The paper examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the global energy transition from hydrocarbon dependence to renewable energy sources, with an emphasis on institutional and economic barriers. The focus is on institutional factors: the role of the carbon tax (including the EU CBAM and the pilot experiment on Sakhalin in the Russian Federation) in correcting market failures (CO2 externalities), the need for government funding in research and development on renewable energy sources (public goods theory, externalities theory by A. Pigou, endogenous growth of P. Romer). The authors investigate patent activity in the Russian Federation, revealing an imbalance. Specifically, there are 129 and 90 patents for electric cars and biofuels, while renewable energy sources have only 17, solar power plants have 15, wind farms have 9, and small hydroelectric power plants have 9. The analysis also indicate a degree of technological underdevelopment. A comparative analysis of  CAPEX/OPEX for electric cars (Honda Kona, Lada Largus) and vehicles with internal combustion engines confirms long-term savings in operating costs (2.75 million rubles over 25 years for Honda; 470 thousand rubles for Lada). There are also infrastructure problems for Lada, including the uneven distribution of 25 to 30 thousand electric cars and 2.5–3 thousand charging stations in the Russian Federation).