EVs: Green Savior or Just a Hoax?

As someone who has been studying abroad in the United States since eighth grade, my annual summer trips back to Beijing have gradually become a ritual of rediscovery. Each visit reveals a city in flux: new malls sprouting out of nowhere, familiar restaurants replaced, and policies shifting occasionally. However, among all these changes, one has been particularly noticeable—the sudden explosion of electric vehicles (EVs) on Beijing's streets.

I still vividly remember the first time my dad and I encountered an EV silently gliding past us. He laughed dismissively, comparing its faint hum to that of an electric beard trimmer. To him, the soul of a car is in the loud rumbling of its engine, which electric vehicles simply cannot replicate. This opinion is widely held, as many people still enjoy the sensory experience of traditional gasoline-powered cars when they press their feet against the throttle.

Despite this emotional attachment, the data tell a compelling story. In 2024 alone, China recorded sales of 12.87 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids. This marked a dramatic 35.5% increase compared to the previous year, making up almost 41% of the nation's total vehicle sales. The increase reflects not only rising consumer demand but also China's strong commitment to electrification, which is fueled by significant government subsidies and a highly profitable domestic EV market.

However, the situation is much more complicated than it appears to be. One major concern is where the electricity in these vehicles actually comes from. In 2024, coal continued to generate around 58% of China's electricity. As a result, in many regions, the EVs touted as environmentally friendly are actually effectively running on fossil fuels. It might sound ironic, but at the end of the day, it's similar to washing your hands with muddy water: your intentions are good, but the outcome sadly falls short of what you had hoped for.

Still, there's reason for optimism as China is actively advancing its renewable energy programs. In 2024, the government added 277 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 79 GW of wind capacity, increasing the total renewable energy capacity to more than 1,400 GW. As clean energy infrastructure expands, EVs will hopefully be able to truly deliver on their promise of environmental sustainability.

Yet, going all in, like in poker on EVs, ignores other important components of sustainable transportation. Investments in public transportation, pedestrian city planning, and bicycle infrastructure are often overlooked, even though they provide higher efficiency and broader benefits. A 2024 study from Tsinghua University highlighted that investments in EVs have outpaced those in public transportation despite the latter's higher energy efficiency per passenger kilometer.

Given these facts, what steps should China take to address climate change comprehensively and effectively?

First and foremost, to fully use the climatic potential of EVs, China needs to speed up its transition to renewable energy. This involves accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired power facilities, increasing grid-scale storage, and improving the integration of solar and wind energy into the national grid. Without these improvements, EVs' environmental benefits will be limited.

Second, the government must adopt a more balanced transport policy. Subsidies should increasingly support not just EV buyers but also public transportation systems, bike-share networks, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Electrifying buses and taxis, which produce far more emissions per vehicle than private cars, is especially urgent.

Third, the public must be part of the transition. The narrative needs to shift from individual car ownership, even electric, to shared, smart, and sustainable mobility. That means education campaigns, better urban planning, and pricing strategies like congestion charges or emissions-based vehicle taxes.

EVs represent progress on the journey toward sustainability, but unfortunately, they are not a panacea. Reflecting on my experiences between life in the U.S. and my summers in Beijing, I'm increasingly convinced that true sustainability requires integrating technological progress with thoughtful cultural and structural transformation. Only then can China and the world shift from surface-level fixes to lasting, meaningful change.