Abstract:

In both Chinese and U.S. markets, consumers in a handful of cities make up the majority of electric car sales, and a few cities are very successful in promoting electric vehicles. The top 30 cities in electric car market share in both countries contribute to over 70% of the total national electric car market in 2017, while making up approximately 40% of the passenger vehicle sales. This briefing, part one of a two-paper series, compares the market and technological characteristics of electric cars in China and the United States, based on 2015 and 2017 data. It intends to shed light in the uniqueness and similarities in the two market, and show their market characteristics and trends over the three-year period.