China state planner says to gradually remove curbs on electric vehicle purchases

[BEIJING] China's state planner said on Friday (Jan 21) that restrictions on purchases of new energy vehicles (NEVs) will be gradually removed in various parts of the country in a "vigorous" push to promote NEVs and "green consumption".

Construction of supporting infrastructure to charge and replace batteries, store energy, and refuel hydrogen cells will also be strengthened, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a document.

A number of large Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Tianjin impose licence plate quotas to limit the number of new vehicles on roads and congestion, which also apply to NEVs.

China has in recent years heavily promoted NEVs as part of its efforts to curb air pollution and has seen sales surge. Last year, NEV sales jumped more than 1.5 times.

The country will, however, cut NEV subsidies by 30 per cent in 2022 and withdraw them altogether from next year, deeming that the market has matured enough in terms of demand to grow without the aid of government help.

REUTERS