From Technology Follower to Global Leader: Evolution of China’s New Energy Vehicle Innovation Ecosystem through Patent Cooperation Networks

This study analyzes China’s new energy vehicle patent collaboration network to explore mechanisms behind its global rise. Using data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration, we apply knowledge-graph–LLM patent classification and complex network analysis across temporal, industrial, and spatial dimensions. Results reveal a three-periods growth driven by policy and market expansion, with domestic dominance and a shift from invention to utility patents, signaling application-oriented innovation. The network shows small-world and scale-free features, forming an oligopoly led by state-owned enterprises as “innovation organizers,” while private firms specialize in targeted R&D. Along the industrial chain, components act as hubs, vehicle manufacturing remains isolated, and the aftermarket clusters around battery recycling. A niche segregation between domestic and foreign actors indicates potential risks of decoupling. Findings highlight a dual-circulation innovation model combining state-led coordination with market-driven application, offering insights for sustainable industrial transformation.