Effect of the New Energy Vehicles Pilot Policy on PM2.5 Emissions: Insights from Cities at the Prefecture-Level China

This paper analyzes the impact of the promotion of new energy vehicles on emissions reduction in the context of China's pilot policy on new energy vehicles, which seeks to address this difficulty. We developed a difference-in-difference model in conjunction with the propensity score matching (PSM-DID) method to analyze the impact of the NEVP policy on emissions of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5). Advocating for new energy vehicles has significantly reduced PM2.5 emissions. The cities with higher levels of development, the effect of NEVP policy on PM2.5 emission reduction is more pronounced. Based on the mechanism analysis, new energy vehicles are the main way to reduce PM2.5 emissions to achieve the goal of improving air quality. This research provides empirical evidence supporting the enhancement of environmental standards by advocating for the use of new energy vehicles.