Abstract
China’s high economic growth has been accompanied by deteriorating air quality in recent decades. This paper aims to explore the relation between technology innovation (defined as the invention patent counts of each region) of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China and air quality. A panel fixed effect model is used to analyze this relation and the mediating effect methods are used to examine the role of the output of NEVs (defined as the annual production quantity of NEVs in each region (unit: thousand)). The results of our study show: (1) the impact of the technology innovation of NEVs on air quality is positive and statistically significant; (2) the mediating role of the output of NEVs is confirmed in the relation between NEVs innovation and air quality improvement; (3) the technology innovation of NEVs has a more notable impact on the air quality in the regions with higher vehicle and vessel tax (VVT). The present study implicates for the first time that the technology innovation of NEVs can enhance air quality with the mediating role of the output of NEVs and the moderating role of VVT.
Highlights
In recent years, with the rapid development of the economy, the air pollution has increased simultaneously in China [1,2]
vehicle and vessel tax (VVT) can enhance the positive relationship between the technology innovation of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and air quality
This study attempts to quantify the impact that the technology innovation of NEVs has on air quality in China by the mediating role of the output of NEVs and the moderating role of VVT
Summary
With the rapid development of the economy, the air pollution has increased simultaneously in China [1,2]. More and more strategies and tactics have been formulated and implemented in response to air pollution [2]. The improvement of air quality needs the support of government policies and the public’s awareness of environmental protection, and depends on the technology innovation of manufacturing to reduce pollutant emissions [7], because exhaust emission from manufacturing is an important factor that contributes to air pollution [7]. To reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality, China has implemented the policy portfolio about the technology innovation of manufacturing, including the automotive industry as an example in regard to the reduction in exhaust emissions and utilization of clean energy [8]
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