China’s high-speed rail linked to boosted EV adoption

One of the major obstacles to widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is range anxiety, which is the fear of running out of battery power before reaching the destination. A poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half of U.S. drivers are concerned about being stranded due to low battery power, preventing them from purchasing an EV. However, new research from China suggests that the key to alleviating these concerns may lie more in trains than in cars.

A study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that China’s focus on expanding high-speed rail networks over the past decade has significantly boosted EV adoption. Regions with accessible and fast rail networks saw the highest increase in EV adoption rates. The study found that high-speed rail networks increased EV sales volume by an average of 91 percent. Unlike in the U.S., range anxiety is less of a concern in China because most residents use EVs for local commuting rather than long-distance travel. The researchers argue that this approach of developing complementary infrastructure, such as high-speed rail alongside EVs, is more effective than solely relying on EV subsidies or mandates. These findings were published in a working paper by the Penn Institute for Economic Research.

Where trains go, EVs follow

China has been one of the leading countries in EV adoption, with EVs accounting for 45 percent of new vehicle purchases by the end of 2024. This is significantly higher compared to the European Union and the U.S., where EVs account for 25 percent and 11 percent of new vehicle purchases, respectively. While the Chinese government has incentivized EV adoption through subsidies and other benefits, similar efforts have been made in other countries. For example, Tesla in the U.S. has received substantial government funding to promote EVs. Countries like Norway and Britain have also planned to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles entirely.

The study analyzed vehicle registration data from 328 Chinese cities from 2010 to 2023 and found a consistent correlation between the presence of high-speed rail networks and EV adoption. China’s extensive high-speed rail network, spanning 45,000 kilometers and connecting 96 percent of cities with populations over 500,000, has facilitated the transition to EVs. Residents can rely on high-speed rail for long-distance travel, reducing the need for EVs with extended ranges. This has allowed Chinese automakers to focus on producing smaller, more affordable EVs compared to other markets.

Lead researcher Hanming Fang emphasized the benefits of complementary infrastructure, noting that the seamless integration of EVs and high-speed rail in China was likely a fortunate coincidence. However, this model could be replicated in other countries to address EV range anxiety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

America’s troubled relationship with trains

Despite the success of China’s model, the U.S. faces challenges in expanding high-speed rail networks due to lobbying efforts from car manufacturers and fossil fuel companies. The U.S. also has a deeply ingrained car culture that hinders the acceptance of commuter trains. Additionally, the decentralized government structure in the U.S. limits the speed at which infrastructure can be developed compared to China.

Related: [US finally breaks ground on its first-ever high-speed rail]

Despite these obstacles, progress is being made in the U.S. Private rail companies have completed high-speed rail projects connecting major cities, such as the line between Orlando and South Florida. Several other high-speed rail projects are underway, including a line from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and a potential connection between Houston and Dallas in Texas.

If these initiatives prove successful, there may be a possibility of more electric vehicles (EVs) entering the market soon.