The Current Dilemma and Future Path of China’s Electric Vehicles

TLDR

China set ambitious EV targets to curb pollution, yet progress lags; early development stresses selecting appropriate charging modes, and hybrid or low‑speed EVs could accelerate market entry, especially in rural areas. The study aims to identify and analyze four key impediments to EV development—deficient subsidies, a weak market, local protectionism, and mismatched charging infrastructure—and to propose policy solutions and an alternative roadmap. The authors conduct a qualitative analysis of these four contributors, categorizing them and assessing their impact on EV adoption. They conclude that rational policies from central and local governments are essential to drive EV uptake, and that targeted measures addressing subsidies, market dynamics, protectionism, and infrastructure can accelerate the transition.

Abstract

China had set an ambitious development target of electric vehicles (EVs) to mitigate the environmental pollution. However, the actual situation of EVs far lagged behind the goals. This paper analyzes the elements impeding EVs’ development, which are identified into four contributors, including deficient EV subsidy policies, embarrassed EV market, local protectionism, and unmatched charging infrastructure. Based on the actual situation of China, this paper discusses corresponding policy suggestions and explores the alternative roadmap of EVs. In the initial development stage of EVs, it is important to select the appropriate charging mode for EVs according to different characteristics across users. Moreover, the development of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) may open the EV market faster than battery electric vehicle (BEV). In addition, the low-speed EVs may be a good choice for the rural market and should be well developed. With the promotion of EVs, China central and local governments should make rational policies to promote EVs’ development, which is the crucial force to drive the uptake of EVs.