Cars in Beijing Olympics to achieve "zero emissions"

Shanghai, May 9 (Gasgoo.com) The Beijing Olympic venues will achieve "zero emissions," first in the history of the Games, with the use of more environmentally-friendly vehicles, China's minister of science and technology told reporters in Beijing on Thursday. Automakers and the event's organizers are also experimenting with new-energy automobile technology, including hybrid electric vehicles.

"Te 'Green Olympics' will control the use of vehicles and reduce emissions by between 1 million and 1.29 million tons," Wan told a news conference. Areas around the venues and priority Olympic traffic routes would meet the target of "low emissions" from vehicles. Some 500 clean fuel vehicles to travel in and between the venues, including 50 electricity-powered buses, 400 electric venue vehicles and 15 electric cleaning vehicles, are expected to achieve "zero-emissions" for the first time in Olympic history.

And in a more traditional green approach, solar, wind and geothermal power will also be used at venues and other Olympic-related buildings. Carmakers and authorities were working to have another 105 hybrid vehicles and 23 fuel cell cars and buses in use during the games.

These vehicles would continue to run on the roads as a demonstration project after the games, Wan said, adding that more Chinese cities would use such clean fuel vehicles, especially energy-efficiency hybrids with mature auto technology.