BEIJING - The 2012 Global New Energy Vehicle Conference, which will be held in South China's Hainan province in January 2013, has elicited substantial interest from vehicle producers and local residents.

So far, 160 auto companies at home and abroad have applied to attend the conference, and over 40 new-energy vehicles will be on display, organizers said on Monday.

The event is also expected to attract around 1,000 senior representatives of the new-energy vehicle industry and more than 10,000 local residents, according to organizers.

It aims to promote the foundation of a Global Union of New Energy Vehicle Innovation and accelerate the development of the new-energy vehicle industry in Hainan province, said Pang Yicheng, chairman of the conference.

Hainan plans to promote the use of energy-saving vehicles in public transport and the car rental industry over the next few years, added Chen Wanxin, deputy head of the province's industry and information technology department.

By 2015, Hainan will have 10,000 new-energy vehicles in use, which will save 7.8 million liters of oil per year, according to Chen.