Buyers to receive free-plate green cars

Shanghai's first batch of electric cars with special free car license plates will be delivered to their buyers next week, Shanghai Gaozhan New Energy Vehicle Sales Services Co said yesterday.

The city's exclusive green car dealer said it has 230 orders so far, with 10 added each day on average in January after the city government unveiled incentives last month to encourage the private buying of new-energy cars.

Before the end of this year, their buyers don't need to bid for a car license plate, whose average auction price soared 35 percent last year to nearly 70,000 yuan (US$11,263). They can also enjoy a local subsidy of up to 40,000 yuan besides the maximum 60,000 yuan offered by the central government.

The dealer said it will deliver 50 electric cars this month and fulfill its current orders by March.