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Adapt by adopting cleaner vehicles? — Evidence from a low-emission zone policy in Nanchang, China

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  • Ye, Jingjing
  • Qin, Zhilong
  • Chen, Xiaoguang

Abstract

We study how a low-emission zone (LEZ) policy affects air pollution in Nanchang, a medium-sized city located in southeastern China. By using a regression discontinuity design approach, we find that the LEZ policy improves Nanchang's air quality throughout restricted/unrestricted hours and within/outside of the designated LEZ areas. Air quality began to improve during the announcement period and improved further after the policy was enforced. These findings suggest that drivers could adapt to the foreseen LEZ policy by upgrading their vehicles; thus, to achieve policy effectiveness, it is important to make driving regulations compatible with drivers' incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Ye, Jingjing & Qin, Zhilong & Chen, Xiaoguang, 2021. "Adapt by adopting cleaner vehicles? — Evidence from a low-emission zone policy in Nanchang, China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:66:y:2021:i:c:s1043951x2100016x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2021.101598
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fu, Yifan & Zhong, Shiquan & Ling, Shuai & He, Zhengbing, 2024. "Closing the loophole of vehicle ownership restriction: The impact of non-local vehicle restriction on new vehicle registrations and air pollution," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    3. Shen, Yu & Sun, Wenkai, 2023. "The effect of low-carbon city pilot on energy consumption behavior: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Air pollution; Driving restrictions; LEZ; Announcement effect; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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