SHANGHAI will provide subsidies and unveil preferential policies for installing charging facilities in an effort to boost the use of electric cars in the city, the city government said yesterday.

From the beginning of this year to December 31, 2014, the city government will grant a subsidy of not more than 30 percent on the sale price, expected to be 10,000 yuan (US$1,616) on average, of charging facilities installed for private, collective or public usage.

Individual buyers of charging poles can get free installation services and enjoy residence electricity rates for charging their electric vehicles.

With just more than 10 charging stations and 1,700 charging poles in place by February, Shanghai still has many residential complexes and business centers "unplugged."