Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper uses the Super-EBM-undesirable model to measure the energy carbon emission efficiency (ECEE). On the basis of analyzing the spatiotemporal characteristics of ECEE, the Tobit regression model and the mediation effect method are used to empirically test how digital inclusive finance (DIF) affects the ECEE. The main research results reveal that 1) the ECEE of China shows a fluctuating trend during the study period, with the highest point in 2013 (0.529), and the lowest point in 2021 (0.501). There are significant differences in ECEE among different regions, with the highest in the eastern region, followed by the central and the western regions, and the lowest in the northeast region. 2) According to the empirical research results, the DIF can significantly promote the improvement of ECEE; technological innovation and technological application play a significant intermediary role in the impact of DIF on ECEE. This conclusion is still valid after robustness tests. 3) As for the control variables, the development of infrastructure has a significant inhibitory effect on ECEE, while China’s openness to the outside world and economic urbanization have enormous promoting effects on ECEE. The research results could provide reference for formulating national digital finance related policies and establishing a financial support system for the strategy of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”.