IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v12y2025i1d10.1057_s41599-025-05829-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Localization to globalization: the spatial logic of dual circulation and its driving factors in China’s battery electric vehicle industry

Author

Listed:
  • Ziyun Ruan

    (Liaoning Normal University)

  • Yanan Jiao

    (Liaoning Normal University)

  • Jiaze Sun

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Anna Yu

    (Shanghai University of International Business and Economics)

  • Ailing Wu

    (Ningbo University of Finance and Economics)

  • Peng Du

    (Liaoning Normal University)

Abstract

To achieve the goals of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” and promote high-quality economic development, China is vigorously developing new energy and strategic emerging industries. Based on the enterprises, customs trade data from 2000 to 2022, this study applies kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, and spatial Durbin model to discuss the battery electric vehicle (BEV) industry’s spatial organization pattern in China and worldwide, along with the characteristics of its development stage and driving factors. The results demonstrated that: (1) from internal circulation (ICI), China's BEV industry’s inter-firm linkages are spatially heterogeneous, multinuclear, with increasingly indicated characteristics of “large dispersion and small agglomeration”. (2) From external circulation (ECI), the BEV industry shows notable path dependence and agglomeration effects. Upstream imports are highly dependent on lithium-rich countries. Midstream export is active, with more trade-advantage regions than trade-disadvantage regions. Downstream supply and demand are growing, and its exports are on an upward trajectory. (3) From dual circulation (DCI), the organizational structure presents a network pattern with the eastern coastal region serving as the nucleus of commodity trading. The main drivers for industrial spatial organization have progressively transformed from being policy-driven to a multi-dimensional focus on technology and market. (4) Economic development, industrial structure and technological innovation have significantly influenced the spatial distribution of China’s BEV industry and propelled the evolution of global BEV trade patterns. This research illustrates the fundamental principles regarding the spatial organization of China’s BEV industry, clarifies each region’s status within DCI, and promotes the green and low-carbonization of economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziyun Ruan & Yanan Jiao & Jiaze Sun & Anna Yu & Ailing Wu & Peng Du, 2025. "Localization to globalization: the spatial logic of dual circulation and its driving factors in China’s battery electric vehicle industry," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05829-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05829-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-025-05829-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-025-05829-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rong, Ke & Shi, Yongjiang & Shang, Tianjiao & Chen, Yantai & Hao, Han, 2017. "Organizing business ecosystems in emerging electric vehicle industry: Structure, mechanism, and integrated configuration," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 234-247.
    2. Krugman, Paul, 1991. "Increasing Returns and Economic Geography," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(3), pages 483-499, June.
    3. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Hussain, Jafar, 2022. "Carbon neutral sustainability and green development during energy consumption," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    4. Zheng, Xiao & Li, Wenbo & Cui, Ke & Cheng, Xiu & Huang, Jiaxin, 2025. "Reevaluating the impact of new energy vehicles: A vehicle substitution pattern analysis on comprehensive emission reduction effects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    5. Hu, Jia-Wei & Javaid, Aneeque & Creutzig, Felix, 2021. "Leverage points for accelerating adoption of shared electric cars: Perceived benefits and environmental impact of NEVs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    6. Yu, Zhen & Wang, Yilan & Ma, Xiaoqian & Shuai, Chuanmin & Zhao, Yujia, 2023. "How critical mineral supply security affects China NEVs industry? Based on a prediction for chromium and cobalt in 2030," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    7. Zhang, Zhaoguo & Jin, Xiaocui & Yang, Qingxiang & Zhang, Yi, 2013. "An empirical study on the institutional factors of energy conservation and emissions reduction: Evidence from listed companies in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 36-42.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Davenport, Sally, 2005. "Exploring the role of proximity in SME knowledge-acquisition," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 683-701, June.
    2. Marcel Bednarz & Tom Broekel, 2020. "Pulled or pushed? The spatial diffusion of wind energy between local demand and supply," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 29(4), pages 893-916.
    3. Ingrid Ott & Susanne Soretz, 2006. "Governmental activity, integration, and agglomeration," Working Paper Series in Economics 57, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    4. Sidney Turner & Richard Turner, 2011. "Capital cities: a special case in urban development," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 46(1), pages 19-35, February.
    5. Agarwalla, Astha, 2011. "Agglomeration Economies and Productivity Growth in India," IIMA Working Papers WP2011-01-08, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    6. Masashige Hamano & Pierre M. Picard, 2017. "Extensive and intensive margins and exchange rate regimes," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 50(3), pages 804-837, August.
    7. Michael Beenstock & Daniel Felsenstein, 2003. "Decomposing the Dynamics of Regional Earnings Disparities in Israel," ERSA conference papers ersa03p90, European Regional Science Association.
    8. Catherine Baumont, 1995. "Urban economics and endogenous dynamics in regional growth [Economies d'agglomération et dynamique endogène de croissance des régions]," Working Papers hal-01527237, HAL.
    9. Emanuela Marrocu & Raffaele Paci & Stefano Usai, 2013. "Productivity Growth In The Old And New Europe: The Role Of Agglomeration Externalities," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(3), pages 418-442, August.
    10. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/6493 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Klaus Desmet & Esteban Rossi‐Hansberg, 2010. "On Spatial Dynamics," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 43-63, February.
    12. Dynnikova, O. & Kyobe, A. & Slavov, S., 2022. "Regional disparities and fiscal federalism in Russia," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 55(3), pages 102-138.
    13. Chen, Yufeng & Ni, Liangfu & Liu, Kelong, 2021. "Does China's new energy vehicle industry innovate efficiently? A three-stage dynamic network slacks-based measure approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    14. Yang, Yong, 2012. "Agglomeration density and tourism development in China: An empirical research based on dynamic panel data model," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1347-1359.
    15. Yan, Sen & Sun, Xinyu & Zhang, Yurong, 2024. "High-speed railway ripples on the greenness: Insight from urban green vegetation cover," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    16. David Greenaway & Johan Torstensson, 2000. "Economic Geography, Comparative Advantage and Trade within Industries: Evidence from the OECD," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 15, pages 260-280.
    17. Elena Lasarte Navamuel & Fernando Rubiera Moroll & Dusan Paredes, 2014. "City size and household food consumption: demand elasticities in Spain," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(14), pages 1624-1641, May.
    18. Carsten Eckel & Florian Unger, 2023. "Credit Constraints, Endogenous Innovations, And Price Setting In International Trade," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(4), pages 1715-1747, November.
    19. Ruofan Liao & Zhengtao Chen & Jirakom Sirisrisakulchai & Jianxu Liu, 2025. "Enhancing Rural Economic Sustainability in China Through Agricultural Socialization Services: A Novel Perspective on Spatial-Temporal Dynamics," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, January.
    20. Rolf Bergs, 2021. "Spatial dependence in the rank-size distribution of cities – weak but not negligible," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, February.
    21. Giri, Rahul, 2012. "Local costs of distribution, international trade costs and micro evidence on the law of one price," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 82-100.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05829-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/palcomms/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.