The paper develops the structure of business ecosystems, operating mechanisms and integrated configuration models by examining multiple case studies of electric vehicle (EV) producers in China and the EU (Germany, France and Denmark). The EV ecosystem can be categorized into four paradigms using a target market (mainstream or niche innovation) and growth context (advanced economies or emerging economies). These four paradigms are advanced mainstream, advanced niche, emerging mainstream and emerging niche. This research also explores three key operating mechanisms with which to organize EV business ecosystems, namely vision developing, platform organizing and institution re-configuring. As a latecomer,compared with western paradigms, the development of Chinese EV industry is more openly engaged with vision development, platform organization and institution reconfiguration, such as government regulation.