The Ministry of Science and Technology announced that it would not be adding more test cities for new energy vehicles for the time being, Securities Newsreported today. Representatives from the body made the announcement at the floor of this year's China Annual Conference and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems. They also added that China would do its best to help advance the development of intelligent traffic solutions.

According to Wang Wei, vice minister for the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), intelligent traffic requires joint development of and integration between information, control and new energy vehicle technology. During the current Five-Year Guideline, a national directive lasting until 2015, the MST will continue to do its part in supporting new energy vehicle development.

Chen Jiachang, deputy director responsible for the Department for High-technology Development and Industrialization, said that new energy vehicle technology was currently in its infancy, and predicts that within five to ten years from now, the MST will be able to help further progress in R&D and promotion work.

Regarding the current 25 cities testing new energy and energy-saving vehicles, Mr. Chen recommended that the MST prepare new solutions and cases in order to satisfy its annual targets. At the same time, the MST should further research how to reduce costs for vehicles, increase savings and deal with restriction policies.