Is a Lottery Required for Hybrid Vehicles in Tianjin?
2 Answers
Tianjin requires a lottery for purchasing hybrid vehicles. Here are additional details: Regulations: Hybrid vehicles are classified as energy-efficient vehicles under the "Tianjin Passenger Vehicle Total Quantity Control and Management Measures." Article 54 defines the terms as follows: Energy-efficient vehicles refer to hybrid passenger cars that meet the "Recommended Models Catalog for Energy-saving and New Energy Vehicle Demonstration and Promotion Project" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology or are certified by testing institutions with a fuel-saving rate exceeding 20%. Method: Article 17 states that energy-efficient vehicle incremental quotas are allocated through a lottery system, while regular vehicle incremental quotas are allocated through both lottery and bidding. Energy-efficient vehicle incremental quotas and regular vehicle incremental quotas are drawn separately. The quota management authority must promptly announce the lottery and bidding results after completion and issue quota certification documents to eligible individuals and entities.
Having lived in Tianjin for several years, I've been considering buying a new car. Hybrid vehicles seem quite practical—they save on fuel costs without the hassle of frequent charging like pure electric cars. People around me say that in Tianjin, most hybrid cars still require a license plate lottery because, despite their electric motors aiding fuel efficiency, they are primarily gasoline-powered and thus classified as traditional fuel vehicles, competing for limited quotas. The lottery process is quite tedious, with only a few chances each year. You can only proceed with purchasing a car if you win the draw. However, I’ve also heard that new energy vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids, might not require the lottery and can be registered directly. If you’re seriously planning to buy one, it’s best to check the details on the official traffic management website or visit the local vehicle administration office to avoid wasting time and effort. Personally, while the lottery system makes some sense for controlling traffic congestion, I hope future policies will offer more support for environmentally friendly vehicles. As for hybrid cars themselves, their smooth starts and low fuel consumption are definite advantages, saving a lot of money in the long run—just don’t expect too much in terms of high performance.
