Local Government and Corporate Collaboration in China’s EV Industry: A Central and Local Government Policy Implementation Perspective

Résumé:

Abstract

China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has rapidly emerged as a global leader, challenging established global players and triggering policy responses from other major economies. Much of the existing research emphasizes national-level policy design, yet the role of local governments in interpreting, adapting, and implementing these policies in collaboration with firms remains under-explored. This study investigates how interactions between local and central government bodies, alongside leading domestic firms, have contributed to the rapid development of China’s EV sector.

Drawing on evidence from key EV-producing regions, the study explores how government-business relationships influence technological innovation, market expansion, and green industrial upgrading.

By bridging perspectives from innovation systems theory and political economy, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how industrial policy functions in practice. It underscores the importance of coordination between central strategies and local experimentation. While grounded in the Chinese context, the findings offer broader insights for countries seeking to strengthen strategic industries and meet decarbonization goals through effective public-private collaboration.