Shenzhen makes strides toward electric-powered taxis

Shenzhen is realizing its vision of a city with exclusively electric taxis with the launch of 3,191 of the vehicles on March 21.

The new energy vehicles, known as BYD e6, were manufactured by Chinese automotive company BYD and were officially launched at the company's base in Pingshan New District. It marks the largest single launch of fully-electric vehicles in Shenzhen. The new taxis are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 100,000 tons every year and will play a significant role in building a greener Shenzhen.

An agreement to launch the 3,191 electric taxis is signed by Shenzhen Xihu Company and automaker BYD on Dec 7 last year. [Photo/sznews.com]

Shenzhen currently leads the world in terms of number of electric taxis, with more than 13,000 of them currently traversing the streets of the southern Chinese city.

Over the past several years, the local government has developed a series of preferential policies to promote electric taxis, offering subsidies to those who purchase and use them, and extending their operation periods. The city also released a detailed plan which aims to make all its taxis electric by the end of 2020.

Shenzhen launches a total of 3,191 electric-powered taxis on March 21. [Photo/news.cnr.cn]

The cars, manufactured by famous Chinese automaker BYD, are launched at the BYD base in Pingshan New District in Shenzhen. [Photo/news.cnr.cn]