Beijing city lays out ambitious plan to boost EV sales
The city of Beijing last week announced an ambitious three-year plan to create a fleet of 170,000 electric taxis -- a project that requires the phaseout of gasoline-powered taxis.
By 2017, all gasoline-powered taxis in Beijing's suburbs will be replaced with electric vehicles. In the future, all new cars added to Beijing's downtown taxi fleet also must be electric, according to the plan.
Beijing now has approximately 60,000 taxis that produce 10.8 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Starting in February, Beijing residents who purchased EVs were offered subsidies up to 114,000 yuan ($18,400) from the city government and the central Chinese government.
The municipality hopes to sell more than 20,000 electric cars to private buyers this year. By 2016, the city expects annual EV sales volumes to rise to 60,000 units.
To control vehicle emissions, Beijing also plans to add at least 4,500 electric buses to the local public transport system over the next three years.
Among China's cities, Beijing has the largest number of motor vehicles, a fleet estimated at above 5.5 million units.
Due to vehicle emissions, coal-burning by households for heating and dust from the city's numerous construction sites, Beijing has some of the worst air pollution in the world.
Beijing now has approximately 60,000 taxis that produce 10.8 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Starting in February, Beijing residents who purchased EVs were offered subsidies up to 114,000 yuan ($18,400) from the city government and the central Chinese government.
The municipality hopes to sell more than 20,000 electric cars to private buyers this year. By 2016, the city expects annual EV sales volumes to rise to 60,000 units.
To control vehicle emissions, Beijing also plans to add at least 4,500 electric buses to the local public transport system over the next three years.
Among China's cities, Beijing has the largest number of motor vehicles, a fleet estimated at above 5.5 million units.
Due to vehicle emissions, coal-burning by households for heating and dust from the city's numerous construction sites, Beijing has some of the worst air pollution in the world.
