- Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) should be 63% and 87% of total automobile sales by 2030 and 2035, respectively, in China, Greenpeace says.
- Vehicle Emission is projected to peak at the end of this decade and then reduce considerably in the next few years.
Policymakers and manufacturers should follow event tougher and aggressive EV roadmap so that China can meet the carbon-neutral target in 2060.
As per a research published by the environmental advocacy group, China must meet a stiff target of EV share of 63% in 2030 and a whopping 87% in 2035 to meet the 20% emissions-cut target in 2035.
Bao Hang, a project leader from the Beijing office of Greenpeace East Asia, cautioned, “Cutting emissions is cumulative; the longer you wait, the more impossible it becomes”.
UBS has also made a forecast that 60% of the vehicles would be ‘new energy vehicles (NEV). China already has 14.8% of all car sales are coming from EVs, which is quite impressive. This has been fueled by two factors. The reasons are government subsidy and steady inflow of vehicles into the market.
Carbon Emission in China
The transport sector accounted for 10% of the carbon emission in China in 2020, and it is the third-largest contributor of emission after the industrial and power sector.
Carbon Emission Roadmap in China
The estimated total emissions from the transport sector would peak in 2028 and would be reduced to 20% of the peak value in 2035. Chinese government expect to achieve zero-emission by 2060.
Technological Changes
For the transport industry to meet the emission target, the automotive industry has to replace the Internal Combustion engine (ICEs) with Electric Vehicles (EVs) or vehicles running on hydrogen fuel cells (FCVs). Greenpeace predicted the carmakers would be under pressure if sales targets are capped in future, according to SCMP.
As per Greenpeace, if Chinese carmakers are not able to phase out the ICEs entirely by 2030, they may find it increasingly difficult to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Currently, carmakers in China are far behind. And especially foreign brands, which have a huge, influential presence in the Chinese market, are the farthest behind,” Bao added.
Projection of Global Carmakers in China
Volkswagen and Honda have projected to produce 50% and 40% NEVs in 2030, which are falling short of the stiff Chinese target of 63%.
