(Shanghai April 24, 2012) – The Ministry of Science and Technology has recently released new guidelines regarding electric vehicle development in the country, Shanghai Securities News reported today. According to the guidelines, the country will take large steps in developing both charging technology and infrastructure for electric vehicles. By 2015, 400,000 new charging posts and 2,000 charging stations are expected to be built in over 20 key cities and their surrounding areas.

The guidelines state that further innovation in the realm of small EVs will be crucial in helping domestic own brand manufacturers. Their development will also aid both the expansion of charging infrastructure and growth of the battery technology industry in China.

According to calculations, there is expected to be 150 million passenger automobiles on Chinese roads by 2020 and 250 million by 2030.