The Chinese government will frame regulations on the production
of autos fuelled by alternative energies to encourage research and
produce of environmentally-friendly "green" vehicles.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) published
on its website on Wednesday a draft regulation on managing the
production of alternative energy vehicles and called for
suggestions and comments.
The term alternative energy vehicles refers to hybrid-electric
vehicles, battery electric vehicles (including vehicles on solar
energy), fuel cell electric vehicles, etc.
The draft regulation defines three levels of alternative energy
auto technology.
Prototypes will only be allowed to operate in approved areas,
and more sophisticated products will be allowed to be produced in
batches for sale in approved areas.
Only the most sophisticated products will enjoy the same
production, sale, and use status as regular autos, the draft
states.
Firms need to obtain permission from the NDRC before beginning
production, and the NDRC will have its say in determining the level
of sophistication of the alternative energy technologies used,
according to the draft.
Conventional auto fuels commonly used in China are gasoline,
diesel oil, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol
gas, and dimethyl ether (DME).
(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2007)