R&D support needed for EV industry

By He Wei in Shanghai | China Daily | Updated: 2013-05-31 08:12

A customer prepares to recharge an electric vehicle at Tsinghua University Science Park in Beijing, where 15 electric cars are available for rent. China encourages the use of green vehicles by offering subsidies and simple license procedures for electric-car buyers. Deng Jia / for China Daily

China is to shift the direction of its financial backing of the new-energy vehicle sector, by supporting research and development efforts of its main automakers, rather than simply offering consumer discounts on vehicle purchases, a senior minister said on Thursday.