Beyond Proximity: Mapping the Inter-City Network and Competition Clubs of the NEV Industry in the Yangtze River Delta Through SNA

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Abstract
Under the dual impact of environmental issues and the energy crisis, new energy vehicles (NEVs) have gradually become a phenomenal emerging industry in China, also essentially becoming a new engine to support the growth of China’s economy. While topics related to the NEV industry have gained widespread attention, there is a lack of studies specifically focusing on the characteristics of its industrial spatial distribution pattern. Based on the data related to NEV-listed companies located in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in 2022, this study constructs the corresponding city network using the method of social network analysis (SNA) and interprets the structural features of this network. The results reveal the following: (1) The network exhibits three fundamental characteristics: low density, short path length, and multiple centers. (2) The NEV industry in the YRD has formed the agglomeration pattern of three major “clubs”, projected on the map in the shape of a “golden bow”. (3) Cities in the YRD show a “pyramid-type” collaboration in the NEV industry. (4) Collaboration between cities in the NEV industry can cross the limits of geographic proximity and even administrative boundaries.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (G2023027008L)
  • Hubei Provincial Social Science Foundation (HBSKJJ20253210)
  • Hubei University of Technology Doctoral Research Initiation (XJ2025001502)

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