How do government subsidies promote new energy vehicle diffusion in the complex network context? A three-stage evolutionary game model

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2021-09, Vol.230, p.120899-120899, Article 120899
• Main Authors: Zhao, Dan, Ji, Shou-feng, Wang, He-ping, Jiang, Li-wen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complex network; Coronaviruses; Cournot equilibrium; COVID-19; Diffusion; Diffusion effects; Diffusion rate; Energy; Government subsidies; Indirect evolutionary game theory; Network topologies; NEV diffusion; Subsidies; Subsidy; Sustainable development; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120899

In order to cope with the impact of current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the continued extension of financial subsidy period for new energy vehicles at the national level is a strong measure to support the sustainable development of new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. This paper further explores the promotion impact of government subsidies on NEV diffusion, and establishes a three-stage evolutionary game model. Based on the actual application, the NEV diffusion process is simulated in four kinds of authoritative networks. Results show that: (1) in the scale-free network, the subsidy rate must be high enough to promote full NEV diffusion, and the larger the network scale, the higher the threshold of subsidy rate; (2) in the small-world network, the larger the network scale, the more beneficial it is for full NEV diffusion; (3) for the small-scale network, topological characteristics have little effect on NEV diffusion depth, and only affect the speed when NEV diffusion reaches the stable state; (4) for the large-scale network, NEV diffusion in the scale-free network is more sensitive to the subsidy rate than that in the small-world network; (5) network topologies influencing NEV diffusion can be divided into two priorities. Finally, relevant policy recommendations are presented. •A three-stage evolutionary game model for NEV diffusion is developed.•Impact of subsidies on NEV diffusion is analyzed from diffusion depth and speed.•The NEV diffusion process is simulated in four kinds of authoritative networks.•Network topologies influencing NEV diffusion are divided into two priorities.•The network structure exhibiting the best performance in NEV diffusion is found.