Nina Lin
Research Mentor: Bruce Belzowski
Mentor Department: Automotive Futures, Other
Author(s): Nina Lin
Session: Session 4 (1:00 PM – 1:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 39
Abstract
Despite rapid global growth in electric vehicle adoption, there is still limited research done on the role of charging infrastructure in shaping consumer confidence and market expansion, particularly in China. While China has emerged as the world’s largest EV market, much of the existing literature focuses on manufacturing scale, subsidies, or battery technology, leaving the development and structure of charging infrastructure comparatively underexplored. This study seeks to fill that gap by exploring how China’s extensive EV charging network has supported its rapid adoption of electric vehicles. It examines the relationship between the expansion of charging infrastructure and EV uptake, highlighting the combined roles of public and private investment, government policy incentives, and regional differences in infrastructure availability. Drawing on national and regional data, the research analyzes how the large-scale rollout of public charging stations, their integration into urban planning, and incentives for private charging installations help reduce range anxiety and encourage consumers to adopt EVs. The study pays particular attention to disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as between coastal and inland provinces, to understand how uneven infrastructure development influences adoption patterns. The findings indicate that China’s coordinated approach, marked by strong state leadership, active private-sector participation, and flexible, locally tailored policies, has been a key driver of its EV market growth.
