Shenzhen Plans Subsidy for Hybrid Car
By Wang Zhen
Shenzhen government is mulling to offer a 50,000 yuan subsidy for each buyer of the hybrid vehicle, as the city hopes to promote the development of new energy cars, said Wu Delin, vice director of Shenzhen's development and reform commission.
Wu was speaking at a delivery ceremony for 10 F3DM plug-in hybrid cars made by BYD, a battery maker that has branched out into automaking.
The F3DM is the world's first production plug-in hybrid. It is a duel-model vehicle that can switch between a fully electric mode and a hybrid one that uses both electricity and gasoline. BYD claims the F3DM can travel as far as 100 miles after one charge under its full-electric mode. With the small gasoline engine engaged, it can support longer trips.
According to automotive media reports, the F3DM can fully recharge its batteries off standard electrical sockets in seven hours; from a specialized charging station the time is three hours. Shorter charges are possible for emergencies. However, the limited charging facilities have prevented F3DM sales to the general public as yet.
The municipal government is also planning to build charging infrastructure to support users of the vehicle, Wu told Caijing. He added that in 2010, Shenzhen will host the 25th World Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition.
BYD Auto launched the F3DM on Dec 15. On the same day, the Shenzhen municipal government and China Construction Bank signed contracts to buy 30 cars each.
Sales to individuals are expected to start in the fourth quarter in Shenzhen, and BYD is collaborating with government agencies to build 20 charging facilities, an executive with a BYD sales unit told Caijing.
Charging stations are seen as critical for wider acceptance of plug-in hybrids as the cars are battery-dominant, with only small conventional engines as backup or for use in certain situations. Many of the current hybrids on the market are still largely based on fossil-fuel engines with part-time electric motors deployed when conditions warrant to enhance fuel efficiency.
The State Council, China's cabinet, earlier this year set a target for alternative-energy automobiles at 5 percent of passenger vehicle sales by 2011, with each major domestic automaker offering at least one model. For all types of vehicles, the government's sales target is 10 million units in 2009, with annual growth averaging 10 percent over the next three years.
Miao Wei, an Industry and Information Technology vice minister, told Caijing in March that the central government is considering reimbursing buyers of alternative-energy cars by 10,000 to 50,000 yuan.