China may lower EV quotas

China is considering easing proposed quotas aimed at producing more electric vehicles, as Beijing gets pushback from the automotive industry over the scale and pace of the plans. If adopted, proposed changes under discussion could see a target of new energy vehicles (NEV) making up 8% of sales next year pushed to 2019, two auto executives said, according to Reuters. The changes would lower targets from a draft policy released in September requiring 8% of automakers’ sales to be battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2018, rising to 10% in 2019 and 12% in 2020. Any loosening of NEV targets would mark a pull back by Beijing, which looks to drive its domestic carmakers to overtake global rivals in the ‘green’ vehicle sector. Automakers and industry bodies have said the targets are too tough and could hurt manufacturers’ interests.