China said today it would punish carmakers by restricting their production and publicly naming them if they fail to meet fuel consumption requirements on passenger vehicles set for 2015.
Punitive measures outlined for offenders of the already-announced fuel economy rules reflect Beijing’s latest effort to fight pollution and promote more efficient use of energy.
They are also likely to push automakers, both foreign and Chinese, to embrace more cutting-edge technology such as gasoline-electric hybrids and all-electric cars.
China’s fuel economy rules, as stringent as those to be enforced in the United States, Europe and Japan, involve a fleet-wide corporate average target of 34 mpg (6.9 liters per 100 kilometer) in 2015 and 47 mpg (5.0 liters per 100 kilometer) in 2020. They take effect on Nov. 1.