Auto aspirations fade as capital tightens limits

For Liu Chenyu, the chances that she will be able to own a car in Beijing seem to get slimmer all the time.

At the lottery to receive one of the capital's limited number of license plates in late October, the odds were 90-to-1 against her winning and once again, she was disappointed.

The 28-year old translator registered her name in the lottery system immediately after she obtained a Beijing hukou in March, although she acquired her driving license in 2009, when she was a senior student in a Chengdu-based university.

"There is little hope now. It will get more difficult to get picked as there will be much fewer license plates starting in 2014," said Liu with a listless smile.

According to an emission-control plan the city government released on Nov 4, the number of license plates for small passenger vehicles that it issues each year will stand at 150,000 from 2014 to 2017.

That is a 25 percent fall from the current figure of 240,000 each year since the lottery system was initiated in January 2011.

Though the system was originally designed to curb traffic congestion, the reduction in the number of license plates is meant to alleviate the city's notorious air pollution, according to the plan.

Vehicle exhaust has become a major culprit of the poor air quality in Beijing, People's Daily reported.

It accounted for 22.2 percent of the city's PM 2.5 pollutants in 2012, followed by coal burning, which contributed 16.7 percent, it reported citing statistics from the city's environmental protection bureau.

It might be because of this that the share of green cars has risen gradually in the city's new license plate system.

According to the newly released plan, there will be 20,000 plates for electric or other clean-energy vehicles in 2014 and 30,000 in 2015.

The figure will double to 60,000 in 2016 and 2017, accounting for 40 percent of the total.

China News Service reported that those who want to purchase green vehicles might find it easier to get a license plate.

According to the report, the government might introduce a different lottery system for such vehicles but due to a relatively smaller market, there will be little difficulty as long as those who register are qualified.

Though the details will not be known until the city's transport commission releases the 2014 plan for small passenger vehicles in late November, one thing for sure is that some green car models have been available for individuals, it reported.

Those who are qualified for the license plate lottery system can purchase the BAIC's E150EV electric car right away, the reported quoted a BAIC salesman as saying.

But the purchasers will not be allowed to have another license plate for petroleum vehicles.

Biggest concern

Despite the government's efforts to promote green vehicles, many potential buyers are reluctant, with their biggest concern being the travel distance.

"Fully charged electric cars can run about 140 kilometers. It is too short a distance if you drive in such big cities as Beijing," said Cui Lina, a 27-year-old office worker.

"You have to work out a plan where to go and how far the destination is before you start the car.

"Otherwise, you won't be able to return home if the car runs out of electricity."

Cui said another disadvantage of electric cars is they have a lower speed than conventional vehicles and is thus not suitable for the young people.

Also, because they are something new in China, she does not think their quality is as good as petroleum-fueled vehicles.

"It might take me a long time to get a license plate through the lottery system, but I will not consider green cars in the near future," Cui said. Her words are echoed by Zhang Yu, a 32-year-old IT engineer.

"There are few charging stations, and I hear it is expensive to replace the batteries," said Zhang.

China News Service reported that there are 65 charging stations in Beijing, most of which serve buses, taxis and other public vehicles.

The government is planning to build other charging stations in 2014. "I know it is getting an increasingly larger share in the city's license quota.

"It won't be a first option now, but I might try if automakers produce good cars and offer good after-sales service and the government provides enough charging stations," said Zhang.

"After all, who doesn't want to have a breath of fresh air?"

In addition to promoting green vehicles, the government has come up with other measures to combat air pollution.

The transport authorities will only allow license plates ending in even or odd numbers to be on roads on alternating days when there is a red alert on air quality, according to a trial emergency plan for severe air pollution the city released in late October.

The plan also prohibits another 30 percent of vehicles for official use from starting their engines on the basis of the even-odd license plate rule.

The rule was introduced in 2007 when the city prepared for the Olympics in 2008. Neighboring Tianjin and Hebei province have also introduced similar measures.

Though it is seen as an emergency measure, experts said it has helped alleviate air pollution in Beijing.

It could help cut 15 percent of the city's PM 2.5 pollutants, Fang Li, deputy chief of the Beijing Bureau of Environmental Protection, told People's Daily.

Li Kunsheng, an official in charge of vehicle emission at the bureau, admits the rule is the last choice in an interview with People's Daily.

If there is a red alert, any measure that can cut the source of pollutants should be put in place, Li said.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/11/2013 page18)