| China to Offer Rebates on Green Vehicles |
| 03 March 2009 |
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China keeps facing a steady increase in urban traffic. In order to reduce its negative effect on air quality and to promote energy saving, the Chinese government launched a special program aimed at promoting the sales of green vehicles. According to the program, funds would in fact be given to buyers of alternative energy passenger cars and buses in 13 major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, during a trial period of four years. The cities involved in the program should in the first place promote green vehicles in the public service sector, such as buses and taxis, and provide a cash rebate of as little as 50,000 yuan (5,800 euros) for the purchase of a small hybrid passenger car, and up to 600,000 yuan (69,591 euros) for a large fuel cell powered commercial bus. The project is now under development and the goal for China is to promote the sale of over 60,000 alternative energy vehicles within the next four years. The choice of starting from the public sector is a way for the government to make the first step towards a cleaner mobility and - as Mr. Wan Gang, Minister for Science & Technology, said - “to popularize alternative energy through the exemplary role of busesâ€." |
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