The Chinese government is set to introduce a pilot program to subsidize the purchase of electric and hybrid cars in select cities.
Residents of Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Hefei and Changchun who purchase plug-in hybrid cars will be entitled to receive a subsidy of 50,000 yuan, or about 7,300 U.S. dollars. The maximum subsidy for a full electric car will be 60,000 yuan.
While many say the new policy is in line with China's plans to cut emissions in what is now the world's largest car market, others have voiced concerns that the so-called green cars may create more emissions.
An opinion piece in the "Shanghai Evening Post" points out that the electricity that powers electric cars is mainly generated by coal in China. It quotes an expert who said we should be on guard against the pollution produced in the process of new energy generation. It also notes an energy source cannot be described as "clean" if it produces pollutants in the process of generating power.
Echoing this sentiment, a commentary on SZ news.com argues that the rising demand for electric cars generated by the subsidies will lead to high power consumption and the creation of more carbon emissions. It notes the new emissions will not be found in big cities where more electric cars will be seen on roads as a result of the subsidies, but will be generated in the provinces of Shann'xi, Shanxi, Hebei and Henan, which have a large number of fossil-fuel power plants.
In conclusion, the commentary says it is ridiculous for the government to push for low-carbon lifestyles in big cities at the cost of environmental degradation in provinces that are rich in resources.
