High-Speed Rail and EVs Power China’s Green Leap Forward, Says CUHK Business School Study

HONG KONG, October 22, 2025 — A groundbreaking study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School has revealed that China’s extensive high-speed rail (HSR) network has played a crucial yet underappreciated role in accelerating the country’s global dominance in electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

According to the research, titled “High-Speed Rail and China’s Electric Vehicle Adoption Miracle,” the expansion of China’s HSR network contributed to nearly one-third of the total increase in EV adoption between 2010 and 2023. This synergy between mass transport infrastructure and personal mobility is providing fresh insights into how coordinated public and private investment can amplify the pace of decarbonisation.

Rail Connectivity and the EV Confidence Boost

While government subsidies, industrial policy, and technological innovation have long been recognised as drivers of EV adoption, the CUHK study highlights a less explored link — the psychological and logistical relationship between rail connectivity and range anxiety.

“Consumers often cite range anxiety as a key deterrent to purchasing EVs,” said Professor Zoe Yang Yang, Associate Professor at CUHK Business School’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, who led the research. “The expansion of the high-speed rail system is one of the main reasons for the increase in EV market share and sales in China. Our data indicates that high-speed rail connectivity can explain up to one-third of the total increase during our sample period.”

The study found that as high-speed rail coverage expanded to more than 300 mainland cities, EV adoption surged in areas that gained new connections. “The extensive and well-integrated high-speed rail system offers an efficient option for long-distance travel, allowing consumers to use EVs primarily for shorter commutes without concern over battery range,” Professor Yang explained.

Reinforcing Infrastructure Synergies

The report also observed a positive feedback loop between rail development, EV ownership, and the supporting charging infrastructure. As more consumers purchased EVs, demand for charging stations grew, strengthening urban mobility networks and further encouraging adoption.

“While the high-speed rail connection enhances early EV adoption by alleviating consumers’ range anxiety, the larger consumer base creates an agglomeration effect and further fosters the construction of charging stations — and the two jointly benefit future consumers,” Professor Yang said.

The study’s authors noted that these effects were amplified when paired with government incentives, renewable energy policies, and local EV subsidies, suggesting that infrastructure alignment — not just financial support — is key to scaling the transition to clean mobility.

Lessons for Policymakers Worldwide

The findings carry broad implications for other economies seeking to accelerate EV uptake. According to Professor Yang, the research underscores the need for integrated transport planning, where electric mobility, mass transit, and green energy investments are designed to complement rather than compete with one another.

“Whether it is high-speed railways, express bus systems, or charging networks, the goal is to build confidence in the practicality of EV ownership,” she said. “Infrastructure and technology adoption are deeply interconnected. Aligning the two can create powerful synergies that drive sustainable development.”

CUHK’s Research Legacy in Sustainable Transformation

The study reflects CUHK’s continued leadership in applied sustainability research, blending economics, urban planning, and behavioural science to inform real-world solutions for Asia’s green transition.

Founded in 1963, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a comprehensive research university committed to advancing global understanding by bridging East and West, and combining tradition with modernity. Its faculty and students span more than 30 countries, with over 45,000 business alumni across the world — many of them leading figures in innovation and industry.

CUHK Business School, the first in Asia to offer BBA, MBA, and EMBA programmes, continues to be ranked among the top global institutions for executive education. Through schools such as the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, CUHK conducts pioneering research on sustainability, technology, and market transformation — reinforcing its reputation as a regional thought leader in sustainable economic development.