Study on the Spatial Pattern and Influencing Factors of China’s New Energy Vehicle Industry—Based on Data of Relevant Listed Companies from 2008–2021

Abstract

As a pillar industry carrying China’s ambition in manufacturing upgrades and energy transformation, the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has received much attention from the government and investment institutions. The spatial pattern of the industry, which is undergoing dramatic changes, urgently needs to be studied retrospectively. This paper explores the spatial distribution pattern of related industries and their influencing factors using data related to NEV industry listed companies from 2008 to 2021. Spatial statistical analysis and stepwise regression analysis were conducted in this study. At the national level, the study found that an “8” industrial axis was formed, with the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei city cluster as the core. At the provincial level, it was found that the traditional auto industry-dominant regions do not have a competitive advantage in the NEV field. After stepwise regression of the potential factors, five key factors determining the number of listed NEV enterprises in each province were identified, namely, policy strength, patents, per capita wage, tertiary industry share, and road density. The research results improve the understanding of NEV industry development rules in related disciplines and provide a reference for the spatial arrangement of the NEV industry to be coordinated and optimized at the regional level.