Prospective Tesla owners in the Chinese municipality of Tianjin can apply for a license plate without having to enter the lottery or auction required for petrol-driven vehicles propelled by gasoline, the company said on Monday.

The action by Tianjin follows similar changes in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen who have also made it easier for Tesla buyers to get license plates.

While China has been promoting hybrid and electric vehicles to battle air pollution, electric vehicles made by some foreign car makers, including the high-profile model from Tesla Motors, have yet to make the list of new energy vehicles endorsed by authorities in Chinese cities that impose quotas on private car ownership.

In Beijing, prospective Tesla buyers still have to try their luck in a license plate lottery held every two months, while buyers of other electric vehicles, mostly produced by domestic car makers such as BYD and BAIC, have a better chance of getting license plate from a separate lottery pool.

Tesla has built hundreds of charging posts across China, including many in scenic spots to ensure power supply for Tesla owners traveling long distances. Endi

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