Beijing is considering a sharp rise in the share of new license plates given to new energy vehicles next year.

To drive home the Chinese capital's resolution to tackle its mounting environmental challenges, which have just been laid bare by days of severe smog, local policymakers should make full use of the latest sense of urgency to enlist support for the greater use of green cars to help reduce vehicle exhaust emissions which are a big contributor to air pollution.

Beijing issued 30,000 new licenses for local buyers of electric cars this year, 20 percent of the total. The percentage could rise to 50 or 60 percent next year, which means an additional 30,000 to 60,000 green vehicles.