BEIJING, July 9  -- The Chinese government announced Wednesday that new energy cars will be exempted from a 10-percent purchase tax starting from September in its bid to save energy and combat pollution.

                           The EK-2 electric car, which was developed by the Zhejiang-based Geely Group, is shown at an auto show in Beijing.

From Sept. 1, 2014 to the end of 2017, buyers of qualified pure electric cars, plug-in hybrid electric cars and fuel cell cars will not have to pay vehicle purchase tax, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

The statement urged related authorities to step up compiling and unveiling the catalog of vehicles that will be included in this plan.