20-percent more people want to buy new energy cars

A man checks out an electric mobile at a new energy auto show in Beijing in July. The capital plans to tackle air pollution by promoting the use of green vehicles and cutting annual gasoline and diesel fuel consumption.[Photo: Xinhua]

The number of people in Beijing wishing to buy new-energy vehicles has incresed 20 percent.

Applications for ordinary passenger cars have dropped by 110-thousand.

The numbers come from the city's vehicle management authority, which has released its latest stats on applications for license plate numbers.

The city restricted orders on plate numbers three years ago to ease the traffic load and curb pollution in the capital.

A driver must apply for a plate before purchasing a vehicle.

Other provinces and cities have also launched preferential policies to encourage drivers to choose new-energy vehicles, following a circular released by the central government to spur this emerging sector.

Shanxi has eliminated parking fees for these vehicles, while Hunan offers subsidies to make these cars more affordable.

For more on the situation, we are joined on line with Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.