Evolution and trends of new energy vehicle policy research hotspots: an analysis based on a Citespace knowledge graph

New energy vehicle (NEV) policies involve extensive and complex aspects. NEV policies have been an important issue of academic interest in the academic research community. The current research of the NEV policy has the key significance of inducing experience and guiding the future. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis through quantitative research methods to summarize the development and evolution of NEV policy in recent years. Using Citespace visualization tools, we reviewed 2919 papers collected from the Web of Science, identified three stages in the development of the research field, and summarized features relevant to the policy in history. The most influential countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and references have been examined. Through burst detection and cluster analysis, we analyzed historical trends and trajectories in this area of research. In the data we collected, a number of indicators are related to China, indicating that China’s NEV policy has a representative significance in the field of NEV policy research. Consequently, we further collected the relevant research from China, in order to summarize the policy reasons behind the rapid development of NEVs in China, and help researchers to have a better understanding of the frontiers of NEVs.