At the China Auto Innovation Forum held in Shanghai on 18 April, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang disclosed that the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) will introduce four measures to strengthen its support for new energy cars.

The four measures are: continue to increase input into the research and development of new energy cars; cooperate with other ministries and commissions in staging new energy car demonstrations and promotions; introduce supporting and encouraging policies; and organise the establishment of a new energy car industry alliance.

At present, China enjoys three advantages in developing new energy cars. First, with the global economy in the doldrums and the auto industry hard hit, developing new energy cars is a breakthrough point and profit growth area for the future development of the auto industry. Second, riding on the great efforts made in the past decade, China's new energy technology has achieved impressive progress, significantly narrowing the gap between China and internationally advanced countries. Third, early-stage small-scale demonstrations and experiences of foreign countries have provided useful references for the industrialisation of China's new energy cars.

Wan Gang further pointed out that to support new energy cars, MOST will increase its input into R&D and promote the industrialisation of electric cars, rechargeable hybrid cars and key parts and components. The ministry will also cooperate with relevant departments such as the Ministry of Finance in jointly organising energy saving campaigns across the country and in promoting and using new energy cars on a large scale. He estimates that by 2012 China will have 60,000 new energy cars on the road.