Tianjin, China Just Made Life Easier For Tesla Owners

Tesla Motors Inc TSLA buyers received welcome news from the northern Chinese municipality of Tianjin Monday.

Prospective owners of Tesla vehicles residing in the municipality can now apply for a vehicle license plate without entering the lottery or auction required for gas or diesel fueled vehicles.

According to the report on wantchinatimes.com, Tianjin’s decision “follows similar changes in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen who have also made it easier for Tesla buyers to get license plates.”

In an effort to reduce air pollution, Chinese authorities have promoted the purchase of hybrid and electric vehicles. Foreign-made vehicles, including Tesla, have not been given equal treatment, however, as they “have yet to make the list of new energy vehicles endorsed by authorities in Chinese cities that impose quotas on private car ownership,” according to the report.

Buyers of electric vehicles made by China’s BYD Auto Co., Ltd. and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd. “have a better chance of getting license plate from a separate lottery pool” in Beijing, the report noted, while Tesla buyers have to hope and wait for a different lottery held every two months.

Despite the challenges, Tesla continues to build its electric charging stations across China. The report added that Tesla “has built hundreds of charging posts” with many of them in “scenic spots to ensure power supply for Tesla owners traveling long distances.”

Tesla Motors Inc recently traded at $243.84, down 1.34 percent.