Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China
Electric vehicles (EVs) are regarded as a key low-carbon technology to address sustainability challenges like climate change and air pollution. However, the real-world environmental impacts resulting from rapid EV adoption remain uncertain. This study develops a theoretical framework to quantify the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1276382/full |
| _version_ | 1797361319485112320 |
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| author | Peiyao Lu Shigeyuki Hamori Li Sun Shuairu Tian |
| author_facet | Peiyao Lu Shigeyuki Hamori Li Sun Shuairu Tian |
| author_sort | Peiyao Lu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electric vehicles (EVs) are regarded as a key low-carbon technology to address sustainability challenges like climate change and air pollution. However, the real-world environmental impacts resulting from rapid EV adoption remain uncertain. This study develops a theoretical framework to quantify the impacts of EV adoption on energy consumption, carbon emissions, and air quality. Then we empirically investigates the influence of surging EV uptake in China using provincial panel data from 2015 to 2020. Our results indicate that increased EV stocks significantly reduced gasoline consumption but boosted coal-based power demand, shifting emissions and air pollutants from transportation to the electricity sector rather than yielding absolute reductions. We find important regional heterogeneity based on differences in grid generation profiles. In provinces more reliant on coal power, the environmental impacts were more severe. The findings also reveal a spatial spillover effect, with emissions transferred from net power-importing regions to exporters. Overall, the rapid EV transition alone appears insufficient to guarantee emissions cuts and environmental gains. Complementary efforts across sectors are essential to align industrial promotion with sustainability objectives. The empirical evidence informs integrated policy design and metrics to maximize decarbonization as EVs are deployed globally. Future research can build on this study by expanding geographical scope, incorporating projections, adopting a multi-disciplinary lens, leveraging microdata, and applying cutting-edge analytical techniques. Pursuing these directions will further advance knowledge on sustainable EV transitions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:52:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f37ec28ef05d41a6a9cbea2f87cc5394 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:52:12Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-f37ec28ef05d41a6a9cbea2f87cc53942024-01-09T04:27:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2024-01-011110.3389/fenvs.2023.12763821276382Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from ChinaPeiyao Lu0Shigeyuki Hamori1Li Sun2Shuairu Tian3Business School, Lishui University, Lishui, ChinaGraduate School of Economics, Kobe University, Kobe, JapanResearch Center of Finance, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai, ChinaResearch Center of Finance, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai, ChinaElectric vehicles (EVs) are regarded as a key low-carbon technology to address sustainability challenges like climate change and air pollution. However, the real-world environmental impacts resulting from rapid EV adoption remain uncertain. This study develops a theoretical framework to quantify the impacts of EV adoption on energy consumption, carbon emissions, and air quality. Then we empirically investigates the influence of surging EV uptake in China using provincial panel data from 2015 to 2020. Our results indicate that increased EV stocks significantly reduced gasoline consumption but boosted coal-based power demand, shifting emissions and air pollutants from transportation to the electricity sector rather than yielding absolute reductions. We find important regional heterogeneity based on differences in grid generation profiles. In provinces more reliant on coal power, the environmental impacts were more severe. The findings also reveal a spatial spillover effect, with emissions transferred from net power-importing regions to exporters. Overall, the rapid EV transition alone appears insufficient to guarantee emissions cuts and environmental gains. Complementary efforts across sectors are essential to align industrial promotion with sustainability objectives. The empirical evidence informs integrated policy design and metrics to maximize decarbonization as EVs are deployed globally. Future research can build on this study by expanding geographical scope, incorporating projections, adopting a multi-disciplinary lens, leveraging microdata, and applying cutting-edge analytical techniques. Pursuing these directions will further advance knowledge on sustainable EV transitions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1276382/fullelectric vehicleenergy consumptioncarbon emissionair pollutionsustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Peiyao Lu Shigeyuki Hamori Li Sun Shuairu Tian Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China Frontiers in Environmental Science electric vehicle energy consumption carbon emission air pollution sustainable development goals |
| title | Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China |
| title_full | Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China |
| title_fullStr | Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China |
| title_short | Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals?—evidence from China |
| title_sort | does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals evidence from china |
| topic | electric vehicle energy consumption carbon emission air pollution sustainable development goals |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1276382/full |
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