China will exempt electric-car buyers from purchase taxes as part of expanded State measures to boost sales of the vehicles, an executive meeting of the State Council said on Wednesday.

From Sept 1 to the end of 2017, the government will waive the auto-purchase tax for new-energy vehicles, which in China refers to all electric cars, plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles, said the meeting, led by Premier Li Keqiang.

The development of such vehicles is critically important for easing China's energy dependency, combating air pollution, spurring local demand and nurturing the auto industry, the meeting said.