China Prioritizes Clean Energy For Public Transport
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The Chinese government hopes to dramatically increase the usage of alternative energy within the automotive industry by compelling the public sector’s own vehicle fleet to take the lead in the adoption of cleaner, more sustainable technologies.
China’s Ministry of Transportation has just released its Implementation Opinions Concerning Hastening the Promotion and Usage of New Energy Vehicles Within the Transportation Sector (关于加快推进新能源汽车在交通运输行业推广应用的实施意见), which sets an ambitious target for the usage of clean energy by public sector transport.
The “Opinions” sets the goal of having a total of at least 300,000 new energy public buses and taxis on China’s roads by the end of the decade – at least 200,000 new energy buses and 100,000 new energy taxis
In China “new energy vehicles” are officially defined as including 100% battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), fuel cell electric vehicles, and vehicles that make use of alternative fuels.
In the massive urban conurbation of Beijing, Tianjin, and adjacent parts of Hebei province, a region which has become notorious for its appalling smog and particular air pollution over recent years, the Opinions sets the goal that at least 35% of public buses, taxis, and urban logistics vehicles make use of new energy sources.
The Opinion also outline measures such as preferential treatment of transportation companies that make greater use of new energy vehicles, and the removal of restrictions on the usage and purchase of new energy vehicles in those jurisdictions where road space rationing is employed to reduce traffic congestion.
In addition to the focus placed on new energy vehicles themselves, the Opinions also places strong emphasis on the creation of the fixed infrastructure required to support the usage of electric or hybrid electric automobiles. The Opinion hopes to expedite the creation of recharging equipment for new energy vehicles, particularly in key areas such as passenger transportation hubs, public transportation hubs, taxi ranks, and urban logistics centers.
This news should provide a big boost to BYD, the largest electric bus company in China, and the world as a whole, as well as the largest manufacturer of electric taxis in China.
Image Credit: BYD
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