China drafts policy to allow new EV makers
China is trying to finish drafting a policy by year end that would let new players produce electric vehicles in the country, an official with the nation's top planner said.
The National Development and Reform Commission is working on the project following the cabinet's mandate to support innovative companies in developing new-energy vehicles, according to Wu Wei, an official with the commission's department overseeing industry planning and policy drafting.
"The key qualification is whether the applicant has the capacity to develop new-energy vehicles," Wu said Wednesday at a forum in Beijing. "The aim is to allow market forces to generate a significant push in development."
Such changes would pave the way for companies such as Wanxiang Group Corp., the Chinese auto-parts maker that owns Fisker Automotive, to build cars in the country and challenge Tesla Motors Inc. and BYD Co. China is promoting EVs to reduce the nation's reliance on fuel imports and ease air pollution, though sales have lagged behind government targets.
The China Automotive Technology and Research Center, a state-run operation in charge of helping the government draft automotive policy, said in June that it was recommending EV manufacturing be opened to companies other than automakers.
Existing policy requires new entrants to buy an automaker to obtain the necessary manufacturing license.
The Ministry of Information and Technology is working on policy to refine the entry of vehicle battery makers, Wu said, without giving details.
"The key qualification is whether the applicant has the capacity to develop new-energy vehicles," Wu said Wednesday at a forum in Beijing. "The aim is to allow market forces to generate a significant push in development."
Such changes would pave the way for companies such as Wanxiang Group Corp., the Chinese auto-parts maker that owns Fisker Automotive, to build cars in the country and challenge Tesla Motors Inc. and BYD Co. China is promoting EVs to reduce the nation's reliance on fuel imports and ease air pollution, though sales have lagged behind government targets.
The China Automotive Technology and Research Center, a state-run operation in charge of helping the government draft automotive policy, said in June that it was recommending EV manufacturing be opened to companies other than automakers.
Existing policy requires new entrants to buy an automaker to obtain the necessary manufacturing license.
The Ministry of Information and Technology is working on policy to refine the entry of vehicle battery makers, Wu said, without giving details.
