China is to increase to more than half the proportion of new energy vehicle purchases made by some government departments, the State Council said on Wednesday.

The decision is aimed at increasing green development as the country attempts to rein in pollution. The government has been promoting electric vehicles as away to reduce the smog that frequently blankets cities.

New energy vehicles should account for more than 50 percent of annual new vehicle purchases of central government organs, public institutions and some cities, the State Council said in a statement after the meeting, which was chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.