(Yicai Global) March 7 -- Hainan will completely prohibit the sale of  fuel-powered vehicles from 2030 after the southern tourism-focused  island became China's first province to release a specific timetable for  a full transition to cars that use clean energy.

Hainan has set out a phased plan for the transition with milestones laid out  for 2020, 2025 and 2030, according to a statement from the provincial  government. The public service sector will switch to clean energy  vehicles by 2025 while the island aims to hit the international  benchmark level by 2030. 

The province, which was home to 37,100 clean energy vehicles as of the end of 2018, has set up an initial system to promote the transition. The government has also built over 4,500 charging facilities so far.

Local authorities expect clean energy to make up 80 percent of installed  capacity in the province by 2030 thanks to rich renewable resources such  as solar, wind, tidal and nuclear power, the plan states. 

China's industry ministry inked a cooperative deal with the Hainan government  last July to support the promotion and application of clean energy  vehicles and guide the development of new energy taxis and rental  services. Some 80 percent of buses will be replaced with green versions  by the end of 2019. 

State-owned firm Haiqi Transportation Group established Hainan United New Energy  Vehicles last September in conjunction with other companies. It mainly  works on NEV sales, after-sales services, financial leasing and charging  station operations.

Editor: William Clegg