The Tesla Model S — now available for purchase throughout much of China — is exempt from the very expensive fees and costs associated with getting a license plate in the city of Shanghai, according to recent reports.
The process of getting a license-plate in China typically involves time, money (sometimes as much as $15,000), and perhaps even a bit of luck. Chinese-made EVs are often exempt from this process, but until now, foreign-made EVs weren’t.
Owing to the great hype behind the vehicle (or perhaps some behind-the-scenes wrangling), it appears that the Model S will now be exempt as well. Well, the first 3,000 will be anyways. After that allotment is met, a new batch will need to be requested from the local government. I can probably pretty guess what the reason for such a system is, and what type of activity it supports, but that probably would make me sound a bit rude. 🙂 Anyways…
The general reason for such an exemption in the highly polluted mega-cities of China is pretty clear — the more EVs, the less gas or diesel-powered vehicles there are on the road, and therefore the less air pollution there is in the city.
The exemption is just one of many means of reducing air pollution that the economic powerhouse is currently pursuing. Other programs include: other strong economic subsidies for EVs; new, stricter fuel economy standards; and the closure of old coal-fired power plants (which has had a pronounced effect on the health of children).