China plans to ban petrol, diesel cars
September 11, 2017 18:04
China, the world's top automobile market, is planning to ban petrol and diesel cars and boost electric vehicles in a bid to contain air pollution and restrict traffic congestion.
Attending an automobile forum over the weekend, Xin Guobin, China's vice minister of industry and information technology said that Beijing has started research on a timetable to phase out production and sales of fossil fuel
cars.
Though Xin gave no details on the timeframe, he said, "The measures would surely bring profound changes to the sector's development."
The plan would follow decisions by France and Britain which have announced plans to ban the manufacturing and sales of cars running on traditional fuels.
Several Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, have already imposed severe restrictions on sale of new cars to contain air pollution and to restrict traffic congestion.
The minister's statement followed similar moves of several countries to end the era of gas-powered vehicles to cut emissions and reduce pollution, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
In July, French Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot had announced that France would end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as part of the country's plan to meet its targets under the Paris climate accord.
The same month, the British government followed suit with a similar plan eyeing 2040 as a deadline to stop sales of new fossil fuel cars.
Analysts say that while there is little doubt that new energy vehicles (NEVs) will eventually prevail, how long the switch takes remains to be seen and depends a lot on infrastructure and technology improvements as well as how fast automakers can adapt.
China manufactured and sold over 28 million vehicles in 2016, according to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances