CHINA is considering easing proposed quotas aimed at producing more electric vehicles, as the government gets pushback from the automotive industry over the scale and pace of the plans.

    If adopted, proposed changes under discussion could see a target of new energy vehicles (NEV) making up 8 percent of sales next year pushed to 2019, two auto executives said.

    The changes would lower targets from a draft policy released in September requiring 8 percent of automakers’ sales to be battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2018, rising to 10 percent in 2019 and 12 percent in 2020.

    Any loosening of NEV targets would mark a pull back by the government, which has faced opposition to the planned targets as it looks to drive its domestic carmakers to overtake global rivals in the “green” vehicle sector.

    Automakers and industry bodies have said the targets are too tough and could hurt manufacturers’ interests. New energy vehicles last year accounted for just 1.8 percent of sales in the world’s biggest auto market, according to Reuters calculations based on official data.

    “It’s normal to make revisions as it’s a draft plan,” An Jin, chairman of Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC Motor), said on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing.

    He said he was aware of talks to revise the quota targets, but said nothing was set in stone.

    (SD-Agencies)