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How latecomers catch up to build an energy-saving industry: The case of the Chinese electric vehicle industry 1995–2018

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  • Xiong, Jie
  • Zhao, Shuyan
  • Meng, Yan
  • Xu, Lu
  • Kim, Seong-Young

Abstract

This research identifies how windows of opportunity (WOP) emerge and influence the catching up process of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) industry between 1995 and 2018 by analyzing technological, institutional, and market demand elements of the WOP. Our case study indicates that government policies play a vital role. Along with the development of Chinese EV industry, government policies evolve from initiation to consolidation and finally reposition. Meanwhile, WOP emerge but diverge in their patterns; from institutional to technological and finally to the market demand WOP. Our study further elaborates the interplay of the above-mentioned three kinds of WOP, which provide feedback to the government authorities and work jointly to facilitate the catching up of Chinese EV industry. Based on the evidence of the Chinese EV industry, we continue the discussion of the emergence and interplays of WOP during the industrial catching up in latecomer countries like China, who is eager to build an energy-saving industry. Our case study provides a fine-grained analysis of policy evolution and its role in opening the different kinds of WOP, which eventually contribute to the successful catching up of a latecomer industry. It also offers new insights for policymakers when building a sustainable system.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiong, Jie & Zhao, Shuyan & Meng, Yan & Xu, Lu & Kim, Seong-Young, 2022. "How latecomers catch up to build an energy-saving industry: The case of the Chinese electric vehicle industry 1995–2018," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:161:y:2022:i:c:s0301421521005917
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112725
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    2. Khatua, Apalak & Ranjan Kumar, Rajeev & Kumar De, Supriya, 2023. "Institutional enablers of electric vehicle market: Evidence from 30 countries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    3. Charles Lincoln Kenji Yamamura & Harmi Takiya & Cláudia Aparecida Soares Machado & José Carlos Curvelo Santana & José Alberto Quintanilha & Fernando Tobal Berssaneti, 2022. "Electric Cars in Brazil: An Analysis of Core Green Technologies and the Transition Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Lu Xu & Jie Xiong & Jie Yan & Richard Soparnot & Zhe Yuan, 2023. "Technological Uncertainty and Catch-Up Patterns: Insights of Four Chinese Manufacturing Sectors," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-04011634, HAL.
    5. Lee Branstetter & Guangwei Li, 2024. "The Challenges of Chinese Industrial Policy," Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 3(1), pages 77-113.
    6. Yu, Liukai & Zheng, Junjun & Ma, Gang & Jiao, Yangyang, 2023. "Analyzing the evolution trend of energy conservation and carbon reduction in transportation with promoting electrification in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).

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