Analysis of Market Features of China New Energy Buses in Jan.-Aug.2011 (Ⅳ)

Summarize：www.chinabuses.org:


Feature four: there still exist both great hope and problems and difficulties for the development of new energy buses.


As of August 2011, there have been more than 10000 new energy buses in operation; it is estimated to be up to 13000 by the end of this year. According to the market survey, the main problems of new energy city buses: reliability of complete buses, security of batteries is not so good, technical routes of hybrid power are not clear, the related supporting facilities are not complete.


Major problems of new energy buses exist:
Firstly, it lacks of core technical patents of new energy vehicles, and the improvement of security, reliability and light weight should be paid attention.


Secondly, big gap of the technical level of power batteries from the international level, such as materials, specific energy, specific power, service life and price.


Thirdly, overcapacity appears in new energy bus industry.


Fourthly, public transport operators need government subsidy to purchase new energy buses due to the high cost. It is not easy to realize commercialization.


Fifthly, the related supporting facilities such as charging stations can not follow the development of new energy buses. At present, there are more than 80000 petrol stations, which cost dozens of years.


Specific to the problems mentioned above, some experts suggest:
Firstly, the issue of technical routes and commercialization should be carefully considered for a clear solution.


Secondly, city bus operators should choose proper new energy buses. Currently, it is not proper to operate electric city buses in mass production due to cell performance, price, establishing of charging stations and high operation cost. So do fuel cell buses, because of high cost of batteries and the technology of hydrogen.


Thirdly, it is important to continue to implement subsidy policies. The development of new energy automobiles can be classified into two phases: promotion by the government in the first phase and market competition in the second phase.


Fourthly, more effort is required for the construction of infrastructure such as charging stations.


Fifthly, the role of engines should be considered in the energy-saving and emission-reducing of automobiles. The application of natural gas city buses should be encouraged.