Text: | Print|

    BYD 'green' cars get go-ahead for Beijing, Shanghai roads

    2014-02-28 10:13 China Daily Web Editor: qindexing
    1

    Move called a breakthrough against local protectionism

    Chinese automaker BYD received the green light to roll out its flagship new-energy models in Beijing and Shanghai, a move signaling a major breakthrough in smashing the trade barriers by local governments to protect their own "green" vehicle industries, experts said.

    "The approval has increased the market space for new-energy carmakers, promoting the development of the domestic electric vehicle sector, because local governments tend only to support their own car factories and discourage other non-local car makers to enter the market," said Wang Binggang, an electric vehicle expert.

    Beijing's Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology released on Wednesday a list of Chinese new-energy automakers and products to encourage the wider use of green vehicles. BYD's all-electric E6 model was added to the list as well as those of its major rival, the Beijing-based BAIC Motor.

    BYD, backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, also received approved to sell its plug-in hybrid, the Qin, in Shanghai, according to Shanghai's municipal government. The Qin model is priced at about 160,000 yuan ($26,107). For each purchase, a customer can receive a subsidy of 33,250 yuan from the government, the statement said.

    A spokesman for BYD was unable to comment, but earlier reports quoted Wang Zhuangfu, BYD's chief executive officer, saying local protectionism was a major reason that hindered the development of electric cars. BYD, a pioneer in developing electric cars in China, has struggled to win subsidies in other major cities. Its electric and hybrid models have entered the markets only in Shenzhen and Tianjin cities and Shaanxi and Hunan provinces.

    Its flagship E6 model is priced at 370,000 yuan and can receive subsidies of 120,000 yuan for each car sold in Shenzhen, where the company is based. Buying the same car in Beijing means the purchaser would have lost out on the Shenzhen subsidy before the latest approval decision.

    "Without the subsidies, many people would shy away from purchasing new-energy cars," Wang said. The domestic new-energy vehicle sector has gained a huge boost from government support and financial aid as the country seeks to cut emissions to combat the heavy air pollution that has plagued Beijing and many northern and central cities.

    The Chinese government recently renewed its policies for electric vehicles for next two years to cut emissions. Beijing aims to have in place around 1,000 charging units in some 100 stations this year, up from 20 stations now.

    Comments (0)
    Most popular in 24h
      Archived Content
    Media partners:

    Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
    Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

    主站蜘蛛池模板: 河南省| 枣庄市| 泽普县| 聂拉木县| 南澳县| 孝感市| 白城市| 芦山县| 安宁市| 乌拉特后旗| 平武县| 镇雄县| 大渡口区| 墨脱县| 岗巴县| 西充县| 平泉县| 留坝县| 独山县| 南阳市| 雷州市| 阿拉善左旗| 银川市| 项城市| 永城市| 通化县| 马尔康县| 宾阳县| 灵武市| 东海县| 赤水市| 新绛县| 永平县| 奎屯市| 邳州市| 新乡县| 湖北省| 凤翔县| 新源县| 修文县| 礼泉县|