China has introduced its first fuel-efficiency standards for passenger cars, moving to control soaring oil consumption and ensure foreign automakers share their latest technology, the government said yesterday.
The fuel efficiency standards, which set requirements for how much fuel a car can use every 100km, have been under discussion for years.
They were approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, early last month, said an official at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center, which proposed the standards.
The new standards could oblige foreign automakers to boost their already ambitious investment plans for China because they may have to modify some vehicles due to be introduced here.
Initially some foreign carmakers opposed the plans, fearing the added costs of compliance. Foreign manufacturers have also urged China to force suppliers to clean up the substandard diesel and gasoline now sold throughout the country, complaining that bad fuel ruins high-tech engines.
Although the domestic car industry is booming, China has relied heavily on tie-ups with global giants such as General Motors Corp and Volkswagen AG and has long accused foreign partners of withholding advanced technology.
"This is good for China," Yang Fuqiang, chief representative of the Energy Foundation's Beijing office, said of the new standards.
"If you have no standards then the foreign automakers can bring in their cheaper technology."
The new requirements are stricter than US standards, which haven't been updated for more than 20 years, Yang noted.
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