China Amps Up Electric Car Movement

The world’s second largest economy is gearing up its electric car business and many are taking note.

Beginning at the turn of this century, China made a public commitment to becoming a world leader in electric cars. In fact, according to some reports, the government declared it would have one-half million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2011.

Bold words but the results didn’t match expectations, that is until recently.

During the period from 2000 through 2014, China’s auto market expanded tremendously. In 2000, the country produced about 2 million, according to statistics from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.

In contrast, last month China’s Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that sales surpassed 23 million – thus establishing China as the largest auto market in the world.

Factors at play include domestic and international investment in fuels and technology and an ever-demanding, increasingly Western-style consumer base. But along with progress has come dangerous levels of pollution.

According to recent market studies, during the last four months of 2014, EV sales in China have soared. By some estimates, electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles have approximated 27,000 in that period – leapfrogging those in the U.S. for the same period.

If the numbers hold up and the trend continues, China may very well dominate the globe in terms of green transit news and initiatives.

Category: General Update, Green