Research on the Spatiotemporal Patterns of New Energy Vehicle Promotion Level in China

Exploring the regional disparities in and spatiotemporal evolution of the new energy vehicle promotion level (NEVPL) is essential for facilitating low-carbon and environmentally sustainable development. This study employs a multidimensional index system to assess the NEVPL across 31 Chinese provinces from 2017 to 2023, utilizing data on NEV ownership, annual NEV sales, the number of public charging piles, and the vehicle-to-pile ratio. The NEVPL scores were estimated using the Entropy-TOPSIS method. Spatial patterns and the mechanisms of regional disparities were examined using a suite of spatial analytical techniques, including the standard deviation ellipse (SDE), gravity center analysis, Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, and kernel density estimation. The results reveal three principal findings. First, NEVPL exhibited a sustained upward trend nationwide. The eastern region consistently maintained a leading position, the central and western regions demonstrated steady growth, and the northeastern region remained underdeveloped, leading to an expanding regional gap. Second, spatial distribution transitioned from an early dispersed pattern to a structure characterized by both agglomeration and differentiation. The promotional center gradually shifted toward the southeast, and high-value regions became increasingly isolated, forming island-like clusters. Third, spatial inequality was mainly driven by inter-regional differences, which contributed to over 70 percent of the total variance. The rising intra-regional disparity within the eastern region emerged as the predominant factor widening the national gap. These findings offer empirical evidence to support the refinement of new energy vehicle (NEV) policy frameworks and the promotion of balanced regional development.