China's Hangzhou to start lifting restrictions on gas cars' licenses

Industrial body urges nationwide cancellation of controls on fossil-fuel autos

20231225 street view in Hangzhou Caixin photo

Traffic in Hangzhou on Dec. 16. The city government issues only 80,000 new license plates each year.

FANG WANGZU and DENISE JIA, Caixin

The city of Hangzhou in eastern China is to start lifting restrictions on the issuing of new car licenses to boost car sales as economic growth slows down.

The current license restrictions, which target fossil fuel-powered passenger cars, were imposed in 2014 to clamp down on car ownership and so ease traffic congestion and combat air pollution. The city government issues only 80,000 new plates via auction and lottery each year.

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