Guangzhou starts subsidy program for new energy vehicles

China’s Guangzhou city has started issuing subsidies for the purchase of so-called new energy vehicles. The subsidies were earlier announced in August.
The subsidy program entitles owners who have purchased new energy vehicles from August 1 onwards to be eligible to receive RMB10,000 (US$1,591) in national subsidies.
Since the announcement of the subsidy in August, sales of new energy vehicles, hybrid cars in particular, have increased considerably. Around 17,880 new cars will be registered in Guangzhou in December, out of which 1,220 will be new energy vehicles.
The city attracts registration of new energy vehicles as owners of such vehicles can register for plates for free in Guangzhou, while owners of traditional gasoline-fuelled vehicles have to buy plates for their cars at government auctions.