Wanting to build an energy-efficient society and cut emission pollution, Shanghai will phase out inefficient automobiles, starting with official government vehicles.

Chief economist with Shanghai Development and Reform Committee Zhou Ya, speaking at the August 31 press conference, said that his committee, along with local traffic authority, has worked out a guide for this auto cut program.

After researching auto management with government departments, the committee will provide standards for fuel consumption in official vehicles. However, the committee will be aware of the fiscal issues, Zhou noted.

"It will surely cost huge public expenditures if we remove the inefficient autos and replace them with new ones," he said.

As to vehicles in the public transport services such as taxies and buses, Zhou Minhao, assistant to director with Shanghai Economic Committee, said such autos in Shanghai basically meet the emission standard.

Disclosing that Shanghai will further expand use of low-emission autos according to the nation's requirement, he said the government is still studying the standards for these cars.

(Shanghai Daily September 6, 2005)