Sept. 17 (Bloomberg) -- China plans to ban cars from streets in 108 cities in its first ``No Car Day'' on Sept. 22, part of an effort to promote environmental protection and ease congestion in the world's second-largest auto market.

Streets in areas of Beijing, Shanghai and other cities will be open only to pedestrians, bicycles, taxis and buses from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Ministry of Construction. Sept. 22 is World Carfree Day, a United Nations-backed global campaign.

About 4.37 million new vehicles began using China's roads in the first half as economic growth makes cars and trucks affordable to more people. Growth in traffic helped China surpass the U.S. as the world's largest carbon-dioxide emitter last year.

``No Car Day'' will cut 3,000 tons of emissions and save 33 million liters of gasoline, according to the ministry.

Beijing has led efforts to cut pollution in China before it hosts the Olympics next year. The Chinese capital forced 1.3 million of its 3 million cars off the streets for four days last month. The ban cut congestion and pollution. Still, air quality remained short of World Health Organization guidelines, according to the city's environmental bureau.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has said concerns about air pollution may lead to the postponement of the marathon and other endurance events at next summer's games. The U.S. plans to base its Olympic athletes in South Korea during the games to avoid exposure to the city's smog.

China, the world's second-biggest energy consumer, has ``very serious'' pollution problems and must strengthen the enforcement of environmental regulations, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan told government officials on Sept. 2.

The country has set a goal of cutting the energy consumed for each unit of gross domestic product by 20 percent in the five years to 2010.

To contact the reporter on this story: Irene Shen in Shanghai at ishen4@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: September 17, 2007 04:50 EDT