Purpose This study aims to investigate the structural imbalance between basic and applied electric vehicle (EV) research in Brazil through the analytical lens of the multi-level perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions. The authors argue that this imbalance is a critical indicator of niche maturity and its potential to disrupt the incumbent internal combustion engine (ICE) regime. Design/methodology/approach A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted of 408 Brazilian EV articles indexed in Scopus (as of March 2024). Articles were classified as basic or applied research based on journal subject area – a reproducible proxy validated through inter-coder reliability testing. The validation showed fair agreement (κ= 0.34) and, crucially, perfect precision in identifying applied research, confirming the proxy’s utility for large-scale mapping while highlighting the prevalence of use-inspired research in technical outlets. Findings The analysis reveals a stark quantitative imbalance: 307 articles are classified as basic research, compared with only 43 as applied research (approximately 7:1). This disparity signals a research niche that is academically robust but structurally decoupled from the incumbent automotive regime, exhibiting strong technical publication but weak industry-linked, problem-oriented knowledge production. Research limitations/implications Reliance on the Scopus database and journal-level classification may introduce coverage and categorization biases. Future studies should use multi-database approaches and article-level content analysis. Practical implications To rebalance the research portfolio, they propose mission-oriented funding calls that require university-industry collaboration, reforms to academic incentives and industrial policy instruments to stimulate demand for applied EV knowledge. They also suggest specific metrics to monitor progress. Social implications Bridging the basic-applied gap can enhance the societal impact of EV research by supporting sustainable mobility, reducing urban pollution and advancing a more inclusive energy transition in Brazil. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first quantitative diagnosis of Brazil’s EV research imbalance. Its originality lies in developing and validating a journal-level proxy to classify research orientation in a national EV portfolio; interpreting bibliometric structure through the MLP as a diagnostic of socio-technical transition readiness; and translating these findings into evidence-based, operational policy recommendations and monitoring metrics tailored to Brazil’s MOVER Program.
Masiero et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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