Yang Li
In a push to encourage the adoption of electric cars, Beijing authorities will now allow Chinese customers to buy certain BMW and Tesla electric vehicle (EV) models which were previously not permitted.
China’s Premier, Li Keqiang, held a meeting at the State Council yesterday, indicating the government would remove limits on the purchase and use of all electric vehicles (EV), Xinhua reports.
Following the State Council’s decision, Beijing authorities announced guidelines that would allow the purchase of electric vehicles manufactured by Tesla, BMW and other EV companies.
Six types of Tesla’s S series will reportedly be included. Tesla’s Model S 70d and P85D, as well as BMW’s i3 will now be purchasable, according to official statements.
Local and state governments offer subsidies for the purchase of EV’s from BYD, Geely, and BMW. Tesla’s Model S series is presently not entitled for subsidies.
Tesla started selling two of its models in China from last year. In April, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk said China was the only market in the world where there was excess Tesla inventory. A US$70,000 Tesla can be sold at doubled price in China.
“Many thanks to the Beijing government for promoting imported EV companies like Tesla,” said Zhu Xiaotong, the General Manager of Tesla China.
Zhu mentioned that the company will introduce a new service to provide Chinese customers easier access to licence plates for EV’s, which it hopes will help facilitate Tesla’s business in China.
In Beijing the license plate lottery system was implemented in order to stem the increase of vehicles on Beijing’s roads. EV’s will be freed from the license plate lottery system according to new regulations released by the State Council.
According to iFeng Auto, over two million Beijing residents participated in last month’s license plate lottery with only ten thousand license plates issued.
(Feature photo from Baidu)