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Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in China: A Cost–Benefit Analysis

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  • Xu Kuang

    (State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua Automotive Strategy Research Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Fuquan Zhao

    (State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua Automotive Strategy Research Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Han Hao

    (State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua Automotive Strategy Research Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Zongwei Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua Automotive Strategy Research Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

The deployment of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) is regarded as a significant solution to improve road safety, transportation management, and energy efficiency. This study assessed the safety, traffic, environmental, and industrial economic benefits of ICV deployment in China under different scenarios. A bottom-up model was established to deal with these impacts within a unified framework, based on the existing theories and literature of ICVs’ cost–benefit analysis, as well as China’s most recent policies and statistics. The results indicate that the total benefits may reach 13.25 to 24.02 trillion renminbi (RMB) in 2050, while a cumulative benefit–cost ratio of 1.15 to 3.06 suggests high cost-effectiveness. However, if the government and industry only focus on their own interests, the break-even point may be delayed by several years. Hence, an effective business model is necessary to enhance public–private cooperation in ICV implementation. Meanwhile, the savings of travel time costs and fleet labor costs play an important part in all socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, the future design of ICVs should pay more attention to the utilization of in-vehicle time and the real substitution for human drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu Kuang & Fuquan Zhao & Han Hao & Zongwei Liu, 2019. "Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in China: A Cost–Benefit Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-28, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:12:p:3273-:d:239567
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mohammadreza Gholikhani & Seyed Amid Tahami & Mohammadreza Khalili & Samer Dessouky, 2019. "Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting Technology: Key to Sustainability in Transportation Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Zhu, Chaoping & Wang, Xinhao & Fan, Ruguo, 2025. "Research on the production decisions of vehicle enterprises regarding intelligent transformation under the dual credit and cap-and-trade policies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    3. Mohammad A. R. Abdeen & Ansar Yasar & Mohamed Benaida & Tarek Sheltami & Dimitrios Zavantis & Youssef El-Hansali, 2022. "Evaluating the Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles’ Market Penetration on a Complex Urban Freeway during Autonomous Vehicles’ Transition Period," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.

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