China Offers Billions in Government Subsidies As Electric Vehicles Run on Gasoline

摘要

China's ambitious plan to lower pollution by adopting 5 million electric cars is running into a problem-a lack of charging stations. Eddy Wu, a Shanghai resident, bought a plug-in hybrid because the car was eco-friendly, subsidized by the government and exempt from license-plate fees. Now he runs it mostly on gasoline, the electric capabilities largely wasted. His apartment complex and office won't let him charge the BYD Co. vehicle in their parking lots, saying it poses a fire risk. Using the nearest public charging station means driving 5 kilometers (3 miles) and paying cash. With gas prices expected to tumble with the almost 40 percent plunge in crude-oil since June, there will even less incentive to charge his Qin sedan.