Promoting developments of hydrogen powered vehicle and solar PV hydrogen production in China: A study based on evolutionary game theory method

China has been impelling the promotion of new energies in recent years. Though the hydrogen powered vehicle (HPV) and hydrogen production (HP) of China are still in the initial stage currently, the Chinese government encourages the developments of the two fields. In order to promote the developments of HPVs, HP and solar PV industry in China, this study proposes a partnership consisting of the investment company (IC), HPV user and solar PV power plant (SPP). Based on the tripartite evolutionary game model as well as the current policies and provisions of China, the evolutionary processes and evolutionary stable strategies are simulated and discussed. The results reveal that stable states can be achieved under different partnership modes. Effect estimate results of typical parameters on the three participants show that higher solar intensity, longer annual sunshine duration, larger subsidies, longer lifetimes of hydrogen charging facility and PV panels will be favorable to the smooth progress of the partnership. Reasonable hydrogen selling price should be considered as it has incentive effect on ICs and SPPs but inhibition on HPV users. This study can be referred by the government and related industries for promoting the developments of HPVs and solar PV hydrogen production.