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Adopting Strategic Niche Management to Evaluate EV Demonstration Projects in China

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  • Yixi Xue

    (School of Management, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Jianxin You

    (School of Management, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
    School of Economics & Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Xingkun Liang

    (Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK)

  • Hu-Chen Liu

    (School of Management, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China)

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are considered to be a potential viable technology to address the persistent unsustainable problems in transport sector. In this paper, we focus on analyzing the transition processes of EVs in China because the sustainability of developing countries is essential for the worldwide sustainability. The two-round demonstration programs of EVs in China were analyzed by adopting the strategic niche management (SNM) approach so as to find out what niche protection has been provided and which obstacles hamper the further development of EVs. The results show that the financial subsidy is the most important protective measure. However, the diffusion results of EVs in different pilot cities are greatly different. The main reason lies in the uneven geographical landscape. In addition, some obstacles were exposed during the niche internal processes including low quality of expectations and poor alignment within the network. Based on the analysis results, we develop a list of suggestions that are important to consider when developing EVs.

Suggested Citation

  • Yixi Xue & Jianxin You & Xingkun Liang & Hu-Chen Liu, 2016. "Adopting Strategic Niche Management to Evaluate EV Demonstration Projects in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:2:p:142-:d:63338
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    1. Guoqiang Zhang & Yanmei Xu & Juan Zhang, 2016. "Consumer-Oriented Policy towards Diffusion of Electric Vehicles: City-Level Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Liu, Hu-Chen & You, Xiao-Yue & Xue, Yi-Xi & Luan, Xue, 2017. "Exploring critical factors influencing the diffusion of electric vehicles in China: A multi-stakeholder perspective," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 46-58.
    3. Bo Chen & Christophe Midler & Joël Ruet, 2019. "The development of electric vehicles in China: Market facts and regulatory trends," Post-Print hal-03085772, HAL.
    4. Bo Chen & Christophe Midler & Joël Ruet, 2018. "Le développement du véhicule électrique en Chine : réalités du marché et dynamiques réglementaires," Post-Print hal-03085769, HAL.
    5. Waes, Arnoud van & Nikolaeva, Anna & Raven, Rob, 2021. "Challenges and dilemmas in strategic urban experimentationAn analysis of four cycling innovation living labs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    6. Bossink, Bart, 2020. "Learning strategies in sustainable energy demonstration projects: What organizations learn from sustainable energy demonstrations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    7. Chang, Ruidong & Cao, Yuan & Lu, Yujie & Shabunko, Veronika, 2019. "Should BIPV technologies be empowered by innovation policy mix to facilitate energy transitions? - Revealing stakeholders' different perspectives using Q methodology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 307-318.
    8. Ling Ding & Di Cao & Taohua Ouyang & Jin-xi Wu, 2018. "Promoting the Development of Enterprise Niche: Case Study on China’s Organizational Ambidexterity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-14, October.

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