Hybrid car stars in anti-smog research show

The results of 170 science and technology research projects aimed at tackling smog problems afflicting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province are being exhibited in Hebei.

The exhibition by the Ministry of Science and Technology together with the municipal governments of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, is open to experts, business people and the public until August 15. Admission is free.

New energy vehicles are one of the popular areas in the exhibition with BYD Auto Company's new model, the Qin, a hybrid running on electricity and gas, generating great interest.

If the car runs out of electricity it can be switched to gas, said Wei Yanzhang from BYD's research and development department.

Recharging electric vehicles is a difficult issue as it takes time to establish recharge stations for new energy vehicles, said Wang Lifang, a researcher from the Institute of Electrical Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that her team is working on a wireless charge to provide more convenience to car owners.

Wan Gang, of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei are cooperating in science and technology with a joint vision of innovation, sharing resources, encouraging technology application and creating an innovative environment. That cooperation has effectively reduced smog days this year compared with previously, Wan said.