China has set a target to increase the number of energy-saving cars to 60,000 by the year 2012.

In order to realize the goal, the country has launched a promotion project to introduce more hybrid vehicles and electric automobiles into the market.

Wan Gang, China's minister of science and technology, speaks of prospects of the project.

"The project will be implemented first in big and medium-sized cities where energy conservation and emission reduction is strictly required. In the coming three years, the new vehicles will replace part of the current buses, taxis, delivery cars and cars for government use. Up to 60,000 new vehicles will be put in use to fuel the industrialization process by 2012."

The government will offer subsidies to companies for trial use. Preferential policies will also be implemented to encourage the use and research of the new vehicles.

The first round of trials of these new vehicles will take place in 10 big cities including Chongqing, Shenzhen and Nanjing.