Research

I study how consumers, firms, markets, and policy affect technological change, with a goal of facilitating transitions to sustainable, low-carbon technologies. I have expertise in choice modeling, programming in R, and qualitative research methods, as well as the global electric vehicle industry.

Citations: 488 | h-index: 6 | i10-index: 4

Source: Google Scholar

Google Scholar ORCID Research Gate

Publications in Peer Reviewed Journals

*indicates student advised by Helveston

1. Szajnfarber, Z., Groover, J.A., Wei, Z., Broniatowski, D.A., Chernicoff, W., & Helveston, J.P. (2021) “Evolvability Analysis Framework: Adding Transition Path and Stakeholder Diversity to Infrastructure Investment Decisions” Systems Engineering. 25(1):35-50. DOI: 10.1002/sys.21600
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Haiku Summaries
Transition pathways • are important for upgrades • to infrastructure

2. Feinberg, F., Bruch, E., Braun, M., Hemenway Falk, B., Fefferman, N., Feit, E.M., Helveston, J.P., Larremore, D., McShane, B.B., Patania, A., & Small, M.L. (2020) “Choices in networks: a research framework” Marketing Letters. 31(4), 349-359. DOI: 10.1007/s11002-020-09541-9
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We live in networks; • choice modelers should include • them in their models

3. *Roberson, Laura A. & Helveston, John P. (2020) “Electric vehicle adoption: can short experiences lead to big change?” Environmental Research Letters. 15(0940c3). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/aba715
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A five minute ride • in an EV can increase • the chance you’ll buy one

4. Helveston, John P. & Nahm, Jonas (2019) “China's key role in scaling low-carbon energy technologies” Science. 366(6467), pg. 794-796. DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz1014
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To meet climate goals • we must work with China to • scale up more green tech

5. Helveston, J.P., Seki, S., Min, J., Fairman, E., Boni, A.A., Michalek, J.J., & Azevedo, I. (2019) “Choice at the Pump: Measuring Preferences for Lower-Carbon Combustion Fuels” Environmental Research Letters. 14(8). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ab2bd2
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Drivers on average • are willing to pay more for • lower carbon fuels

6. Helveston, J.P., Wang, Y., Karplus, V.J., & Fuchs, E.R.H. (2019) “Institutional Complementarities: The Origins of Experimentation in China's Plug-in Electric Vehicle Industry” Research Policy. 48(1), pg. 206-222. DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.08.006
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Institutions can • dramatically affect how • industries emerge

7. Helveston, J.P., Feit, E.M., & Michalek, J.J. (2018) “Pooling Stated and Revealed Preference Data in the Presence of Endogeneity” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological. 109, pg. 70-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.trb.2018.01.010
   Details View PDF Research Gate

RP data with • endogeneity may • make things worse when pooled

8. Helveston, J.P., Liu, Y., Feit, E.M., Fuchs, E.R.H., Klampfl, E., & Michalek, J.J. (2015) “Will subsidies drive electric vehicle adoption? Measuring consumer preferences in the U.S. and China” Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice. 73, 96–112. DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2015.01.002
   Details View PDF Code & Data Research Gate

Full electric cars: • Chinese seem to like them more • than Americans

Working Papers & Papers Under Review

1. Helveston, John P. (2021) “logitr: Fast Estimation of Multinomial and Mixed Logit Models with Preference Space and Willingness to Pay Space Utility Parameterizations” Under review.

Haiku Summaries
Fast estimation • of mixed logit models and • WTP in R

2. Davidson, M.R., He, G., Helveston, J.P. (2021) “Quantifying the role of globalized solar photovoltaic supply chains in reaching climate targets” Under review.

Global supply chains • are important for reaching • lower green tech costs

3. *Zhao, L. & Helveston, J.P. (2021) “Measuring and modeling multi-modal trip choices with uncertain arrival times” Under review.

DC commuters • want fewer bus transfers and • more metro access

4. *Roberson, Laura A. & Helveston, John P. (2021) “Identifying more efficient equitable plug-in electric vehicle financial incentives through consumer-centric design” Under review.

EV subsidies • should be instant cash rebates • and not tax credits

5. *Kaplan, Leah & Helveston, John P. (2021) “Undercutting Transit? Exploring potential competition between autonomous vehicles and public transportation in the U.S.” Under review.

Robo-taxis won’t • (at the moment) take over • transit ridership

6. Murphree, M., Helveston, J.P., & Breznitz, D. (2021) “Intellectual Property as a Production Input: Expanding Theories of Institutional Change and Profiting from Innovation” Under review.

Conference Publications

1. Liang, Z., Li, D., Fu, X., Beltekian, D., Helveston, J.P. (2018) “The Co-evolution of MNE R&D Strategies and China’s National Innovation System: A Case Study on Siemens” IEEE International Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TEMS-ISIE). Beijing, PRC, pp. 1-9. DOI: 10.1109/TEMS-ISIE.2018.8478558
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Haiku Summaries
MNE research • and host country R&D • systems co-evolve

2. Helveston, J.P., Wang, Y., Karplus, V.J., & Fuchs, E.R.H. (2016) “Up, Down, and Sideways: Innovation in China and the Case of Plug-in Electric Vehicles” Academy of Management Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA. Aug. 5.
   PDF SSRN

Institutions can • dramatically affect how • industries emerge

3. Helveston, J.P., Liu, Y., Feit, E.M., Fuchs, E.R.H., Klampfl, E., & Michalek, J.J. (2014) “Will subsidies drive electric vehicle adoption? Measuring consumer preferences in the U.S. and China” National Academies Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. Jan. 13.
   PDF

Full electric cars: • Chinese seem to like them more • than Americans

Magazine Publications

1. Helveston, John P. (2021) “Why the US Trails the World in Electric Vehicles” Issues in Science and Technology. 37, no. 2 (Winter 2021).
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Haiku Summaries
US policies • must be more aggressive to • increase EV sales

2. Helveston, John P. (2017) “Perspective: Navigating an Uncertain Future for US Roads” Issues in Science and Technology. 34, no. 1 (Fall 2017).
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We should tax miles • driven (not fuel consumed), or • our roads will crumble

Books / Book Chapters

1. Ren, Justin Z. & Helveston, John P. (2019) “Measuring Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Among Cities: A Multi-Dimensional Approach” Melting the ICE: Lessons from China and the West in the Transition from the Internal Combustion Engine to Electric Vehicles. Ed. Fox-Penner, P., Ren, Z.J., & Jermain, D.O.. Harvard University Press.
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2. Hatch, Jennifer & Helveston, J.P. (2019) “Brookline, MA: A Small Town seeking to lead in a Broader EV Charging Network” Melting the ICE: Lessons from China and the West in the Transition from the Internal Combustion Engine to Electric Vehicles. Ed. Fox-Penner, P., Ren, Z.J., & Jermain, D.O.. Harvard University Press.
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Theses

1. Helveston, John P. (2016) “Development and Adoption of Plug-in Electric Vehicles in China: Markets, Policy, and Innovation” Ph.D. Dissertation. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
   View Research Gate CMU Repository

Reports, Articles for Non-Academic Audiences, and Other Publications

1. Helveston, John P. (2022) “Tariffs won’t build a robust US solar industry” The Hill.
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2. Helveston, John P. (2019) “Podcast: GWU Professor John Helveston on EVs in China” The Future Car: A Siemens Podcast. May 13, 2019.
   Listen

3. Helveston, John P. (2019) “China’s looser rules may usher in a new era for EV and AV companies” Axios. February 1, 2019.
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4. Hatch, Jennifer & Helveston, J.P. (2018) “Will Autonomous Vehicles be Electric?” Institute for Sustainable Energy Blog. August 8, 2018.
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Software

1. Helveston, John P. (aut, cre, cph) (2021) “logitr: Fast Estimation of Multinomial and Mixed Logit Models with Preference Space and Willingness to Pay Space Utility Parameterizations” R package version 0.4.0.
   Documentation

2. Helveston, John P. (aut, cre, cph) & Aden-Buie, Garrick (aut) (2021) “xaringanBuilder: Functions For Building Xaringan Slides To Different Outputs” R package version 0.0.9.
   Documentation

3. Helveston, John P. (aut, cre, cph) (2021) “conjointTools: Tools For Designing Conjoint Survey Experiments” R package version 0.0.8.
   Documentation

Media Coverage

• Mar 25, 2022 - Reuters: Quoted in Inside China’s electric drive for swappable car batteries
• Jan 26, 2022 - Intelligencer: Quoted in To Fight Climate Change, Bring Back State Planning
• Oct 27, 2021 - RWeekly: Blog post on simulating the Squid Game bridge scene showcased on the RWeekly podcast.
• May 30, 2021 - The Wire China: Quoted in “The Competition Conundrum”
• Apr 23, 2021 - CNN Climate Town Hall: Asked question to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (Watch)
• Mar 21, 2021 - Market Scale: Interview: Can Geely Join the Ranks of Luxury EV Brands?
• Mar 03, 2020 - Associated Press: Interview: “China’s emissions drop amid coronavirus outbreak.”
• Jul 25, 2020 - Forbes: Quoted in “This Is A Big Reason Electric Cars Still Aren’t Popular With Americans: Study”
• Nov 21, 2019 - NPR Climate Cast: Quoted in “Trade dispute with China could slow transition to low-carbon power”
• Nov 15, 2019 - Xinhua News: Quoted in “美能源专家呼吁美加强与中国合作以实现减排目标”
• Nov 15, 2019 - GW Today: Interview, “Collaboration with China Is Critical to Achieving Climate Goals”
• Oct 28, 2019 - Physics World: Interview, “US motorists prepared to pay more for fuel to lower emissions”
• May 19, 2015 - CMU Engineering: Interivew, “What do American and Chinese consumers want in an electric vehicle?”