China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, has ceased production of internal combustion engine vehicles. The company disclosed that it will focus exclusively on the production of electric and highly electrified plug-in hybrid cars.
BYD’s move is a response to Beijing’s pledge to promote green energy with the goal of gradually reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.
Together with six other automakers, the company has committed to a global campaign to phase out combustion engine vehicles by 2040.
BYD will not completely discontinue production of gasoline engines because smaller, highly efficient engines will continue to be used in plug-in hybrid cars.
BYD also assured that, although it has stopped producing combustion engine vehicles, it will continue to provide comprehensive services and spare parts to existing customers of fuel vehicles.
BYD has seen a jump in sales of its new energy vehicle in recent months. In March, BYD sold 104,878 units of new energy vehicles, a huge jump from the 24,218 units it sold in the same month last year.
For more information, read the original story in Reuters.