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China's leapfrogging in electromobility. A story of green transformation driving catch-up and competitive advantage

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  • Altenburg, Tilman
  • Corrocher, Nicoletta
  • Malerba, Franco

Abstract

For several decades, China tried to catch up in the automotive industry, yet until recently with little success. Now, the paradigm shift from internal combustion to electric driving has opened a window of opportunity to catch up with global competitors. The Chinese government provided a strong policy push to become a lead market, allowing firms to accumulate technological capabilities and increasingly turn into lead manufacturers. This paper combines patent data and qualitative analyses of subsector trends to assess the technological capabilities and the international competitiveness of the Chinese industry in electromobility. We find that the country is indeed leapfrogging ahead in some domains (electric buses, lithium batteries) and rapidly catching up in others, including passenger vehicles. Ambitious green transformation policies can thus spur catch-up and competitiveness.

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  • Altenburg, Tilman & Corrocher, Nicoletta & Malerba, Franco, 2022. "China's leapfrogging in electromobility. A story of green transformation driving catch-up and competitive advantage," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:183:y:2022:i:c:s004016252200436x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Chen, Yiyao & Jiang, Fuwei & Zhang, Huajing, 2026. "Central bank green communication and pollution premium: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    3. Perri, Alessandra & Silvestri, Daniela & Zirpoli, Francesco, 2025. "Technological change, incumbent dominance, and knowledge base evolution in multi-technology industries: A patent analysis of the global automotive sector," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(9).
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    6. Zhu, Pengyu & Wang, Zining & Singh, Renu & Tan, Xinying, 2026. "China's model of technology leapfrog: A case study of electric vehicle policies and the development of green technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PD).

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