Shanghai (ZXZC)- In a recent industrial summit, Mr. Ao Hong, the Director of the Guizhou Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department, unveiled an ambitious plan for the development of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the province. Guizhou province aspires to have 700,000 NEVs on its roads by 2026, accounting for 40% of all new vehicle sales.

Wuling Hongguang MINIEV; photo credit: SAIC-GM-Wuling

To expedite the establishment of an economic system geared towards green, low-carbon, and sustainable development, the Office of the People's Government of Guizhou Province recently issued a set of guidelines to promote the high-quality development of the NEV industry, known as the "Electric Guizhou" initiative.

According to these guidelines, starting in 2024, all newly added and replaced urban public-service buses must have an NEV component, constituting more than 90% of the total fleet, with Guiyang, the capital city, aiming for a remarkable 100% utilization.

In the effort to improve the supporting infrastructure for NEVs, Guizhou is intensifying its investments in charging and battery-swapping facilities at large shopping malls, supermarkets, sports venues, transportation hubs, and parking facilities. For new residential areas, 100% of fixed parking spots will be equipped with charging infrastructure or be designed to accommodate future installations, while adhering to safety standards.

Furthermore, Guizhou is actively exploring policies aimed at creating a favorable environment for the widespread adoption of NEVs. This includes examining highway toll fee discounts and parking incentives tailored for these vehicles, implementing time-of-day electricity pricing, so as to further reduce the overall cost of using NEVs.

In recent years, Guizhou province has experienced rapid growth in the number of NEVs, with approximately 165,000 of them registered by the end of 2022. The province has already achieved comprehensive coverage of charging stations in all its townships and is making significant strides towards its ambitious goals for a cleaner and more sustainable transportation future.