Low Carbon Innovation in Chinese Urban Mobility: Prospects, Politics and Practices David Tyfield, Dennis Zuev, Ping Li and John Urry E-Mobility China Low Carbon Report 3 Low Carbon Innovation in Chinese Urban About China Low Carbon Reports Mobility: Prospects, Politics and Practices The project ‘Low Carbon Innovation in China: Prospects, Politics and Practice’ is led from Lancaster University and is a collaboration between British and Chinese researchers to investigate different China represents a test-case of global significance regarding the models of innovation and their potential role in low carbon challenges of urban mobility transition to more sustainable models. transitions. The China Low Carbon Reports detail the project’s The country not only suffers the effects of air pollution, urban activities and findings in order to inform research and policy at gridlock and more, but also is the site of significant government and national and international levels. Further information on this corporate innovation efforts focused on the development of electric STEPS Centre affiliate project is available on the website vehicles (EVs). At the same time, the lower-technology electric http://steps-centre.org/project/low-carbon-china/ two-wheeler (E2W) has emerged as a global market entirely dominated by small Chinese firms and their Chinese customers. This Follow us on Twitter: @Lowcarbonchina report explores the relevant literature around urban electric mobility transitions in China and describes the project’s research approach, arguing that, despite the disappointment to date regarding EVs, the About the STEPS Centre evidence shows a highly dynamic and geographically diverse situation in China, yet one in which a successful urban mobility The STEPS Centre (Social, Technological and Environmental transition as currently envisaged remains improbable. Pathways to Sustainability) is an interdisciplinary global research and policy engagement hub that unites development studies with science and technology studies. Our pathways approach aims to link new theory with practical solutions that create better livelihoods, About the Authors health and social justice for poor and marginalised people. The David Tyfield is a Reader in Environmental Innovation & Sociology STEPS Centre is based at the Institute of Development Studies and at the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University.He is SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit) at the University of Sussex, Director of the International Research and Innovation Centre for with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America. the Environment (I-RICE), Guangzhou (a joint initiative with CAS www.steps-centre.org Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry) and Co-Director of the Centre for Mobilities Research (CeMoRe). Follow us on Twitter @stepscentre Dennis Zuev is Research Associate at Lancaster University, Centre for Mobilities Research (CeMoRe), Lancaster, UK. Currently For more STEPS Centre publications visit: his research focuses on social processes related to urban mobility in China and specifically on linkages between politics, everyday life and www.steps-centre.org/publications e-mobility practices. Ping Li is an associate professor of Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, China. He is also a visiting research fellow at Papers in the Series: SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit in 2014. His fields of interests 69 Low-Carbon Innovation in China: Prospects, Politics and Practices are innovation for sustainability and mobility transition. 70 Pathways Towards Renewable Energy in China: John Urry is Director of CeMoRe - the Centre for Mobilities Research Prospects, Politics and Practices and Distinguished Professor at Lancaster University. He is a Fellow and former member of the Executive of the Academy of Social 71 Low Carbon Innovation in Chinese Urban Mobility: Sciences, founding co-editor of Mobilities and was a member of Prospects, Politics and Practices the Scientific Advisory Committee of UNESCO’s 2013 World Social 72 Pathways Towards Sustainable Maize Production and Science Report. Consumption in China: Prospects, Politics and Practices IDS_Master Logo This is one of a series of Working Papers from the STEPS Centre www.steps-centre.org. ISBN 978-1-78118-199-7 © STEPS 2014 Low Carbon Innovation in Chinese Urban Mobility: Prospects, Politics and Practices David Tyfield, Dennis Zuev, Li Ping and John Urry STEPS Working Paper 71 Correct citation: Tyfield, D., Zuev, D., Ping, L. and Urry, J. (2014) Low Carbon Innovation in Chinese Urban Mobility: Prospects, Politics and Practices, STEPS Working Paper 71, Brighton: STEPS Centre First published in 2014 © STEPS 2014 Some rights reserved – see copyright license for details ISBN: 978-1-78118-199-7 For further information please contact: STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE Tel: +44 (0) 1273915673; Email: [email protected]; web: www.steps-centre.org STEPS Centre publications are published under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non-Commercial – No Derivative Works 3.0 UK: England & Wales License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- nd/3.0/legalcode) Attribution: You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor. Non-commercial: You may not use this work for commercial purposes. No Derivative Works: You may not alter, transfer, or build on this work. 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Contents Figures ......................................................................................................................................................ii Tables .......................................................................................................................................................ii Boxes ........................................................................................................................................................ii Acronymns ............................................................................................................................................... iii Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... v Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Powering the global green transition ........................................................................................... 2 1.2 China's environmental governance and the challenge of transition ............................................ 2 1.3 Sustainability challenges in Chinese urban mobility ..................................................................... 5 2. Electric Vehicles, Mobilities and Power ............................................................................................ 11 2.1 Prospects ..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2: Politics ........................................................................................................................................ 25 Producers ...............................................................................................................................26 Users ......................................................................................................................................29 2.3 Social Practices ............................................................................................................................ 32 Charging .................................................................................................................................35 Distance and demand ............................................................................................................37 Elites ......................................................................................................................................38 Gender ...................................................................................................................................38 3. Electric 2-Wheelers, Mobilities and Power ....................................................................................... 40 3.1 Prospects ..................................................................................................................................... 40 3.2 Politics ..............................................................................................................................44 3.3 Social Practices ................................................................................................................49 4. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 50 References ............................................................................................................................................. 52 i Figures Figure 1.1: