China's central government will subsidise purchases of clean-energy vehicles for public fleets in 13 cities to help the automobile industry develop green technology.

The trial scheme will promote the use of electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles by public transport operators, taxi firms and postal and sanitary services in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Subsidies will be based on the gap in prices between more energy-efficient vehicles and those with traditional engines. Local governments were asked to allocate money to build and maintain facilities for the green vehicles.

Earlier this month the government said it would promote mass production of electric vehicles as part of a plan to help the auto industry ride out China's economic slump.

Expecting such policy support, several Chinese auto makers have launched major plans to make green vehicles.