SHENZHEN expects to sell about 35,000 new-energy cars by 2012, of which about 25,000 will be private cars, yesterday s Chinese-language newspapers reported.
The number of charging stations will reach 89 and the number of charging poles 47,500.
The network of charging points will include main streets, residential areas and public parking areas, said Zhang Zhixian, vice director general of the city s power supply bureau.
So far, about 180 electric cars have been sold, while an airport charging station with 44 charging poles and four charging stations with 180 charging poles have started operating across the city, Zhang said.
Residents could apply to the power supply bureau to have charging equipment installed and they could also join promotional activities organized by the bureau, Zhang said.
To promote electric cars, the city has held four test drive events for motorists in Futian, Luohu, Bao an and Longgang districts since Oct. 17, attracting more than 1,000 drivers.
At one event Sunday in Longgang District, driver Tang Yimei said of the cars: They re very convenient and comfortable to drive, so I ve decided to buy one.
Another driver, Wang, who owns a BYD F3DM, spoke of his dual-mode car s efficiency: I charge the car every day at home and the charge time takes about one night. Electricity is cheaper from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. and it costs me only about 5 yuan (US$0.75) to drive from Longgang to Futian and back, he said. It s very comfortable but I hope the manufacturer can improve the technology because I find it a little noisy after driving 70 kilometers. (Wang Yuanyuan)
