SHANGHAI, China — Drivers in this expanding city may be able to get free license plates on their vehicles beginning next year — if they choose to buy environmentally friendly alternative-energy vehicles, that is. Since plates are auctioned, and license plate prices in Shanghai start at nearly $5,000, the gesture is no mere token.
The plan would support both the city's effort to speed the development of green vehicles and would help create cleaner skies for the millions of visitors to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
"We are considering offering free car licenses for new-energy vehicles that meet certain standards," confirmed Chen Hailin, who is in charge of promoting new-energy vehicles at the Shanghai Economics and Information Committee, a key policy-making agency. Speaking in a television interview, Chen said the plan "would mean auto buyers could register their vehicles in Shanghai without buying a plate through the existing auction scheme."
The standards have not yet been defined, and a final decision on the plan will have to come from city government.
Shanghai is doing its part in a nationwide campaign to promote green vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and all-electric cars, as China addresses energy and environmental challenges. Although the new green cars cost less to operate, they don't appeal to many consumers at present because of their comparatively higher purchase costs.
In addition, the lack of infrastructure, such as charging stations, and safety concerns about the new technologies are also major hurdles that have prevented new-energy vehicles from rolling onto the roads in high numbers.
Industry analysts said city government hopes free car plates would partly offset the higher purchase costs and help make these energy-saving, less-polluting vehicles more attractive to buyers.
Inside Line says: Apparently a win-win plan to help get more "green" vehicles onto the roads. — Vivian Jin, Correspondent
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