Green Machines

The popularity of new-energy vehicles makes an important contribution to China’s green development By Xia Yuanyuan

Due to low costs and emissions, newenergy vehicles (NEVs) are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. On the streets of Beijing, NEVs are distinguishable by their six-digit, bright green license plates. And a quick look around the streets of the capital will reveal more and more of these unique plates on display as this form of transport gains in popularity.

Taking cognizance of this popularity from an increasingly environmentally conscious public, on March 1, the National NEV Technology Innovation Center was unveiled in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. The center will coordinate the development of the industry supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Beijing Municipal Government.

NEVs are vehicles powered by nontraditional fuel such as electric cars. Thanks to favorable government policies, China’s NEV market has seen rapid growth in recent years.

China has been the world’s largest market for NEVs for three consecutive years. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), NEV output and sales jumped by 142.4 percent and 149.2 percent year on year to reach 232,000 and 225,000 in the first four months of 2018. For 2017, a total of 777,000 NEVs were sold in the Chinese market, up 53.3 percent year on year.

Charged up

Li Xian, an office worker in Beijing, bought an NEV last year immediately after receiving his license plate. In Beijing, those who want to obtain NEVs have to join a waiting list for license plates after submitting an application form.

“Actually, an electric car was not my first choice. Charging was the first problem that made me hesitant,” Li said. But his concerns were dispelled when the seller set up an electric charging point in the parking lot of his apartment block. “It is convenient as the car can be fully charged within eight hours of getting home,” Li added. According to data from the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance, by January, the total number of charging points in China had reached 450,000. Of this total, 220,000 are publicly available.

Additionally, car manufacturers have made great achievements in developing batteries that allow greater range. NEVs capable of a range of 400 km and above on one charge came into the market earlier this year, which has satisfied consumers’ requirement on increasing mileage.

To promote the industry, the Chinese Government issued a policy providing sub-