What Factors Influence the EV Adoption in China: National Case Analyses
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What Factors Influence the EV Adoption in China: National Case Analyses

Haoze Xie 1*
1 Farragut School
*Corresponding author: xiehaoze2026@163.com
Published on 26 November 2025
Volume Cover
AEMPS Vol.247
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-575-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-576-9
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Abstract

Significant variations in electric vehicle (EV) deployment exist across China. To inform policy for more balanced EV deployment, this paper performs a nationwide analysis to explore influential factors associated with EV deployment. This paper uses a comprehensive province-level dataset covering 2017-2023 on EV stock, charging infrastructure, province-level demographics and economics, and policies, and the author uses a comprehensive multi-model framework (linear, regularized, and machine learning models) that the author validates using cross-validation. Charging infrastructure density, education level, and urbanization rate are the most consistent predictors of EV deployment; Random Forest achieves the best performance in prediction, and policies and economics show limited explanatory variation. Therefore, to achieve a more balanced deployment of EVs, policymakers should focus on investments in charging infrastructure and stations, increasing public understanding of sustainable technologies, and incorporating EV deployment into urban planning, as infrastructure and socio-demographic fundamentals are more explanatory than pure economic or policy measures.

Keywords:

Electric Vehicle Adoption, Spatial Disparities, Charging Infrastructure, China

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Xie,H. (2025). What Factors Influence the EV Adoption in China: National Case Analyses. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,247,1-11.

References

[1]. International Energy Agency. (2025) Global EV Outlook 2025. https: //www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025/trends-in-electric-car-markets-2.

[2]. Irfan, D. and Tang, X. (2025) Evaluating China’s Electric Vehicle Adoption with PESTLE: Stakeholder Perspectives on Sustainability and Adoption Barriers. Sustainability, 17(14), 6258.

[3]. Soltani-Sobh, A., Heaslip, K., Stevanovic, A., Bosworth, R. and Radivojevic, D. (2017) Analysis of the Electric Vehicles Adoption over the United States. Transportation Research Procedia, 22, 203-212.

[4]. Ling, Z., Cherry, C.R. and Wen, Y. (2021) Determining the Factors That Influence Electric Vehicle Adoption: A Stated Preference Survey Study in Beijing, China. Sustainability, 13(21), 11719.

[5]. Coffman, M., Bernstein, P. and Wee, S. (2017) Electric vehicles revisited: a review of factors that affect adoption. Transport Reviews, 37(1), 79-93.

[6]. Liu, H.C., You, X.Y., Xue, Y.X. and Luan, X. (2017) Exploring critical factors influencing the diffusion of electric vehicles in China: A multi-stakeholder perspective. Research in Transportation Economics, 66, 46-58.

[7]. Liu, D. and Xiao, B. (2018) Exploring the development of electric vehicles under policy incentives: A scenario-based system dynamics model. Energy Policy, 120, 8-23.

[8]. Helveston, J.P., Liu, Y., Feit, E. M., Fuchs, E., Klampfl, E. and Michalek, J.J. (2015) Will subsidies drive electric vehicle adoption? Measuring consumer preferences in the U.S. and China. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 73, 96-112.

[9]. Wang, D., Ozden, M. and Tsang, Y.P. (2023) The impact of facilitating conditions on electric vehicle adoption intention in China: An integrated unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 15.

[10]. Sierzchula, W., Bakker, S., Maat, K. and Van Wee, B. (2014) The influence of financial incentives and other socio-economic factors on electric vehicle adoption. Energy Policy, 68, 183-194.

[11]. Winikoff, J.B. (2024) Economic specialization, infrastructure, and rural electric vehicle adoption. Energy Policy, 195, 114380.

[12]. Ma, H., He, B.Y., Kaljevic, T. and Ma, J. (2024) A Two-sided Model for EV Market Dynamics and Policy Implications. Working paper.

[13]. Asensio, O.I., Buckberg, E., Cole, C., Heeney, L., Knittel, C.R. and Stock, J.H. (2024) Charging Uncertainty: Real-Time Charging Data and Electric Vehicle Adoption. Working paper.

[14]. Yuan, H., Ma, M., Zhou, N., Deng, Y., Liu, J. and Zhang, S. (2024) Planning for future EV charging infrastructure: A city-scale assessment. Working paper.

References

[1]. International Energy Agency. (2025) Global EV Outlook 2025. https: //www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025/trends-in-electric-car-markets-2.

[2]. Irfan, D. and Tang, X. (2025) Evaluating China’s Electric Vehicle Adoption with PESTLE: Stakeholder Perspectives on Sustainability and Adoption Barriers. Sustainability, 17(14), 6258.

[3]. Soltani-Sobh, A., Heaslip, K., Stevanovic, A., Bosworth, R. and Radivojevic, D. (2017) Analysis of the Electric Vehicles Adoption over the United States. Transportation Research Procedia, 22, 203-212.

[4]. Ling, Z., Cherry, C.R. and Wen, Y. (2021) Determining the Factors That Influence Electric Vehicle Adoption: A Stated Preference Survey Study in Beijing, China. Sustainability, 13(21), 11719.

[5]. Coffman, M., Bernstein, P. and Wee, S. (2017) Electric vehicles revisited: a review of factors that affect adoption. Transport Reviews, 37(1), 79-93.

[6]. Liu, H.C., You, X.Y., Xue, Y.X. and Luan, X. (2017) Exploring critical factors influencing the diffusion of electric vehicles in China: A multi-stakeholder perspective. Research in Transportation Economics, 66, 46-58.

[7]. Liu, D. and Xiao, B. (2018) Exploring the development of electric vehicles under policy incentives: A scenario-based system dynamics model. Energy Policy, 120, 8-23.

[8]. Helveston, J.P., Liu, Y., Feit, E. M., Fuchs, E., Klampfl, E. and Michalek, J.J. (2015) Will subsidies drive electric vehicle adoption? Measuring consumer preferences in the U.S. and China. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 73, 96-112.

[9]. Wang, D., Ozden, M. and Tsang, Y.P. (2023) The impact of facilitating conditions on electric vehicle adoption intention in China: An integrated unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 15.

[10]. Sierzchula, W., Bakker, S., Maat, K. and Van Wee, B. (2014) The influence of financial incentives and other socio-economic factors on electric vehicle adoption. Energy Policy, 68, 183-194.

[11]. Winikoff, J.B. (2024) Economic specialization, infrastructure, and rural electric vehicle adoption. Energy Policy, 195, 114380.

[12]. Ma, H., He, B.Y., Kaljevic, T. and Ma, J. (2024) A Two-sided Model for EV Market Dynamics and Policy Implications. Working paper.

[13]. Asensio, O.I., Buckberg, E., Cole, C., Heeney, L., Knittel, C.R. and Stock, J.H. (2024) Charging Uncertainty: Real-Time Charging Data and Electric Vehicle Adoption. Working paper.

[14]. Yuan, H., Ma, M., Zhou, N., Deng, Y., Liu, J. and Zhang, S. (2024) Planning for future EV charging infrastructure: A city-scale assessment. Working paper.

Cite this article

Xie,H. (2025). What Factors Influence the EV Adoption in China: National Case Analyses. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,247,1-11.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-BPS 2026 Symposium: GenAI, Labour Markets, and the Economics of Human and Financial Capital

ISBN: 978-1-80590-575-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-576-9(Online)
Editor: Canh Thien Dang
Conference website: https://www.confbps.org/London.html
Conference date: 19 February 2026
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.247
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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