China

Involvement

China is the second largest consumer of energy in the world, behind the United States (22.8%). Total primary energy consumption in China in 2004 reached 1,386.2 million tons of oil equivalent, accounting for 13.6% of global consumption.

In 2004, oil consumption in China was 292 million tons, accounting for 8.2% of total oil consumption in the world. Also that year, China produced 175 million tons of oil and imported 117 million tons of oil, accounting for 40% of total oil consumption. On the basis of these percentages, oil import dependence will be 50% by 2010 and over 60% by 2020. Other key points:

In 2004, total non-exploited proven oil reserves in the world were 161.9 billion tons. In China, the rate of reserves/production in China was 40.5, given that China produced 3.87 billion tons of oil.
China is the second largest emitter of CO2 in the world, making up roughly 13% of global emission.

China’s automobile industry has enjoyed a booming market since 2001, when cars entered Chinese households at a large scale. To ensure energy security, protect the environment, and stimulate innovation in the auto industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China launched a special project on the R&D of electric vehicles (EVs). The project focuses on three types of new vehicles: hybrid, pure electric, and fuel cell. It plans to develop key technologies of battery, motor, and electronic control systems. In 2004, new-energy vehicles started their commercial demonstration in eight Chinese cities. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 600 EVs of different types realized the goal of zero-emission transportation in Olympic venues and low emissions in surrounding areas. Zero-emission vehicles driven by electricity and fuel cells will be further promoted through demonstration at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.