China bans 553 car models to curb emissions

The Chinese government has issued a stop-sale order for 553 cars that don't meet fuel economy regulations.

The order will come into effect on January 1st, 2018.

The list of the 553 cars banned from the world's largest new car market hasn't been released to the public yet. Reports say, the list includes models from Chevrolet, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.

553 sounds like a lot but it's important to remember between 130 and 150 auto-makers wrestle for dominance of the Chinese market, said secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association Cui Dongshu.

The looming ban is the government's latest move to curb air pollution. It has also restricted steel production and coal usage, and it promised to gradually phase out the internal combustion engine.

Gasoline-powered scooters have become a rare sight in China; an overwhelming majority of two-wheelers now run on electricity, according to a Leftlanenews.

China's air quality still isn't on par with Norway's, and it probably never will be, but it has improved drastically during the 2010s.

"At the national level, India tops the index rankings, followed by Bangladesh and Thailand," affirmed Richard Hewston, the global head of environment and climate change at risk consultancy firm Verisk Maplecroft.