What it means to be green
- Source: Global Times
- [02:31 May 18 2011]
- Comments
An environmentally friendly car is on display at the auto show in Shanghai on April 20. Photo: CFP
By Liu Linlin
Although she is affected almost every day by car fumes while being stuck in traffic in Beijing, as a first-time car buyer, Yang Fan has no idea how her choice of car will affect the environment.
"I'm not clear about the definition of an environmentally friendly car. I'm just more concerned about whether my future car will save oil or last longer than other models," Yang said, adding that convenience and cost are priorities when it comes to purchasing a car.
Yang is by no means the only one who is confused about the concept of environmentally friendly cars. Since cars were introduced to ordinary Chinese households in the 1980s, for most buyers they have been something that brings convenience, social status and speed, while environmental friendliness remains a relatively new concept.
China has been the world's largest car producer and consumer market since 2009. This position was secured last year with over 36 million units in car production and sales, according to statistics released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
However, while cars have without question brought a great deal of convenience to Chinese consumers, they have also become the major contributor to pollution and energy consumption, with 44.55 million tons of pollutants released in 2009, according to statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
That's why making the car industry greener is part of China's national development strategy to reduce carbon emissions.
Carmakers flocked to exhibit their green car prototypes as well as models that have gone from concept to mass production at the latest auto show in Shanghai in order to satisfy both the policy and future markets.
