Beijing's quota for fuel car license plates has been reduced from 40,000 in 2021 to 30,000 in 2022, and the quota for NEV license plates has been increased from 60,000 to 70,000.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

In its latest move, Beijing, one of China's most restrictive cities for car purchases, is offering new support for new energy vehicles (NEVs).

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An announcement today by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport shows that the city is offering a quota of 100,000 car license plates in 2022, in line with 2021.

However, the quota for fuel vehicle license plates was reduced from 40,000 in 2021 to 30,000 in 2022, and the quota for NEV license plates was increased from 60,000 to 70,000.

This is to control fuel vehicle exhaust pollution and improve Beijing's air quality, and takes into account the rapid technological advances, including batteries, and range growth of NEVs, the announcement said.

Beijing currently manages car licenses according to an annual quota, and those eligible to apply for the quota must be holders of a local hukou (household registration) or have paid social insurance and personal income tax in the city for five consecutive years.

Notably, due to the large number of applicants, it usually takes several years for applicants to qualify for a car plate under the current mechanism.

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