China to issue production permits to new makers of electric cars to boost production
As part of its new energy strategy and to encourage the electric car industry in the country, China is to grant production licenses to new manufacturers of electric cars.  This will allow companies without a car making background to apply for car production licenses for the first time as China tries to catch up with their ambitious plan to deploy 5 million electric cars by 2020. 

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China will soon grant production licenses to new manufacturers of electric cars as the country seeks expertise to help it achieve its new energy strategy.

Over 10 firms have submitted their applications for the exclusive permit to make new-energy cars, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei said in Beijing yesterday.

A policy drafted in November last year by the ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, paved the way for the first time for companies without a carmaking background to apply for car production licenses that had been tightly controlled since 2009.

An exception is now being made for the electric-car industry which China expects to lead its emission-free, sustainable transport of the future. The country lags far behind its ambitious goal of deploying 5 million electric cars by 2020.

In March, Miao officially urged Internet companies like Letv to develop new-energy cars, hoping they would employ the innovative spirit which has seen them shake up various traditional industries.

Letv, a company known for video streaming services, unveiled an ambitious plan to build an electric-car ecosystem in November last year. It has completed a prototype car that will debut at the Beijing auto show in April.

Another newcomer with an Internet background is NextEV, a company established by founders of news and interactive platforms for car owners.