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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

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?

JumpCrisscross 3y ago
> curious about how ICE vehicles are culturally embedded in China or if there is a lack there of 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 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_China [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-poised-become-net-exporter-crude-oil-2023-2022-12-19/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-poised-become-net...
- aurareturn 3y ago
  You don't need to go that far. Just look at EV culture between California vs Texas.
seanmcdirmid 3y ago
Chinese cities like Beijing have quotas on how many cars Beijingers can buy/drive. The quota is more open to EVs, so you'll see a lot of Beijingers buying EVs because they simply can't win the lottery to buy an ICE (and don't want to wait to do so). Many cities have similar regulations as Beijing, so its not really a "cultural preference" as much as it is "I need a car, and EV is the only one I can get now."
- aurareturn 3y ago
  I think it's simpler than that. 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.
  - seanmcdirmid 3y ago
    I haven't taken a Didi since 2016, so my direct experience is way out of date, but I assume it would still be very regional. In Beijing, at least, it is hard to buy a new ICE car given the lottery, it is much easier to buy an EV. Maybe gas prices also have a role in it, but you really can't discount the lottery. If China could drive EV adoption via gas prices alone, you would think they wouldn't have provided so many incentives for buying EVs.
    - aurareturn 3y ago
      >If China could drive EV adoption via gas prices a lone, 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.
      - seanmcdirmid 3y ago
        But it really must go beyond gas prices, or the Toyota Prius, which has been around for 10+ years now, would be and would have been more popular in China. Chinese gas prices have always been high (much higher than the USA) while taxi/ride share prices have always been low (much lower than the USA).

JumpCrisscross 3y ago

> curious about how ICE vehicles are culturally embedded in China or if there is a lack there of 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 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_China [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-poised-become-net-exporter-crude-oil-2023-2022-12-19/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-poised-become-net...

aurareturn 3y ago
You don't need to go that far. Just look at EV culture between California vs Texas.

seanmcdirmid 3y ago

Chinese cities like Beijing have quotas on how many cars Beijingers can buy/drive. The quota is more open to EVs, so you'll see a lot of Beijingers buying EVs because they simply can't win the lottery to buy an ICE (and don't want to wait to do so). Many cities have similar regulations as Beijing, so its not really a "cultural preference" as much as it is "I need a car, and EV is the only one I can get now."

aurareturn 3y ago
I think it's simpler than that. 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.
- seanmcdirmid 3y ago
  I haven't taken a Didi since 2016, so my direct experience is way out of date, but I assume it would still be very regional. In Beijing, at least, it is hard to buy a new ICE car given the lottery, it is much easier to buy an EV. Maybe gas prices also have a role in it, but you really can't discount the lottery. If China could drive EV adoption via gas prices alone, you would think they wouldn't have provided so many incentives for buying EVs.
  - aurareturn 3y ago
    >If China could drive EV adoption via gas prices a lone, 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.
    - seanmcdirmid 3y ago
      But it really must go beyond gas prices, or the Toyota Prius, which has been around for 10+ years now, would be and would have been more popular in China. Chinese gas prices have always been high (much higher than the USA) while taxi/ride share prices have always been low (much lower than the USA).