I’m curious about how ICE vehicles are culturally embedded in China or if there is a lack there of. People in the states seem to have “feelings” about electric vs ICE. For instance; “rolling coal” do they do that in China?
China, despite being a major oil producer, is still a net importer [1]. America is a net exporter [2]. To a significant degree, this underlies the cultures' divergent views towards EVs.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_China
[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-poised-become-net...
I asked a few DiDi drivers why they only use EVs. They basically told me that oil is expensive and electricity is cheaper. It's only profitably to drive EVs as DiDis because of that.
China is a net importer of oil.
100% of my DiDi rides in Shenzen and around 80% in rural areas were EVs.
If China could drive EV adoption via gas prices alone, you would think they wouldn't have provided so many incentives for buying EVs.
I suppose there is a difference in driving volume between the average commuter and a DiDi driver. The gas vs electricity price can add up.