Cao Jianlin:China forms largest EV stage

According to SOHU that International Electric Vehicle Technology Innovation and Development Forum 2009 was held by Ministry of Science and Technology in the city of Chongqing in October 22nd and 23rd. .At the meeting, Cao Jianlin, the vice minister of Ministry of Science and Technology accepted an interview from SOHU.

Cao Jianlin, the vice minister of Ministry of Science and Technology

SOHU: My question will be concentrated on electric vehicles. Last month in Tianjin, we just interviewed our minister Wan in Davos Automobile Forum. He affirmed the expansion path of electric vehicles once again. Now we are wondering what policies the government will adopt to support the generalization of electric vehicles in the following period?

Cao: Electric vehicles are definitely the future direction of Chinese automobile industry. Moreover, China has the advantage to expanse electric vehicles.

First, why I say electric vehicles are the orientation of development of China automobile industry? Synthetically, the disparity in electric vehicles is far smaller than traditional vehicles. In addition, now China is developing at a rapidly speed while our logistics industry falls behind temporarily. Then how to quicken up the pace of logistics industry? The answer is through types of vehicles.

Second, we get a unique superiority to promote electric vehicles because China is so big a nation that can form, that I can say, the largest proving ground. This is quite different from other countries. In developed countries, only a small mount of people use electric vehicles, including new energy vehicles. Nevertheless, in China, only the upper income bracket can afford cars as a means of transportation. Due to the reality, we can adopt an approach more fit for our public policies to support the development of eclectic vehicles.

The number public vehicles in need in China will no doubt larger that any other country in the world for it is also the most populous. For example, about 100 cities of China have a population of more that 1 million. If all the public vehicles are transformed into eclectic ones, a prosperous industry can be formed easily. From hundreds to thousands and then thousands to millions, Both the development of new energy vehicles and the expansion of electric vehicles have to experience this course, in which pilot plants and a sufficient amount of consumers should be provided as a strong bolster. Which country has this sort of capability besides China?

I have a real taste of this exciting new trend. In 29th last month, our Ministry of Science and Technology conducted the China-America Electric Vehicle Symposium together with USA Department of Energy, which is formerly totally unimaginable. Besides, previously 100 invitations would only bring in 10 persons at most. But this time we gave out only 30 invitations while 70 showed up. This also proves that we have gained the strength to join in the talk and receive more attention.

We have the confidence that after ten to twenty years’ development, our electric vehicle industry will take a leading position in the whole world.(Translator: Yalong/ Jessie)

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