China considers testing no-go zones for petrol cars

SHANGHAI, Aug 23 (SMM) – China’s policymakers are considering pilot zones where petrol or diesel vehicles are banned, preparing for the set-up of a timetable for the fossil fuel phase-out.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said that factors such as technology costs, market demand and emission levels should be taken into account in regard to the ban on sales of traditional automobiles that rely on fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engines, according to its response released earlier this week on its website to a proposal from China's parliament.

Setting no-go zones for gasoline-powered vehicles is expected to help pave the way for wide adoption of new energy vehicles.

The Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation expects China to take all petrol or diesel vehicles off the road by 2050, according to a report the center released in April.