“Smart” roadway in Shanghai part of China’s push for new energy vehicles

China 24

"Smart" roadway in Shanghai part of China's push for new energy vehicles

It’s full speed ahead – when it comes to electric vehicles in China.

Technology is rapidly developing in the cars and on the roads they travel.

CGTN’s Frances Kuo has more.

To get a sense of where smart technology is headed, look no further than a so-called “intelligent” road in Shanghai.

“President Xi has positioned Shanghai as the global innovation center,” said Rong Wenwei, Board Chairman of Shanghai International Automobile City. “Accordingly, our automobile industry should play this role and take the lead.” The technology allows driverless “new energy vehicles,” or NEVs to communicate with each other through sensors embedded in the road.

The cars can retrieve data about elements of the driving environment, including pedestrians and streetlights.

The idea is to create a greener environment, safer experience and better traffic flow.

“The key to intelligence lies in safety while networking is important for efficiency,” said Rong.  “So the next decade will be one for redefining products, reshaping commercial models and re-creating the consumption culture.”

Construction is underway on the road which is now nearly 10 kilometers.  The plan is to expand it to 150 by 2020.

China has already sped ahead of the pack in the world green car industry.  According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China saw sales of new energy vehicles spike to 777,000 in 2017; that up more than 50% from the year before.

“Our goal is to have 600,000 new energy vehicles by 2020 in the transportation sector,” said Liu Baohua, Vice Director of the National Energy Administration.  “We will promote and apply the intelligent management system of urban public transport and extend urban bus routes to suburban areas.”

The government is encouraging demand by offering incentives like tax rebates and hopes reducing the costs of NEVs will fuel their popularity over traditional vehicles down the road.


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