Under the so-called cap-and-trade policy, automakers must obtain a new energy vehicle score of at least 10% starting in 2019

by BLOOMBERG

BEIJING • China unveiled a comprehensive set of emission rules and delayed a creditscore programme tied to the production of electric cars, giving automakers more time to prepare for the phasing out of fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

Under the so-called cap-andtrade policy, automakers must obtain a new energy-vehicle score — which is linked to the production of various types of zeroand low-emission vehicles — of at least 10% starting in 2019, rising to 12% in 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on its website. The rule applies to carmakers that manufacture or import more than 30,000 traditional vehicles annually and those who fail to comply must buy credits or face fines.

“This is the single most important piece of electric vehicle (EV) legislation globally,” said Colin McKerracher, a London-based analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

“Overall, it provides further support for the EV industry in China. EV sales will continue growing quickly, despite the phase-down in direct subsidies.”

China previously proposed to start implementing the policy next year, a target that was viewed by automakers as overly ambitious. China, which has vowed to cap its carbon emission by 2030 and curb worsening air pollution, joins the UK and France in seeking a timetable for the elimination of vehicles using petrol and diesel. The country needs to use alternative energy to power some 200 million vehicles that ply its roads and reduce dependence on oil imports.

The targets look achievable for the industry as a whole, McKerracher said. Considering the credit structure, 12% in 2020 would translate to about 4% to 5% of actual vehicle sales, he said.

“Political considerations must have weighed in on the decision to delay the commencement date by a year,” said Cao He, chairman of Quanlian Auto Investment Management Co. “Local automakers will likely benefit from this as they will have more buffer time to get ready on the technology front.”

Honda Motor Co, which plans to sell an EV in China next year and plans to expand that business going forward, will work to achieve the credit-score target, a company spokeswoman said. Toyota Motor Corp refrained from commenting on a specific government policy.

“China is sending a clear signal to domestic automakers that had been dragging their feet on EVs that it’s time to get on board,” McKerracher said.

Earlier this month, China’s government said it’s working on a timetable to phase out fossil-fuel powered vehicles, helping lift shares of local automakers such as BYD Co, a carmaker that’s backed by Warren Buffett. Groups like BYD, Geely, Chery and others will have excess credits, McKerracher said. — Bloomberg