Gasgoo.com (Shanghai December 22) - The National Development and Reform Commission will take measures to promote further usage of new energy vehicles in China beginning next year, the Nanfang Daily reported earlier this week, citing a statement made by NDRC Chairman Zhang Ping. According to Mr. Zhang, new policies will help increase consumption of new energy and energy efficient automobiles.
At the moment, China offers subsidies of up to 3,000 yuan ($476.32) for purchases of low emission vehicles. The policies have been moderately effective, with statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showing that vehicles with engines 1.6 L or smaller made up over 67 percent of all passenger automobiles sold over the first eleven months of the year. Exemptions on freeway tolls over the holiday period helped bring in new sales as well, the NDRC believes.
Upcoming policies for new energy vehicles will be in line with the State Council's plans to modernize villages in the countryside. "[The goal is to] infuse the process to modernize villages with civilized concepts and principles, [and to make these villages]… more efficient, intelligent, greener and cleaner," a statement from the recent Central Economic Work Conference read. The comments seem to have been made to alleviate concerns that modernization of villages will lead to the creation of severe problems, including increased traffic congestion and higher rates of pollution.
