POLÍTICA INDUSTRIAL E COMPLEXIDADE GEOECONÔMICA:

a estratégia da China no setor de veículos elétricos

Abstract

Climate change, associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions, has placed the energy transition at the center of economic and geopolitical debates in the 21st century. The transportation sector, historically dependent on fossil fuels, plays a strategic role, especially through the expansion of electric vehicles. In this context, China emerges with world leader in electric mobility, standing out as the main producer, consumer, and exporter of such vehicles. This article seeks to understand how historical, economic, and political processes have contributed to the consolidation of Chinese leadership in the electric vehicle sector, in contrast to the difficulties faced by central economies, such as the United States and European Union countries. The emphasis is on the trajectory of Chinese industrial development, with a focus on the role of state planning as embodied in the Five-Year Plans and recent industrial policies such as Made in China 2025. Methodologically, the article combines a literature review with secondary data analysis, followed by a cross-referencing of both to generate the analyses and results presented. The results indicate that China's leadership stems from the articulation between a planned economy, active industrial policy, technological dominance, and control of strategic segments of global value chains, confirming its position as a country that stands out in the global energy transition.