China infographic: 200 million vehicles on China's roads by 2020

It looks like Beijing soon won’t be the only Chinese city with terrible traffic. China Infographics have put together a graphic showing the massive increase in demand for autos (defended as cars, trucks and buses) in the Middle Kingdom from 1980 (the beginning of China’s Opening and Reform) to 2020. By the latter date, there will be around 200 million vehicles on China's roads, according to the data. 

The clearest point the graphic names? The Chinese love their cars.

The image from China Infographics shows that “the auto number in the country has been growing constantly, from 1.78 million in 1980 to 64 million in 2009.”

Why choose to end the graphic at 2020?

Other than running out of room on the page, the makers of the image explain that “analysts suggest that China’s GDP will be able to overtake U.S. in early 2020s. Although the forecast is somewhat over-optimistic, the impact of China’s GDP expansion is far-reaching.” That will affecting the auto industry -- China is already the world’s largest auto consumer -- as well.

What will these cars looks like at this watershed year? If Chinese urban youth have their way, according to enoVate, they'll be tricked out with everything from mp3 and AUX interfaces to multi-function steering wheels. Not exactly their parent's rides.

Also look for many of these cars to be electric.

Although many consumers are wary of making the switch, "they are well aware of the long term savings an electric car offers (100 km on RMB 5, versus RMB 50 with petrol)," says enoVate. The current issue holding them back? Price and pre-conceptions about owning an electric car.

"The Chinese youth unanimously acknowledged electric cars as the 'vehicle of tomorrow.' But therein lies a problem: 'the vehicle of tomorrow,'" writes trend blogger Nick. Due to their price, "Chinese youth don’t think electric cars are worth buying today. Companies like BYD may find it difficult to convince the emerging consumer they should invest in electric cars now."

Will the issues of price and pre-conceptions about electric cars be overcome for the upcoming car boom predicted by China Infographics? We'll find out in 2020 we guess.