BEIJING - China expects to have 39,700 energy-efficient and new-energy vehicles in operation by the end of March 2013, according to a statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology on Sunday.

A total of 27,400 energy-efficient and new-energy vehicles are currently running in 25 cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, with 23,000 buses, vans and cars used in the public service sector and another 4,400 in private use, the ministry said.

In September 2012, the central government earmarked 4 billion yuan ($641.9 million) for the continued development of new-energy vehicles and key components such as batteries, said Zhao Yuhai, an official with the ministry.

China currently has 174 charging stations and 8,107 charging posts. The country has also established relevant technical standards and an inspection system, Zhao added.

From 2005 to 2012, China applied for 8 percent of the world's patents for energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles, tying Germany and the Republic of Korea for third place.

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