China will subsidise fuel cell and electric vehicle purchases

China will subsidise the use of energy-efficient vehicles in 13 cities, China's Ministry of Finance has said.  According to a joint statement of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the central government will offer a one-off subsidy for purchase of electric, fuel-cell and mixed-power vehicles, Xinhua has reported.  The joint statement said the subsidy will be decided by the price premium of the energy-efficient vehicles over conventional vehicles.

The subsidy programme will be trialed in public transport, the taxi industry, and postal and urban sanitary vehicles in 13 cities including Beijing and Shanghai.  The joint statement said the programme aims to speed up upgrades in technology and structural optimisation of the automobile industry.  It added that local governments should allocate funds for the creation and maintenance of related facilities.

Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/28/content_10730718.htm

Source: Fuel Cell Today