(Yicai Global) Dec. 19 -- Xi'an, the capital of central China's Shaanxi province, has brought in a raft of policies aimed at boosting purchases of methanol-fueled vehicles, including a CNY10,000 (USD1449.8) purchase subsidy for heavy-duty trucks and CNY5,000 for passenger cars.

Methanol-fueled vehicle owners will no longer have to pay for stays under two hours at government-owned parking lots or face traffic restrictions in the city, state-backed Xinhua News Agency reported. Drivers will also be able to use the city's bus lanes.

The subsidies will apply to vehicles bought, registered and used in the city and authorities will draw up a list of eligible models.

The city will also accelerate the building of the industrial data platform for the sector, and improve financing, insurance, rental, logistics, after-sales services, and other systems related to methanol-fueled vehicles. The city will build about 45 methanol refueling stations over the next year.

Xi'an's local government also encourages administrative public-sector organizations and public service institutions to buy methanol-fueled vehicles, and will further promote their use in the taxi industry.

Editor: William Clegg