China mulls petrol car ban

CHINA, the world’s biggest vehicle 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.

Industry and Information Technology Vice-Minister Xin Guobin told a forum in the northern city of Tianjin at the weekend that his ministry had started relevant research and was working on a timetable for China.

“Enterprises should strive to improve the level of energy saving for traditional cars, and vigorously develop new energy vehicles according to assessment requirements,” Xin said in remarks broadcast by CCTV state television.

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% more than the previous year, according to national industry figures.

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

Foreign manufacturers have announced plans to boost the production of electric cars in China.