China has 300,000 alt-fuel vehicles on road

Shanghai, July 2 (Gasgoo.com) China now has more than 300,000 alternative-fuel vehicles running on the road, and they can save 3 million tons of gasoline and diesel each year, xinhuanet.com reported today, citing a technology official.

The Chinese government has urged automakers in the country to develop and produce new-energy vehicle as a means of the sustainable development of the auto industry, said Mr. Zhang Zhihong, Deputy Director of the State Ministry of Science and Technology. For instance, the alternative-fuel vehicle can achieve energy efficiency, low emission and eco-friendliness.

China is also determined to carry out the strategy of new energy vehicles to build up competitive Chinese auto brands. It has planned to spend 10 billion ($1.47 bln) within three years on technological innovation and development of new energy vehicles, parts and components of independent brands. 
 
Most of the 300,000 alternative-fuel vehicles now running on roads in China are used for public transport, taxi industry, postal and urban sanitary services in some big cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Changchun, Dalian, Hangzhou, Jinan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Hefei.
 
Hybrid cars and vans can save 50% of fuel. Hybrid buses or coaches also reduce fuel consumption by at least 10%. About 3 million tons of gasoline and diesel can be saved each year in China by electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles.