HUZHOU, China, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tianneng Group chairman Zhang Tianren has posited that the development of the new energy economy will bring benefits for centuries to come, as battery-powered new energy cars can better satisfy the practical daily travel needs of most people.
Zhang has spent many years studying the demographics of China's second and third tier cities and found that over 70% of China's population live in small and mid-sized cities, their suburbs, and in the country's vast rural areas. Their daily commuting distances are usually less than 20 km, traveled at speeds rarely reaching 60 km/h (37 mph). What they need is a light-weight, low-speed, short-range electric vehicle with a higher cost performance, lower power consumption, and smaller battery, that is also environment friendly, comfortable, and safe. Based on these findings, the development of such vehicles not only conforms to the overall strategy for the development of China's ecological infrastructure, but also fits a realistic market demand and benefits the country's ongoing urbanization.
However, there is still lack of consensus for the need of such vehicles in current discussions. Zhang suggests a liberalization of policies, strengthening of guidance and mandating of specifications, upgrading of industries, and institution of policies that encourage technological innovation. He believes that at this stage in China's growth trajectory, new energy vehicles need to become an everyday element.
