Photo: Catalin Garmacea
There's been an ample debate on the subject of China's need for large EV fleets, one of the methods thought to lower air pollution in the Chinese capital, but public awareness and the willingness to switch to electric is something far more significant in our view.
Luckily, we are not the only ones thinking this. It seems the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau has a plan that will grant more freedom for electric vehicles roaming the streets of the city.
In other words, EVs won't have to abide the policies that currently restrict the number of cars on Beijing's roads during rush hours, the Wall Street Journal reports. Simply put, electric vehicles are free to travel the city without being subjected to the current system introduced seven years ago in 2008, between June 1, 2015 and April 10, 2016.
According to the new law, cars with odd and even license plates are banned from Beijing’s roads on alternate days. The reason? Well, intense traffic, neverending traffic jams and enough air pollution to cut with a knife.
By letting EVs travel freely on Beijing's roads, authorities are also promoting battery-powered electric cars. China is one of the world's largest EV markets, with a huge potential of becoming number one shortly if carmakers and potential buyers know where to look.
To put things into perspective, Chinese consumers bought over 200,000 small EVs until the present day, almost four times Tesla's cumulative production through 2014. However, China wants half a million green vehicles on the road by the end of this year, which, to be honest, is a very ambitious goal.
In other words, EVs won't have to abide the policies that currently restrict the number of cars on Beijing's roads during rush hours, the Wall Street Journal reports. Simply put, electric vehicles are free to travel the city without being subjected to the current system introduced seven years ago in 2008, between June 1, 2015 and April 10, 2016.
According to the new law, cars with odd and even license plates are banned from Beijing’s roads on alternate days. The reason? Well, intense traffic, neverending traffic jams and enough air pollution to cut with a knife.
By letting EVs travel freely on Beijing's roads, authorities are also promoting battery-powered electric cars. China is one of the world's largest EV markets, with a huge potential of becoming number one shortly if carmakers and potential buyers know where to look.
To put things into perspective, Chinese consumers bought over 200,000 small EVs until the present day, almost four times Tesla's cumulative production through 2014. However, China wants half a million green vehicles on the road by the end of this year, which, to be honest, is a very ambitious goal.
Google News