Welfare analysis of the subsidies in the Chinese electric vehicle industry*

Abstract

We employ a structural model and counterfactual analysis to identify the impact of subsidies on the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) sales and examine their welfare effects. Our findings suggest that subsidies are effective in promoting the diffusion of domestic EVs, but may adversely affect technological advancement. When the subsidies on domestic EVs are reduced, the welfare on domestic EV consumers and producers decreases. However, the reduction in government spending on EV subsidies outweighs this private welfare loss. Thus, the overall welfare increases. Subsidies cannot be justified from the perspective of reducing externalities because they increase rather than decrease pollution.