CHINA will offer more financial support and build charging facilities quickly to boost the use of electric-powered vehicles, according to a new industrial outline released yesterday.

Under a blue print on energy efficiency and new energy vehicle which was approved in a State Council meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, China aims for accumulative sales of 500,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids by 2015 and further lift the goal to 5 million units by 2020, according to the statement.

China has set electric vehicles as key strategy for its automotive industry and is urging enhanced research and development to build itself into the world's leading producer of green cars, batteries and core spare parts. The guideline also called for subsidies and more charging facilities in a bid to boost the popularity of environmental-friendly vehicles among private customers.

"An accelerated development of the fuel-efficient and new energy vehicle industry will play a important role to address energy and environmental protection challenges, promote industry transformation and generate new economic growth," the statement said.

China has announced a national subsidy of up to 60,000 yuan (US$9,524) for electric car purchase as well as other favorable policies to boost the popularity of green cars and to put more of them on the roads.

In the first quarter of this year, new energy vehicle sales surpassed 10,000 units, including 1,830 electric cars, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Car makers from home and abroad are also planning to ride on the popularity of green models in the future.

Dailmer has tied up with China's BYD to launch a Chinese-made electric vehicle in 2013. Volkswagen, General Motors and Nissan have also committed to make or sell new energy vehicles in China.

It is estimated that more than 30 electric cars will be available on the Chinese market by the end of this year.
 

Source:shanghaidaily.com