<p>A dominant design for the electric vehicle would propel this technology towards the mass market. Yet, we are not seeing such an overall architectural convergence, nor an emergence of underlying standards for key components related to batteries and charging. We therefore review the literature on electric vehicles and standardization to understand the mechanisms delaying the technology transition towards a more sustainable mobility. We also contrast the identified transition logics, framing, and strategic directions to those of technology in artificial intelligence. We find that the dual economic and environmental goals hinder a reframing of the electric vehicle as a complementary technology to existing mobility solutions. Hence, electric-vehicle initiatives meet combustion-engine incumbents in head-to-head competition. A window of opportunity for a mobility regime shift based on an electric-vehicle standard may, however, be triggered by the climate crisis during an economic upturn. </p>