China plans more perks to drive up demand for electric cars
Tax breaks and more charging stations among those promised by central government
China will roll out more benefits, including tax breaks, to promote the use of electric vehicles – especially among private consumers – as it seeks to cut down on pollution.
Minister of Sciences and Technology Wan Gang announced preferential policies that could be expected, just a day after the State Council said the government would exempt purchase tax for new-energy vehicles.
These include all electric cars, plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles.
China wants to boost the sales of electric vehicles and has set a target of having 500,000 on the road by next year.
But the nation only has about 70,000 new-energy cars in operation – and more than half of these cars are public buses and taxis.
More measures should be taken to encourage private users to buy electric vehicles, Wan said.
”The State Council is putting electric vehicles high on its agenda because electric vehicle does not only save energy, but also avoids pollution,” Wan said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Sino-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week.