China considering ban on fossil fuel cars, following France and Britain, Latest World News - The New Paper
World

China considering ban on fossil fuel cars, following France and Britain

This article is more than 12 months old

BEIJING China, the world's biggest auto market, is considering a ban on fossil fuel cars in a major boost to the production of electric vehicles as it seeks to ease pollution.

The move would follow similar plans announced by France and Britain to outlaw the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to clamp down on harmful emissions.

Mr Xin Guobin, Vice-minister of Industry and Information Technology, told a forum in the northern city of Tianjin at the weekend that his ministry has started "relevant research" and is working on a timetable.

"These measures will promote profound changes in the environment and give momentum to China's auto industry development," Mr Xin said in remarks broadcast by CCTV state television.

"Enterprises should strive to improve the level of energy saving for traditional cars, and vigorously develop new energy vehicles according to assessment requirements," he said.

China produced and sold more than 28 million vehicles last year, according to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.

The sale of new energy vehicles topped 500,000 in the world's second largest economy last year, over 50 per cent more than the previous year, according to national industry figures.

In June, the government introduced a draft regulation to compel automakers to produce more electrically powered vehicles by 2020 through a complex quota system.

As the measure looms, foreign automakers have announced plans to boost the production of electric cars in China.

Volvo will introduce its first 100 per cent electric car in China in 2019, while Ford will market its first hybrid vehicle in early 2018 and envisions 70 per cent of all Ford cars available in China will have electric options by 2025.

Mr Xin said the policy would be implemented "in the near future", according to the official Xinhua news agency. - AFP

CarPOLLUTIONChina