Drivers In China Look To Electric Cars

The heavy smog shrouding Beijing has proved to be a boon for China's nascent electric car market, with some dealers saying inquiries about all-electric models are up by almost a tenth.

Beijing issued a first 3-day pollution "red alert" on December 7, and set out measures to combat the hazardous smog, including limiting the use of conventional petrol-powered and hybrid cars to alternate days.

But all-electric vehicles are free to drive in the capital at any time. And that's prompted a rush of inquiries from would-be buyers, dealers and automakers say.

Government subsidies and other government measures have helped pure-electric car sales soar nearly five-fold to 113,810 nationwide in the first 10 months of the year, putting China on track to overtake the United States as the largest market for electric cars this year.

Automakers including Tesla Motors and Beijing Automotive Group's electric car subsidiary say they have seen an uptick in potential buyers asking about pure electric cars in Beijing because of the pollution - though many don't dare leave home to do so.

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