MINHANG District is to offer an additional 20,000 yuan (US$3,200) subsidy — in addition to the 60,000 national subsidy — for the buyers of new-energy cars in a test operation, the district government announced over the weekend.

Motorists who live or work in the district for more than two years can receive the subsidies directly if they buy new-energy cars that include the electric and hybrid, the government said.

That means, a buyer of an electric car can be subsidized by some 80,000 yuan — plus a free car plate offered by the city government.

But some customers also have concerns.

One problem is charging, with most residential communities around the city lacking facilities.

Zhang Yiyi, a city resident who was among the first to drive an electric car in a pilot program, said the power company had to install a charging point at his home. However, the charge time is about 16 hours.

Cable from balcony

“It’s still quite good for me,” said Zhang, whose previous car cost him more than 1,600 yuan a month in gasoline. The electricity charge should be around 150 yuan a month, he calculated. Zhang drives about 60 kilometers a day for commuting.

Another electric car buyer in Minhang surnamed He has to run an electricity cable from his balcony on the second floor to charge his electric car.

“I have to shuttle between the city’s power supplier, the property management company and the car manufacturer to apply for a charging facility at home,” he said.

China will have some additional 35,000 electric cars this year, plus another 25,000 hybrid vehicles, through its commitment to promote eco-friendly transport.

According to the national policy, a private buyer of an electric passenger car will receive a maximum subsidy of 60,000 yuan. A buyer of an electric plug-in hybrid will enjoy a maximum subsidy of 35,000 yuan.

In Shanghai, car plates for green vehicles are free, as the city — China’s pilot city for the development of electric vehicles — encourages cleaner energy cars. Last month’s car plate price for other vehicles was 74,500 yuan.