China’s Government Drove the Electric Vehicle Industry’s Rapid Rise, U.S. Think Tank Says

* Central government spent 393 billion yuan ($56.6 billion) from 2009-17 to promote the development of new-energy vehicles, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies

* Though Beijing has helped spearhead market development on the supply side and given birth to around 500 electric-car makers, real consumer demand has yet to fully emerge, analysts said