Competition and Coordination: Regional Dynamics in the Rise of China’s New Energy Vehicle Industry

Studies on China’s success in the electric vehicle industry overlook the role of regional clustering and regional electric vehicle policies in supporting sustainable production and consumption. This paper adopts a mixed-method policy inventory and analysis to examine the rise of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry in China’s Greater Bay Area. It also systematically analyses the policies implemented by the central government, province, and cities in building a sustainable regional industry. A core dilemma is that cities are competing with one another for NEV development, yet regional industrial development requires coordination and cooperation. Examining the four policy areas of production, consumption, infrastructure support, and pollution suppression reveals that the competition among cities can be a driving force for the adoption of sustainable technology when supported by regional policy coordination.