On September 28, 2017 China reset a 10% minimum quota of “new energy vehicles” of an OEM annual vehicle sales for that year from next year to 2019 . In 2020, the quota will rise to 12% of annual sales. China’s ministry of industry and information technology said that producers, as well as importers, would need to prove that at least 10% of the cars they sell in 2019 are new energy vehicles or pay hefty fines. These comprise electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

BYD topped the new energy vehicle makers in sales in the first seven months of this year, delivering 46,855 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, resulting in about 30,000 credit points in the first half, according to the company’s calculation. Battery powered light duty vans are topping 60% in 2039 according to Chinese figures as China is phasing out fossil fuelled cars by 2030.

The European Commission is expected to reveal a draft EU CO2 emissions standards for cars in November. In 2016, average CO2 emissions in the EU stood at 118 grams per kilometre, making it difficult to reach the 2021 target of 95 grams, according to ACEA, the association of European automakers. ACEA’s secretary-general Erik Jonnaert told reporters on September 27 the group was pushing for a further 20% reduction in CO2 emissions from the 2021 baseline, as a target for 2030.

(Photo: fast charging in Beijing courtesy AP)