New Energy Updates | National and local governments have issued over 20 policies to vigorously promote the development of new-energy vehicles!

With the nation’s increasing emphasis on the new-energy vehicle industry, in the just-concluded month of April, The national and local authorities have jointly issued More than 20 policies related to new-energy vehicles have been introduced, including two at the national level and nearly 20 at the local level.

National level

1. Two departments issue a joint document: prioritizing support for the cascade utilization and recycling of retired power batteries.

The General Offices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Development Bank recently issued the “Notice of the General Offices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Development Bank on Accelerating Industrial Energy Conservation and Green Development.” The notice states that, in order to support the national strategy for ecological civilization and promote high-quality industrial development, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Development Bank will further leverage the advantages of their inter‑agency cooperation, fully harness green finance instruments, and provide robust support for energy conservation, consumption reduction, cost efficiency, and productivity enhancement in the industrial sector, thereby advancing green development. Priority will be given to initiatives involving the cascade utilization and recycling of retired power batteries from new‑energy vehicles.

2. State Council: Implement the Government Work Report and support the development of new-energy vehicles.

The State Council recently issued the “State Council Decision on Implementing…” The “Opinions on the Division of Responsibilities among Key Departments for Implementing the Government Work Report” states that efforts will be made to foster new‑energy vehicle industry clusters and boost sectoral development. In addition, preferential policies for the purchase of new‑energy vehicles will remain in place, while infrastructure for charging and hydrogen refueling will be further advanced.

Local level

1. Shaanxi Province has released a work plan for the Blue Sky Protection Campaign, supporting the promotion of new-energy vehicles.

The General Office of the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province recently issued the “Shaanxi Province Blue Sky Protection Campaign” The 2019 Work Plan states that Shaanxi Province will exempt eligible new‑energy vehicles from the vehicle acquisition tax and will continue to implement tax reductions or exemptions for energy‑efficient and new‑energy vehicles and vessels. The province will also vigorously promote green government procurement. In addition, it will accelerate the upgrading of the vehicle and vessel fleet by expediting the adoption of new‑energy or clean‑energy vehicles for newly added and replaced buses, sanitation vehicles, postal delivery vehicles, taxis, commuter vehicles, and light‑duty logistics and delivery vehicles in built‑up urban areas.

2. Zhejiang is fostering the development of the hydrogen energy industry, aiming to build at least 30 hydrogen refueling stations by 2022.

Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission On April 15, the “Several Opinions on Fostering the Development of the Hydrogen Energy Industry in Zhejiang Province (Draft for Public Comment)” was released, and public comments were solicited from April 15 to April 21. The draft states that by 2022, Zhejiang will have achieved breakthroughs in the hydrogen fuel cell and complete vehicle sectors, with the total output value of the hydrogen energy industry exceeding RMB 10 billion; the infrastructure network for hydrogen supply will be accelerated, with more than 30 hydrogen refueling stations—including integrated energy stations equipped with hydrogen‑refueling capabilities—being built; and pilot and demonstration projects will have yielded initial results, with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles being demonstrated and promoted in sectors such as public transportation and logistics, bringing the cumulative number of deployed hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to 1,000.

3. Yunnan: Accelerating the promotion and application of new-energy and clean-energy vehicles

The People’s Government of Yunnan Province recently issued the “Implementation Plan for the Tough Battle to Tackle Diesel Truck Pollution in Yunnan Province.” The Plan states that the adoption of new-energy vehicles and clean‑energy vehicles meeting China VI emission standards is encouraged for newly added and replaced buses, sanitation vehicles, postal delivery vehicles, taxis, commuter vehicles, and light‑duty logistics‑delivery vehicles in built-up urban areas.

4. Henan: The proportion of newly added taxis and logistics delivery vehicles powered by clean energy shall be no less than 85%.

The Henan Provincial Department of Transport recently issued the “Henan Provincial Transportation Industry…” The “2019 Implementation Plan for the Tough Battle Against Air Pollution” stipulates that, in 2019, all newly added and replaced public buses will be fully electric, and at least 85% of newly added or replaced postal, taxi, and light‑duty logistics delivery vehicles will transition to clean energy sources, with new energy vehicles taking the lead.

5. Henan: National VI standards to be implemented on July 1; studying the establishment of an operational subsidy mechanism for new-energy vehicles.

The Henan Provincial Department of Transport recently issued the “Implementation Plan for the Province-wide Campaign to Tackle Diesel Truck Pollution in the Transportation Sector.” The plan states that… Effective July 1, the China VI emission standards for motor vehicles will be implemented ahead of schedule across the entire province; the use of new-energy vehicles and gas‑powered vehicles that meet the China VI standards will be promoted. Those who retire older vehicles early and purchase new‑energy freight trucks will be eligible for the current central government purchase‑subsidy policy.

6. Eleven departments in Jilin Province have issued the Implementation Plan for the Tough Battle on Diesel Truck Pollution Control.

Jilin Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, etc. Recently, 11 government departments issued the “Implementation Plan for the Action Plan to Win the Battle Against Diesel Truck Pollution in Jilin Province.” The plan calls for strengthening the management of newly manufactured diesel vehicles, intensifying emission inspections of in-use motor vehicles, and accelerating the phasing out and deep‑level retrofitting of older vehicles. It also promotes the use of new‑energy non‑road mobile machinery, advances green freight transport, and boosts research, development, and wider adoption of new‑energy vehicles. Starting in 2019, all newly added or replaced buses, sanitation vehicles, postal delivery vehicles, taxis, commuter vehicles, and light‑duty logistics delivery vehicles within urban built-up areas are required to prioritize new‑energy or clean‑energy models.

7. Inner Mongolia: Accelerate the promotion and application of standardized new-energy urban freight delivery vehicles.

Inner Mongolia recently released the “Implementation Plan for the Three-Year Action Plan to Promote the Adjustment of the Transport Structure in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.” (2018–2020), the notice states that Inner Mongolia will advance pilot programs for green urban freight delivery, accelerate the promotion and application of standardized new-energy urban freight delivery vehicles, and promote end-to-end information exchange and sharing across the entire urban freight delivery chain.

8. Tianjin’s all-electric freight vehicles are exempt from license-plate-based driving restrictions, but must obtain a dedicated通行 permit.

Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau On April 3, the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau issued a notice announcing the continued implementation of vehicle restriction measures. The notice stipulates that pure‑electric light‑ and micro‑size van‑type cargo vehicles and pure‑electric light‑ and micro‑size enclosed‑body cargo vehicles registered in Tianjin are exempt from restrictions based on vehicle license‑plate tail numbers and from time‑of‑day limits during morning and evening rush hours.

9. Shanghai: Promote 50,000 new-energy vehicles and build 4,000 public charging stations.

The Office of the Shanghai Municipal Leading Group for Addressing Climate Change and Promoting Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction recently issued the “Shanghai Municipal…” The “Key Work Plan for Energy Conservation, Emission Reduction, and Climate Change Response in 2019” states that the transportation energy mix will be vigorously optimized. Efforts to promote new‑energy vehicles will be stepped up, with 50,000 new‑energy vehicles introduced; all buses undergoing replacement will be new‑energy models, and 1,200 new‑energy buses will be deployed. The infrastructure for charging stations will be improved and expanded, with 4,000 public charging points completed. Furthermore, port‑area operational vehicles will be transitioned to all‑electric or clean‑energy alternatives.

10. Shanghai: Starting July 1, light-duty vehicles will be subject to China VI emission standards.

Shanghai City On April 19, a notice was issued stating that, effective July 1, 2019, light-duty vehicles registered in Shanghai—including those transferred from other provinces and municipalities—will be subject to the National Stage VI emission standards for motor vehicle air pollutants.

11. Enhancing the Management of Charging Infrastructure: The Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission has conducted surveys, statistical analyses, and a review of approval procedures.

The Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission stated that To address issues such as the lack of accurate data on the number and distribution of new‑energy vehicle charging facilities in Shenzhen, as well as irregularities in the construction approval (filing) procedures, and to further enhance the planning, construction, and operational management of charging infrastructure across the city, it is proposed to conduct a citywide survey and statistical compilation of new‑energy vehicle charging facility information, along with a review and streamlining of the construction approval (filing) processes.

12. Tangshan has redefined the areas where the use of high-emission motor vehicles and non-road mobile machinery is prohibited.

Tangshan On April 24, the Tangshan Municipal People’s Government issued the “Notice on Redefining Areas Prohibiting the Use of High-Emission Motor Vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery,” stating that Tangshan will re‑designate zones where such vehicles and machinery are banned. In particular, based on the road network surrounding the urban area, diesel trucks meeting emission standards lower than China IV (excluding China IV) may bypass these areas via designated routes.

13. Tangshan: Notice on Issuing Passes for Pure Electric New Energy Trucks

Tangshan On April 27, the Tangshan Municipal Public Security Traffic Police Detachment issued the “Notice on Issuing Passes for Pure‑Electric New‑Energy Freight Vehicles,” aimed at further standardizing and optimizing traffic management for urban delivery vehicles and implementing a differentiated access policy for new‑energy freight trucks.

14. Jinan encourages the development of the hydrogen energy industry, offering subsidies of up to RMB 20 million.

Jinan recently unveiled the “Ten Policies for Promoting Industrial Development in the Pilot Zone.” Article 5 of the policy explicitly states that priority will be given to developing the new‑energy industry, with encouragement extended to the construction of major new‑energy projects and focused support for the development and operation of the “China Hydrogen Valley” initiative. For investments in the construction of hydrogen‑energy science parks, hydrogen‑energy industrial parks, and hydrogen‑energy convention‑exhibition and business districts, as well as for projects that undertake or participate in national key science and technology programs or key R&D initiatives, eligible applicants may receive subsidies of up to RMB 20 million upon verification.

15. Heze City has released an action plan for the tough battle to prevent and control pollution from diesel trucks, promoting the use of new-energy vehicles.

General Office of the People’s Government of Heze City On April 8, the “Heze City Action Plan for Winning the Tough Battle Against Diesel Truck Pollution” was released. The plan states that the structure of the transportation fleet will be optimized, and the use of new‑energy and clean‑energy vehicles will be promoted. Efforts will be accelerated to ensure that 80% of newly added or replaced buses, sanitation vehicles, postal vehicles, taxis, commuter vehicles, and light‑duty logistics delivery vehicles in built‑up urban areas are powered by new‑energy or clean‑energy sources.

16. Fuzhou: By 2020, the new energy vehicle industry will achieve a total industrial output value of RMB 60 billion.

The Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government recently issued the “Opinions of the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government on Accelerating the Development of a Number of Industrial Bases to Create New Growth Drivers.” The opinion states that efforts will be accelerated to develop industrial bases for the new-energy vehicle sector. By 2020, the total industrial output value of the new-energy vehicle industry is expected to reach RMB 60 billion.

17. Changchun: Widely promoting and applying new-energy vehicles in the delivery sector.

The General Office of the Changchun Municipal People’s Government recently issued the “Changchun Municipal Plan for Implementing and Advancing the Three-Year Action Plan on Adjusting the Transport Structure.” The Implementation Plan (2018–2020) (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) states that Changchun City will actively promote standardized, box‑type, lightweight freight vehicles powered by clean energy, explore the use of center‑axle vehicle combinations and lightweight trailers, and accelerate the phasing out of outdated transport capacity. It will also intensify efforts to promote the adoption of new‑energy urban delivery vehicles and electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure.

18. Yangzhou: The express delivery industry is promoting the use of new-energy microvan trucks and other vehicles that meet national standards.

Yangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, Yangzhou Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Yangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation On April 12, a joint notice titled “Notice on Further Strengthening Road Traffic Safety Management for Electric Vehicles” was issued. The notice stated that efforts will be accelerated to phase out electric vehicles used for express delivery that do not meet relevant standards, and that the use of new‑energy micro‑vans and other vehicles compliant with national standards will be promoted.

19. Lu’an supports the development of the hydrogen fuel cell industry, offering subsidies of up to RMB 4 million.

People’s Government of Lu’an City On April 19, the Lu’an Municipal People’s Government issued the “Opinions on Vigorously Supporting the Development of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Industry,” which sets out three development goals: to strengthen and expand leading core enterprises and establish a hydrogen fuel cell industry cluster; to build a hub for attracting specialized talent centered on the hydrogen fuel cell sector; and to foster an industrial agglomeration base.