The Dream Factory of China

　　A pilot project of five fully electric and free transportation passenger service routes was launched recently in Qianhai & Shekou area in the Guangdong pilot free trade zone. The services were inaugurated on June 15 at a launch ceremony held at a public square in Qianhai’s Enterprise Dream Park. The ceremony also saw the official creation of the Eco-Friendly and Intelligent Transport Strategic Development Plan of the Qianhai & Shekou area as well as the Qianhai Eco-Friendly and Intelligent Transport Innovation Alliance.

　　Put together, these new developments ushered a new phase in the development of Qianhai’s transportation system with an impact on manufacturing, educational institutions, research institutes and users.

　　Creating the Country’s First Zero-emissions Commuting Zone

　　“Qianhai is committed to creating the country’s first zero-emissions transportation experimental zone that is of an international standard comparable to other intelligent transport development zones elsewhere.”

　　The Qianhai Eco-Friendly and Intelligent Transport Innovation Alliance was jointly set up by nine entities, said an Authority of Qianhai representative.

　　They are: Shenzhen Qianhai Joint Development Holdings Limited (abbreviated as “Qianhai Joint Holdings”), Intelligent Transportation Association of China, Automobile Engineering Association of China, the College of Transportation Science and Engineering at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Automotive Technology & Research Centre of China, Tsinghua University’s Department of Automation, Shenzhen Passenger and Goods Road Transportation Services Centre Limited, Shenzhen Beidou Applied Technology Research Centre, and Shenzhen Liuchi Technology Limited.

　　“Moving forward, Qianhai should quickly embark on the planning and the construction of a transportation system of the future.” Wu Zhong Ze, Chairman of the Intelligent Transportation Association of China, said that transportation of the future should have four basic characteristics: Advanced, innovative, intelligent and low emissions. At the same time, the development of eco-friendly intelligent transport systems should not be viewed alone, but in tandem with the environment and protections offered by legislation, urban land-use, spatial considerations and comparative advantages in related industries.

　　Some of the collaboration agreements inked between enterprises in the Qianhai zone and those new energy companies in the manufacturing, education, research or consumer sectors which include: timeshare rental of electric cars, reservation systems, work shuttle services and tourism services.

　　In exploring new business models in providing eco-friendly transport services, these agreements can help strengthen the impact of “Internet of Vehicle” on the development of intelligent infrastructure business models in the Qianhai & Shekou area, including its transportation system, parking infrastructure and intermodal forms of transport. This can also bring about further development of convenient and safe payment systems.

　　Fleet Size to Grow to 50 by Next Year

　　The launch ceremony also marked the launch of two new shuttle services - Qianhai Authority -Liyumen  route, and the Shenzhen Bay Nanshan District Core route. By the end of June, Qianhai could see three  more new shuttle services - Qianhai Authority-Observation Deck Lifestyle Shuttle Service, Qianhai Shekou Port Loop Shuttle Service and the Bao-an District Core Loop Shuttle Service.

　　“In other words, there will be five new pilot electric transport services launched in the near future, with nine electric buses plying these routes. We will monitor passenger take-up rates and make adjustments to routes and fleet size where necessary, so as to provide passengers with free commuting services.”

　　At the same time, a pilot project on rental of electric vehicles was also introduced. An official from Qianhai Joint Holdings said that the timeshare rental of electric cars would provide passengers with the convenience of transportation services at any required time, with fees based on the amount of rental time.

　　Operators have set aside three drop-off points for electric timeshare vehicles in the China Merchants Property Management Centre parking zone in Shekou. These drop-off points are located at the Maritime Global Financial Centre, Shekou Merchants Building and Merchants Yongjing Bay Commercial Parking Lot. These designated lots are equipped with power charging facilitieswhich can hold up to two BYD E6 cars.

　　“Currently, the pilot project is focused on internal system testing, and thus rental prices have not been fixed yet.” A representative from  Shenzhen Qianhai United Development Holding Company Ltd said that rental prices should be ready when the second batch of rental vehicles start plying the streets on September 15. By year's end, the number of vehicles on the streets should progressively increase to 300, which will basically encompass all possible timeshare rental vehicle points in Shekou.

　　Plans for eco-friendly intelligent vehicles will focus on strategic planning and infrastructural development from 2015 to 2016, then embark on the fine-tuning and embryonic development stage between 2016 to 2018. The project is expected to enter the market and increase scalability between 2018 and 2020.

　　By next year, at least 10 shuttle services are expected to be launched with more than 50 electric vehicles, laying the foundation for electric vehicular transportation services and relevant new business models.