China will vigorously support green transportation and gradually lift restrictions on the purchase of new energy vehicles, according to an implementation plan for promoting green consumption released by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic regulator, in Beijing on Friday.

The country will promote the use of NEVs without restrictions and give more support to their road rights. China will also encourage the building of more battery-swap stations and supporting infrastructure like energy storage and hydrogenation facilities, the plan said.

China will promote the use of NEVs in rural markets and encourage auto enterprises to develop more NEVs that can meet the needs of people in rural areas. The nation will also promote the use of NEVs in the public sector, and raise the share of NEVs in various vehicle categories like buses, taxis, sanitation and express delivery vehicles and cars used at airports.

"The Ministry of Commerce, together with the departments concerned, has been promoting green development of the automobile industry chain and has made significant achievements," said Wang Bin, an official with the ministry.

"We will continue to encourage consumers to buy NEVs, support the expanding circulation of used cars, and urge the withdrawal of high-emission vehicles from the market. The recycling of end-of-life cars can further prolong the life cycle of materials and help reduce carbon emissions," he said.

In 2021, 3.52 million electric cars and plug-in hybrids were sold, up 160 percent from 2020. Currently, China's ownership of NEVs reached 7.84 million units, accounting for 2.6 percent of the total car ownership in the country, and the number makes up for more than half of the total NEV ownership globally, the Ministry of Commerce said.

The plan also said China would guide banks and insurance institutions to standardize the development of financial services that promote green consumption. China will steadily expand the issuance scale of green bonds, and encourage financial institutions and nonfinancial institutions to issue green bonds.

China will encourage social capital in green consumption-related funds in a market-oriented manner. Besides, the government will encourage the development of insurance products related to NEVs and encourage insurance companies to provide cover for green buildings, the plan stated.

"The role of green consumption in China's transformation to a more low-carbon society, and in high-quality economic development, needs to be further reinforced. China will further improve the policy system and support the expanding supply and consumption of low-carbon products," said Chang Tiewei, deputy director of the Department of Employment, Income Distribution and Consumption at the NDRC.

Besides, the plan stated consumers should cultivate the habit of saving and stop squandering away precious resources, and called for certain goals related to green consumption to be accomplished by 2025 and 2030, respectively.

Consumers have shown higher awareness in saving resources. During the Nov 11 online shopping festival last year, sales of energy-saving electric fans and energy-saving air-conditioners surged 274 percent and 118 percent year-on-year, respectively.

The plan said China would comprehensively promote green consumption in several key sectors, including the promotion of green clothing, living, transportation, daily necessities, travel, electricity and green consumption at public institutions.

Besides, the government will support the services provided for green consumption technologies, including the promotion of advanced green low-carbon technologies, the development of green logistics, and the building of a recycling system for waste materials, the plan stated.

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