2011 SU Update: Green Vehicles to serve Universiade

SHENZHEN – The OC of the 2011 Summer Universiade will put 2,011 new-energy vehicles on the road during the Universiade in August, said Wu Delin, vice head of the city’s development and reform commission, at yesterday’s launch ceremony of the campaign to encourage low-carbon commuting.

“The vehicles include 1,370 hybrid buses, 270 electric buses, 300 electric taxies and 62 vehicles powered by fuel cells”, said Wu.

Wu said more than 40 charging stations would be available during the Games, 31 of which are under construction.

In addition, the 77 bus routes running with the new-energy buses would cover the Games’ 44 venues, said Wu. A total of 3,810 vehicles would be needed during the Games, according to Wu.

One of the 13 pilot cities in the country to promote the use of new-energy vehicles, Shenzhen has set up the country’s first carbon account platform for new-energy car users, www.5igreen.org, which is run by CANGO Green Commuting Fund.

“With an account, each user of new-energy cars can receive subsidies or awards from the fund based on their carbon emission reductions, which can be converted from their driving mileage”, said Zhang Jianyu, who is in charge of the fund. A card payment system will be available for drivers in charging their electric vehicles.

Besides new-energy car users, ordinary citizens can also open an account on the platform and buy carbon credits by offsetting carbon emission in their daily commuting, according to Zhang. Through this platform, enterprises can offer awards to the residents who practice a low-carbon way of commuting.

In addition, Shenzhen will promote low-carbon commuting at schools, residential communities and enterprises.

(Source: Wang, Shenzhen Daily Editor)