NEV makers hopeful

Jiang Weidong, a deputy to the National People's Congress and founder of the Wuzheng Group, which manufactures NEVs for commercial use in Shandong province, said the policy measures will be a major boost to the growth of the sector.

"The cost of using NEVs to transport goods is significantly lower than that of gasoline-powered cars, and I believe more users will switch to our vehicles in the future," he said.

As China advances its rural vitalization strategy, the potential of consumer spending in the rural market will be further unleashed, he added.

To tap into the rural market, Jiang said his company will take advantage of its online platforms to offer rural buyers greater support in terms of financing and after-sales services.

Farizon Auto, a manufacturer of electric vans, trucks and mini-trucks that is part of the Geely Holding Group, said the latest policy measures will help shore up the growth of commercial NEVs.

The company will develop more vehicles tailored to the needs of rural motorists, it added.

The policy has also boosted the confidence of operators of public charging stations, who are eager to tap into the potential for the rural market.

An Shuo, founder of the Beijing ShiJi Yunan New Energy Co, a company devoted to the development of public charging facilities, said that in order to fuel the expansion of charging stations in rural areas, operators must tackle difficulties in facility maintenance, and authorities should give greater priority to ensuring the safety of residents.

"The development of charging infrastructure must be planned in a forward-thinking manner to spur the growth of the NEV sector," he said.

An explained that many rural drivers park their vehicles in front of their homes, so the development of home chargers is also important.

Meanwhile, as the use of electric vehicles increases, there will be heightened demand for fast-charging facilities, which will increase pressure on power grids.

He expressed hope that the government will roll out more detailed policy incentives for the renovation of power grids, and offer businesses more support in the planning of facilities and operation procedures.