China aims for half a million green vehicles by 2015

China has been actively promoting the use of environment friendly vehicles in recent years. The central government outlined its newest incentive program this September, to push for the use of new energy vehicles in 28 pilot cities.

According to the program, buyers of electric cars in these cities can receive up to 60,000 yuan ($10,000) in subsidies. Those who purchase hybrid vehicles can get subsidies up to 35,000 yuan. Only locally produced vehicles qualify for the subsidies.

Earlier this year, the government also announced a fund of 4 billion yuan to help manufacturers strengthen new-energy vehicle design, batteries and other related technologies. Last year, Chinese consumers only bought a little over 11,000 electric vehicles, out of total vehicle sales of 19.3 million. The country hopes to have half a million hybrid and electric vehicles on its roads by 2015 and five million by 2020.