Why should NASCAR go electric?

NASCAR could change the world by racing electric cars, says Bill Nye the Science Guy in a blog post published Monday for Aeon. 

"In the short term, NASCAR could help get us there. We could convert all of our racecars to electricity – right now – and show the public exactly what electrons can do," Nye writes in the op-ed. "And most significant from my point of view, everyone in the crowd, every race fan, would want an electric car! The market for electric cars would go crazy." 

NASCAR should change its name to NESCAR, says Nye, which would stand for National Electric Stock Car Racing. 

And Nye makes the argument that NASCAR would not be losing anything in the switch. While a current NASCAR race car can get up to 850 horsepower (hp), and a Tesla Model-S can only reach 532 hp, Nye insists that this difference is not discouraging – it is exciting. The 850 hp NASCAR racecar was intentionally designed for the track, but it is being compared with an electric sedan that any customer could buy right now in a showroom. 

He argues the 300 horsepower difference is actually impressive. 

"Just think what an electric carmaker, such as Tesla, could produce given, say, three years," writes Nye. 

And once the speed is competitive, Nye says electric race cars would offer other perks to NASCAR fans. 

An electric racecar pit crew could complete its "refueling" in a fraction of the time, argues Nye. Instead of refueling a gas tank, crew members would simply press a button to drop out the old battery pack, and reload a fresh battery pack in its place. 

The racetrack would also be quieter. Drivers could hear the clapping and cheering of their fans, and visitors would actually be able to talk to one another during the race.   

"I'm telling' ya, after you drive an electric car, you don't want to drive anything else," says Nye. "They're faster, quieter and cheaper to operate."

N ASCAR's all-electric race wouldn't even be that novel, as Formula E racing welcomed its first season of electric car racing in 2014. And all of the criticisms about Nye's suggestion have been aired already by Formula 1 fans. But there are those who are excited about Formula E racing, including the billionaire British businessman Richard Branson:

Unless you have sports like this, we'll never get to a world that's carbon-neutral by 2050," he said. "I hope 10 years from now, 20 years from now, the smell of exhaust will be as much a thing of the past as the smell of cigarettes in a restaurant."

But Tom Jensen of Fox Sports notes several problems with Nye's plan in an opinion article posted Wednesday. 

For one, it would be expensive. Car owners have already invested in their vehicles and they are probably unwilling to invest in yet another large, upfront cost. There also is not great variety in the electric car market yet. For example, Chevrolet and Ford – two of NASCAR's greatest investors – only have one electric model each. 

Jensen also argues that NASCAR fans wouldn't be interested in electric races. 

"What excites and engages a scientist like Nye and a typical NASCAR race fan probably aren't the same – not by a long shot," he says. "Nor do I believe that taking the roar of engines away from the racing will be something that NASCAR fans would view as an upgrade." 

But environmental advocacy might not be as unnatural for NASCAR fans as Jensen suggests. 

NASCAR has already taken several steps to be an environmental advocate through its NASCAR Green program. Through recycling and waste diversion efforts, NASCAR diverts 120,000 Goodyear tires from landfills each year. The organization Safety-Kleen provides its oil recycling services to over 200 NASCAR races a year, and since the beginning of their relationship, Safety-Kleen has collected enough discarded oil to power the Empire State Build ing for over a year. 

And the companies Coca-Coca and Coors Light has partnered with NASCAR to recycle over 25 million bottles and cans at NASCAR tracks. Last year NASCAR started a pilot program at the Richmond International Raceway that either composted leftover racetrack food or donated it to the city's hungry.

"Despite the excitement, NASCAR kinda breaks my heart," Nye writes. "It's a celebration of old tech. It uses gasoline-burning instead of electron-flowing…. I wish NASCAR were more about the future instead of the past."

Nye says he wants NASCAR to fulfill his childhood expectations. 

He says, "When I was a kid, auto-racing was where new technology was developed rather than where old technology was preserved or even celebrated."

Source: Why should NASCAR go electric?

Renault ZOE Named “Best Electric Car Under £20,000” By What Car? For Third Year In A Row

Renault ZOE powered almost entirely by renewable energy in Scotland

Renault ZOE

The folks over at British site What Car? really appreciate the Renault ZOE and have named it the "Best Electric Car under £20,000" for the third consecutive year (see report from previous year).

Sales of ZOE in the UK amounted to 2,053 units in 2015 (up 102% year-over-year) – not that much compared to 1,500 sold in France just in December alone, but UK sales are growing.

"The Renault ZOE has been recognised by the judges at What Car? for the third consecutive year, picking up the title of What Car? 2016 'Best Electric Car for less than £20,000' with its pure electric ZOE Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge hatchback."

Price of ZOE in the UK after deducting the Plug-In Car Grant starts at £13,445 (less than $19,200) without batteries or £18,445 ($26,300) with batteries.

Range stands at 240 km (149 miles) NEDC or, some 110 miles expected in the real world.

Renault ZOE

Commenting on the decision to give ZOE the award for a third consecutive year, Jim Holder, Editorial Director, What Car? said:

"The Renault ZOE was our favourite electric car for less than £20,000 a year ago, and tweaks to the specification and the added ability to go further have only increased its appeal. The ZOE's main strength is that it feels like a conventional, stylish, nippy small car that happens to cost pennies to run. The electric motor has enough shove for the ZOE to lead the charge away from traffic lights, and the cabin seats four in reasonable comfort. Even the boot is larger than you'll find in many regular small cars – easily big enough for a week's shopping."

"The rapid charger means that you can get the ZOE's battery from flat to 80 per cent of its capacity in as little as 30 minutes, using one of the fast charging public points. With a full charge, you'll be good for around 90 miles – more than enough for the average commute. Renault even includes installation of a home charger in the price. The standard kit list looks good, too, with a reversing camera and an excellent infotainment system with satellite navigation included with our preferred trim level."

Ken Ramirez, Managing Director, Renault UK, said of the result:

"The ZOE proves that zero emissions in use vehicles can be stylish and practical with sales more than doubling in the UK last year, in an EV market up 48 per cent, as more and more motorists recognize ZOE, not only for its environmental credentials but for its ultra-low running costs, serene driving style and high standard of specification.  We're thrilled that What Car? has recognised ZOE's talents for the third year in a row."

Renault ZOE

About the ZOE:

"The ZOE is an all-electric, five-door family hatchback available in three trim levels that comes with a high level of standard specification, despite its competitive price-tag, including items such as climate control and sat-nav.

ZOE can charge from zero to 80 per cent full in as little as 30 minutes thanks to its patented Chameleon™ Charger that allows it to make the most of the widest range of power supplies and also keep charging times to a minimum.  The official NEDC range is up to 149 miles – Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 93 miles in summer and 62 miles in winter.

ZOE is available to purchase in two ways. Firstly, under a battery hire scheme, where ZOE pricing starts at £13,445 after the Government Plug-in Car Grant with battery leasing from £55 per month. Benefits include a lifetime performance guarantee for the battery and 24/7 roadside assistance – even if you run out of charge.

You can also buy your ZOE outright. ZOE i 'full purchase' models start from £18,445 after the Government Plug-in Car Grant, giving the buyer full ownership of the car and battery and no monthly battery lease payment.

ZOE sales were up 102 per cent in 2015 to 2,053 vehicles, significantly outpacing the UK electric vehicle market, which was up 48 per cent on 2014. ZOE is the second best-selling electric car in the UK representing one in five EVs sold. ZOE is one of three models in Renault's diverse electric vehicle range which also includes the Twizy urban roundabout and the Kangoo Van Z.E."

Source: Renault ZOE Named "Best Electric Car Under £20,000" By What Car? For Third Year In A Row

Germany considers $5,500 incentive for electric cars

Jan 29 German politicians and auto executives will discuss creating incentives worth up to 5,000 euros ($5,500) to boost sales of electric and hybrid cars, a senior ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

Germany has set itself a goal of bringing 1 million electric cars onto its roads by 2020, but has so far made little progress in encouraging drivers to switch from more polluting - but also generally cheaper - diesel and petrol vehicles.

The heads of the three parties in Merkel's ruling coalition have discussed introducing a subsidy for electric car buyers, said Horst Seehofer, head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), sister party of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

He added the government was looking into whether car companies could co-finance the new incentive and that Merkel would discuss the issue with company executives next week.

Asked whether he was backing proposals to introduce an incentive of up to 5,000 euros, Seehofer said: "Bavaria is very much in favour of the buyer's premium."

Seehofer is state premier of Bavaria, the southern German state where carmaker BMW is based.

A spokeswoman for Germany's Economy ministry said: "Talks within the German government are constructive. We are counting on arriving at a good solution to help achieve our goals."

In 2015, 23,500 electric and plug-in vehicles were registered in Germany. Of these, only 12,300 were pure electric cars, according to Stefan Bratzel at the Center of Automotive Management in Bergisch Gladbach.

($1 = 0.9161 euros) (Reporting by Edward Taylor, Caroline Copley and Andreas Rinke; Writing Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Potter)

Source: Germany considers $5,500 incentive for electric cars

Bill Nye: ‘If NASCAR embraced electric cars it could change the world’

Bill Nye may be best known for sporting bow ties and crafting astronomical models on Bill Nye the Science Guy, but in the 18 years since the show wrapped (yes, it has been that long), the writer and comedian has been a notable advocate for climate change education. One of his most prolific arguments is simple — stop burning fossil fuels.

Nye recently penned an op-ed for digital culture magazine Aeon, in which he argues that NASCAR should make the switch to electric-powered vehicles. In his mind, NASCAR is a celebration of "old tech," one that reinforces the automotive status quo and hinders progress from a social standpoint. And while the environmental benefits of an industry-wide change are obvious, the former mechanical engineer sees another benefit of the EV switch.

"Just think what an electric race would be like," Nye wrote. "It would be faster, and quiet. You could talk to the person next to you. The drivers could probably hear the roar of the crowd rather than having to imagine it as they do now. And most significant from my point of view, everyone in the crowd, every race fan, would want an electric car! The market for electric cars would go crazy."

"I wish NASCAR were more like NASA," he continued. "I wish NASCAR were more about the future instead of the past. I am trying to envision the smart, efficient transportation technology of tomorrow, and there is NASCAR doing the opposite – celebrating a very old transportation technology of yesterday."

Related: Motorsport 101: Everything you need to know, from F1 to NASCAR

To its credit, NASCAR has committed considerable resources to its NASCAR Green program, which includes a recycling and waste division, a clear air initiative that plants trees to offset race-related carbon emissions, and a renewable energy measure that supplies solar power to various teams and tracks.

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FIA Formula E Championship

In addition, an all-electric race series called Formula E is in the midst of its second season, but for Nye, it's not quite enough.

For more information on all things racing, check out our comprehensive motorsport primer.

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Source: Bill Nye: 'If NASCAR embraced electric cars it could change the world'

Electric Car Price Guide: Every 2015-2016 Plug-In Car, With Specs: UPDATED

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It's a hot topic whenever anyone mentions electric cars: pricing.

Many electric cars are more expensive than their regular counterparts, though naturally they cost less to run too.

But what do today's electric and plug-in cars actually cost? We've gathered together each plug-in car on sale today in one place. Every vehicle here shows the manufacturer's suggested retail price, plus any mandatory destination and handling fees.

The prices do not include any local or federal tax incentives or rebates--so many cars here may be available cheaper, for those eligible for specific credits or rebates.

MPGe figures listed below refer to the cars' electric efficiency, unless otherwise stated.

2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV - $23,845

16 kWh battery, 62 miles (EPA), 112 MPGe, 49 kW motor

Mitsubishi's jellybean-style electric car has never been a strong seller in the U.S, but the Japanese automaker recently slashed its pricing, making it the cheapest electric vehicle on the market. You're still saddled with low performance and those unusual looks, but some owners could drive from a dealership having paid less than $16,000 for their i-MiEV, if they're able to maximize their use of incentives.

2015 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive - $25,750

17.6 kWh battery, 68 miles (EPA), 107 MPGe, 55 kW motor

Smart's Fortwo Electric Drive is one of the cheapest new electric cars on the market. You only get two seats, but you also get rid of the gasoline car's jerky transmission. There's enough power to make good progress now, and if you're able to benefit from incentives, the price starts to look quite tempting. Convertible models are an extra $3,000 but top-down electric driving is a wholly pleasant experience.

2016 Chevrolet Spark EV - $25,995

19 kWh battery, 82 miles (EPA), 119 MPGe, 105 kW motor

Chevrolet has put the same effort into its diminutive Spark as it did the Volt, and has managed to improve the aerodynamics and interior to match the Spark's electric aspirations. With huge torque on offer, performance is strong and the Spark EV is good fun to drive. Only sold in California, Oregon, and Maryland, the Spark EV will soon be replaced by the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, a 200-mile electric car that will be sold in all 50 states.

2016 Nissan Leaf - $28,060

24-30 kWh battery, 84 -107miles (EPA), 112-114 MPGe, 80 kW motor

Five years after its debut, the Leaf is the bestselling electric car in history. Nissan expects to deliver the 200,000th Leaf this month, a testament to the car's wide appeal. For 2016, the Leaf gets an optional 30-kWh battery pack that boosts range to 107 miles.

2015 Fiat 500e - $32,780

24 kWh battery, 84 miles (EPA), 112 MPGe, 83 kW motor

Fiat's 500e electric car may be a mere "compliance car", but the engineers have done a great job--it's nippy, fun to drive and probably a better vehicle than the gasoline version. Limited availability is a hindrance, though, and the price is pretty steep for such a small car. Oh, and Fiat's boss would prefer you didn't buy one--it's costing him money...

2015 Ford C-MAX Energi - $32,645

7.6 kWh battery, 20 miles (EPA), 88 MPGe, 88 kW motor (195-hp combined)

Ford's first plug-in hybrid challenger mixes good performance with impressive efficiency in electric mode. Like the Toyota Prius V, it's a practical vehicle too, ready to handle everything family life can throw at it.

2016 Chevrolet Volt - $33,995

18.4 kWh battery, 53 miles (EPA), 106 MPGe, 111 kW motor

The Volt benefits from a complete redesign for the 2016 model year, including an all-new powertrain, and a battery pack that grows from the previous 16.5 kWh to 18.4 kWh. That allows for an electric-range increase to 53 miles. The 2016 Volt is also more pleasing to look at than its predecessor, and at long last there's a fifth "seating position," albeit not one that's useful for long trips.

Source: Electric Car Price Guide: Every 2015-2016 Plug-In Car, With Specs: UPDATED

When Electric-Car Incentives Return: British Columbia Case Study

Bourgeois Chevrolet, Rawdon, Quebec, Canada [photo: RoulezElectrique.com]

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Christmas came in April last year for plug-in electric vehicle proponents in British Columbia, Canada, when the provincial government reinstated its Clean Energy Vehicle purchase-incentive program.

Purchase rebates for B.C. buyers of plug-in electric vehicles had ended in February 2014, when the program's funding allocated was depleted. It wasn't funded anew until April 2015.

DON'T MISS: When Electric Car Incentives Expire: A Case Study In Canada (Sep 2014)

After several months, we can now estimate the effect of the rebates' return on the province's plug-in electric vehicle sales.

B.C. car shoppers should be aware that the incentives will likely disappear again next month, as the allocated funds are again running low.

British Columbia Clean-Energy Vehicle funds as of Jan 23, 2016: $289,000 equates to about 60 cars

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The Clean Energy Vehicle program offers point-of-purchase rebates of $2,500 to $5,000 for the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles, depending on the size of the battery. (The Chevy Volt's 18.4-kilowatt-hour battery is big enough to qualify for the full $5,000.)

All new-car sales qualify, regardless of the buyer's personal income or the vehicle price, or whether it was purchased from a franchised car dealer or directly from Tesla Motors.

Electric cars do not, however, get preferential access to carpool (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes. This means that the rebates only affect the purchase price, making for a straightforward analysis of their effect.

(In regions where plug-in electric vehicles qualify for both financial incentives and HOV lane access, it can be difficult to disentangle the effects of the two factors.)

Incentives in Canada for purchase of plug-in electric vehicles, by province

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Choosing the right yardstick

It would be premature to draw conclusions about the impact of incentives based strictly on monthly sales totals.

Not only is the Canadian auto market highly seasonal, but such factors as gas prices, manufacturer and dealer incentives, the health of the local economy, and the availability of new or refreshed models all influence the total number of electric vehicles sold in a given region in a given month.

ALSO SEE: Plug-in Electric Car Sales in Canada, December 2015: Tesla Model S-Capades

To control for as many of these factors as possible, we looked at the ratio of plug-in electric vehicle sales in British Columbia to combined sales of the same vehicles in Ontario and Quebec.

Those two provinces represent about two-thirds of the Canadian electric car market and have maintained their rebate programs, so they offer the best available baseline.

Effect of electric-car purchase incentives on Tesla Model S sales in B.C. vs Ontario and Quebec

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Finally, because different plug-ins are targeted at different customers, separate comparisons were made for the Tesla Model S and BMW i3 (representing the luxury segment) as well as the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Smart Electric Drive (representing the non-luxury segment).

A combined Leaf-and-Volt analysis was done, to allow us to compare with the article written when the incentives first expired.

IHS Auto was the source of the monthly vehicle registration data, which do not distinguish between new vehicles and used imports from the United States. The small number of imports should not distort the trends, being less than one-tenth the number of new car sales.

No Impact of bucks For luxe

Relative to sales in Ontario and Quebec, the removal and return of purchase incentives didn't affect Tesla Model S or BMW i3 sales in British Columbia.

The i3 sold 77 percent as many vehicles in B.C. as the other two provinces in 11 months without purchase incentives, and 75 percent as many in the first eight months after their return.

Ratio of Canadian plug-in electric vehicle sales in British Columbia to those in Ontario and Quebec

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B.C. sales of the Tesla Model S were 27 percent of the central Canada total in the year before the B.C. incentives expired. But during the year that incentives were gone, the proportion rose to 37 percent; it has since held steady (35 percent).

One noticeable quirk in the chart is that virtually no Tesla buyers took delivery of their vehicles last March (5 percent sales ratio) – they held off until April, when they would quality for rebates, leading to a 99 percent sales ratio between the two geographies for that month.

The numbers seem to imply that British Columbia's $5,000 purchase rebates had little effect on the adoption rates of luxury plug-in electric vehicles. By and large, we might conclude, their purchasers could absorb the full sticker price.

Dollars do drive change

But it's a different situation among buyers of more mass-priced cars. Sales ratios of the Leaf and Volt were roughly cut in half when the purchase rebates expired in 2014, and then jumped back to earlier levels when the rebates returned.

The Nissan Leaf's sales ratio dropped from 45 percent to 19 percent when incentives expired, then rose back to 50 percent since the incentives' return. (Going forward, I'll use the shorthand "45-19-50".)

The Chevy Volt's sales percent ratio over the same time period was 9-4-6. Those numbers are low, as the Volt is relatively unpopular in B.C.--but particularly popular in Quebec.

Source: When Electric-Car Incentives Return: British Columbia Case Study

Apple, Inc.'s Electric Car Ambitions May Have Hit a Speed Bump

The fabled electric Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Car may have just hit a bump in the road. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Steve Zadesky, who has been at Apple for 16 years and was most recently in charge of the electric car project dubbed Project Titan, is calling it quits.

Zadesky had helped Apple grow its automotive engineering team by threefold, totaling approximately 600 employees as of last September, according to the report. Zadesky is reportedly leaving for primarily personal reasons unrelated to his performance, and it's unclear exactly when he will be leaving the Mac maker.

A speed bump at worstThis loss of talent is certainly a setback, but it should prove to be minor in the grand scheme of things. Elon Musk has called the Apple Car an "open secret" since Apple has hired over a thousand auto engineers to work on the project, by Musk's estimation.

Apple's auto team has grown significantly, so there's no shortage of auto expertise and knowledge within the company, and the iPhone maker should have no problem backfilling the role either internally or externally. Project Titan is already a "committed project" internally, which should give it priority when it comes to developmental resource allocation.

Interestingly, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche recently visited Silicon Valley and met with about 70 different unnamed companies to discuss future trends. The executive suggested that Apple and Alphabet's Google are making better progress on their respective auto projects that he would have guessed, according to Reuters.

Why Apple wants to expand its empireAs iPhone growth plateaus, the company continues to look beyond the smartphone market for its next big growth opportunity. The next immediately obvious opportunity is with Apple Watch and the burgeoning smartwatch market, but Apple is also looking into virtual reality, autonomous electric cars, deep learning, and other promising areas.

The main reason why Apple's valuation has been so cheap for so many years is because investors recognized that Apple was approaching a limit to its near-term growth. The law of large numbers is now taking hold, as Apple's trailing-12-month revenue base is currently nearly $234 billion.

If Apple can successfully expand its empire into new markets and tap into new incremental growth opportunities, it might be able to earn more respect from investors and enjoy some multiple expansion that could singlehandedly drive share gains even lacking meaningful revenue growth. That's especially true if you add in aggressive share repurchases that deliver significant earnings accretion along the way.

The next billion-dollar iSecretThe world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Evan Niu, CFA owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Source: Apple, Inc.'s Electric Car Ambitions May Have Hit a Speed Bump

Apple's Zadesky, head of electric car project, to leave company

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Liverpool sink Norwich 5-4 in thrillerSaints' Charlie Austin scored in the 87th-minute on his debut, heaping more pressure on United manager Louis van Gaal. Norwich then looked to have snatched a point when Seb Bassong lashed home in the 92nd minute for 4-4.

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'Academy is going to lead,' president saysThis year, celebrities including Smith and her husband Will Smith, as well as directors Spike Lee and Michael Moore and the Rev. Davis and Meeks join a list of prominent politicians and entertainers who have spoken out about the Oscars' missing diversity.

LeBron James 'surprised' by David Blatt firingGriffin said he did not discuss the decision with any of the players but over the past month began to feel a change was needed. Blatt led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in his first season as coach before falling to the Golden State Warriors.

Ice Cube Talks Oscars Controversy: 'It's Just Ridiculous'As a member of rap pioneering group N.W.A., Ice Cube stands as one of the core inspirations for the Straight Outta Compton biopic. The controversy has grown to the point where many black A-list film stars are boycotting the awards show.

Hillary Clinton interviews with Fallon for job of presidentClinton and Sanders have escalated their attacks on each other, with each claiming to be the strongest general election candidate. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said Saturday that Sanders has yet to acknowledge he was on the wrong side of the issue in 2005.

Healthy Nishikori back in Australian Open round of 16It was the third time this tournament that matches have been interrupted due to medical situations in the stands. I try to have good treatment and good training during the tour to try to have less injuries.

San Antonio marches to honor Dr. Martin Luther King JrWith many students having the day off, Catherine Adams says Paine College chose to further King's dream of education for all . It's another way for people to learn about King's legacy and local impact. "I grew up as Dr.

Source: Apple's Zadesky, head of electric car project, to leave company

UPDATE 1-As China cuts green car subsidies, automakers' electric dreams differ

* Subsidies to end by 2021

* VW, BMW betting on plug-in hybrids in near-term

* BAIC, NextEV favor pure electric (Recasts, adding automaker comments, quotes)

By Jake Spring

BEIJING, Jan 23 China will maintain plans to gradually phase out subsidies for green energy vehicles until they are fully eliminated in 2021 and allow the market to determine the direction of green car development, Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said on Saturday.

But auto executives speaking alongside Lou at an industry conference in Beijing laid out differing visions as to which technology the market will favor: Tesla-style pure electrics or plug-in hybrid cars currently favored by Volkswagen AG and others.

Green car sales more than quadrupled in 2015 with the market finally taking off after years of subsidies and preferential government policies, leading China to surpass the United States to become the world's largest market for electric cars.

The government sees new energy vehicles, a catch-all for pure electric, hybrid and fuel cell cars, as a means for China's auto industry to catch up to foreign competition while also combating pollution that chokes many urban areas.

Lou reiterated plans to cut subsidies by 20 percent over the next two years and 40 percent by 2019-2020, eliminating them altogether after 2021 so that the industry does not grow dependent on them.

Instead, Lou said China should pursue market-based policies. He praised California's emissions policy, under which Tesla can generate environmental credits from its emissions-free vehicles and then sell the credits to other companies, for playing a critical role in the success of the Silicon Valley carmaker.

This was an example to learn from, he said. China has yet to institute a similar system.

"Credit trading is the most effective way to ensure government neutrality on the technology's development. The market should be able to choose the technical route," said Lou.

Other automakers like Beijing Automotive Group and start-up electric maker NextEV also praised pure electric car maker Tesla as a model for development.

Executives from Volkswagen and BMW AG said they remain focused on plug-in hybrids as a the most viable technology in the near-term as China transitions toward electric cars.

"Once we leave the city we are forced to confront the problem of a nationwide high-powered charging infrastructure - if you really see it as a realistic goal, I personally have some doubts - to drive pure electric over long distances," said Jochem Heizmann, head of Volkswagen Group China.

VW instead favors plug-in electric vehicles that can use electric engines for city driving and switch to gasoline engine for longer inter-city drives.

Chairman Wang Chuanfu of BYD , which makes China's best-selling plug-in hybrid, said he expects buses to achieve full electrification, with commercial vehicles being completely electrified within the decade and passenger cars being fully converted by 2030. (Reporting by Jake Spring)

Source: UPDATE 1-As China cuts green car subsidies, automakers' electric dreams differ

VW Appoints New Electric-Car Leader From Supplier Continental

As it tries to weather the ongoing diesel scandal, Volkswagen has promised to allocate more resources to electric-car development in the near future.

Now it has a new chief of electric-car development, named as part of a reorganization of VW's entire vehicle-development apparatus.

Christian Senger was hired by Volkswagen from Continental, where he previously led the supplier's Automotive Systems and Technology division, according to a VW press release.

DON'T MISS: 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf To Get Range Boost Above 100 Miles

At Continental, Senger was primarily involved in the development of electronics, including the company's autonomous-driving technology.

He started at Continental in September 2012, after a two-year stint at BMW, according to his LinkedIn profile, which also indicates that Senger was involved with the carmaker's "i" electric-car division.

Senger will head a vehicle-development division dedicated to battery-electric cars, as part of an overall restructuring of the Volkswagen organization.

Vehicle development for the Volkswagen brand will henceforth be divided into four groups based on vehicle type.

In addition to the electric-car group, there will be groups for "Small," "Compact," and a "Mid-Size and Full-Size" cars.

ALSO SEE: Volkswagen Budd-e Concept: 373-Mile, All-Electric Van Signals The Future

The "Small" group includes vehicles that would generally considered minicars and subcompacts in the U.S., like the Up! and Polo. The "Compact" group includes the Golf and vehicles of similar size, while the Mid-Size and Full-Size" group includes larger vehicles.

Each group encompasses both cars and SUVs.

If VW's recent discussions of electric cars are any indication, the company could keep Senger quite busy.

Volkswagen recently announced a new Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) platform for compact electric cars, that includes provisions for large, flat battery packs.

The possibilities of MEB were demonstrated at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where VW unveiled the Budd-e electric van concept.

Meant to rekindle nostalgia for the classic Microbus, the Budd-e has a 101-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, which allows for a range of 223 miles on the U.S. EPA testing cycle, according to VW.

MORE: Electric VW Phaeton Delayed To 2020, May Use Audi e-Tron Quattro Powertrain (Nov 2015)

In addition, Volkswagen has said it will build an all-electric version of its Phaeton luxury sedan. It will debut as part of a redesign of that model sometime around 2020.

According to Audi executive Siegfried Pint, however, the Volkswagen MEB architecture differs from Audi's adaptation of its MLB-Evo toolkit for larger cars with longitudinal engines that it will employ for the Q6 e-Tron Quattro electric SUV it plans to launch in 2018.

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Source: VW Appoints New Electric-Car Leader From Supplier Continental

Electric Car Sales Surge In Norway During 2015

There's no mystery why electric cars are so popular in Norway. To paraphrase an old saying, "It's the incentives, stupid!" Norway exempts most plug-in hybrid and electric cars from sales tax and registration fees. That makes them price competitive with conventional cars. It also gives EV drivers access to commuter lanes, free parking in most cites, and exempts them from most ferry and bridge tolls. If you look at a map of Norway, you will instantly see it has a lot of ferries and bridges. Finally, Norway is aggressively expanding its charging infrastructure.

Inside EVs put all the numbers together for 2015 and found that combined sales of new and used plug-in hybrid and electric cars and trucks totaled more than 40,000 vehicles. Just looking at new cars, EVs accounted for nearly 30% of all new cars sold in Norway in 2015. It seems clear from the numbers that people are influenced more by economics than environmental concerns when it comes to buying an electric car. What that suggests is that many drivers are perfectly willing to drive electric — if the price is right.

The most popular electric car was the e-Golf, which accounted for more than half of all Golfs sold in Norway last year. Tesla was the second best selling electric car with the Nissan LEAF third. Sales of the LEAF fell off sharply at the end of the year, as buyers decided to wait for the new car with its longer range battery to become available. Plug-in car sales were up over 300% over 2014, after Norway decided to extend some incentives to plug-ins as well. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV led all plug-in car sales.

Incentves make a huge difference. In  Sweden, which shares the same peninsular with Norway, the government is much less interested in promoting electric cars. As a result, sales of plug-ins and electric cars in Sweden are a small fraction of what they are in Norway.

How likely would the US be to provide such massive support for electric cars? We say we want more of them on the road, but are we willing to put our money where our mouth is? Georgia repealed its $5,000 tax credit for EVs last year. Since then, sales of plug-ins and electrics have plunged 90%, according to WBFO News. Tim Echols, a member of the state's Public Service Commission, said the issue was about more than money. Rural farmers were displeased that their tax dollars were being given away to eggheads and hipsters in Atlanta's trendy North End. As TIP O'Neill famously said, "All politics is local."

Norway has shown what it takes to get people into electric cars. But in the US, which is awash in cheap gasoline, the political will does not seem to exist to provide greater incentives. As a result, sales are holding steady at about 2% a year. By the time the nation gets behind the electric car movement, high tides will be lapping close to downtown Des Moines.

Tags: electric car, ev incentives, EV sales in Norway, Georgia tax credit

About the Author

Steve Hanley I have been a car nut since the days when Rob Walker and Henry N. Manney, III graced the pages of Road & Track. Today, I use my trusty Miata for TSD rallies and occasional track days at Lime Rock and Watkins Glen. If it moves on wheels, I'm interested in it. Please follow me on Google + and Twitter.

Source: Electric Car Sales Surge In Norway During 2015

Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: ‘I think Apple can do it’

Today

AAPL: 95.24

-1.42 Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: 'I think Apple can do it'

Benjamin Mayo

- 2 hours ago

@bzamayo

AAPL Company Apple Car Tech Industry Comments (2)

Rumors of Apple Car (codename 'Project Titan') continue to swirl and there's plenty time left for Apple to solidify or change its plans, given the expected launch of the new automobile is still five years away. However, that isn't stopping car company executives weighing in on the rumors. Whilst GM execs diss the idea of Apple investing in an electric car as a 'gigantic money pit', an executive from Ford seems enthused by the prospect. In an interview with Trusted Reviews,  Don Butler, Executive Director for Ford Connected Vehicles, said that they welcome competition and thinks technology companies can pull it off.

"We welcome others joining. We welcome the activity that's in the space. We think it's exciting. It's actually changed that we are embracing," said Butler, speaking to TrustedReviews at the CES 2016 tradeshow in Las Vegas. "So I think Apple can do it. I think Google can do it."

Watch the full interview in the video after the break …

Regarding autonomy, the Ford exec believes that the industry will reach Level 4 autonomous driving. This means that cars will be able to drive themselves in well-mapped areas in well-mapped conditions, i.e. main roads, highways and cities. He also suggests that companies like Apple or Google could partner with companies like Ford to speed up innovation in the car sector. Today, Ford is a close partner in Apple's CarPlay system, promising to bring integrations to cars in 2016.

Ford seems to be bullish on the adoption of the technology and the integration with technology companies. However, Dave Anderson, a representative from automotive integration at Nvidia was not as convinced regarding Apple's entrance. He warned that the process of making cars is arduous and involved, claiming both Apple and Google have a lot more learning to do before they can release their own successful electric vehicles.

It is likely that Apple's presence in the vehicles industry has grown since it made an appearance at a global car conference in November, leading executives to consider the proposition more seriously. Last week, Elon Musk described Apple's electric car efforts as an 'open secret', claiming it could be compelling. The tangible Apple Car will remain a mystery for the foreseeable future, however.

Source: Video: Ford executive is optimistic on Apple Car rumors: 'I think Apple can do it'

BMW Sold 20,000 Plug-In Electric Cars In U.S.

BMW i3 sales in U.S. – December 2015

2016 BMW i3 Shadow Sport Edition

BMW plug-in car sales in the U.S. are gaining momentum as three models – the i3, i8 and X5 xDrive40e (X5 PHV) helps to keep EV sales going strong.

Through the end of 2015, the i3 has attracted 17,116 buyers all-time in the US (6,092 in 2014 and 11,024 in its first full year of availability in 2015). The i3 is available in an -electric and also a range-extended version (REx) with gasoline engine backup.

Interesting is that i3 accounts for a high 4.5% of all BMW car sales (excluding light trucks) for 2015.

As for the BMW i8, in the 17 months it has been offered, a total of 2,820 sales have been realized in the US, which is an exceptional result considering the base i8 starts north of $130,000. December's surge to 656 also surprised us quite a bit; 2016 could be a very good year for BMW's plug-in super car.

BMW i8 sales in U.S. – December 2015

In the best months of 2015, the BMW i brand exceeded 9% share of all BMW cars sold in the U.S. (excluding lights trucks).

BMW i3 + i8 sales in U.S. – December 2015

For the last three months, there's been the BMW X5 xDrive40e available and despite its typically European low all-electric range, X5 PHV has already noted 892 sales with a 607 unit surge in December.

BMW X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW X5 xDrive40e

The X5 is classified as a light truck, so we compared total sales of all three models in relation to all BMW brand sales (cars and light trucks).

December was a peak month with 2,685 plug-in deliveries, good for a 7.8% total share. That's 10 times more than the industry average.

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW ended the year 2015 with 20,000 plug-ins on the roads in U.S. Most of them are i3s.

2016 looks to be BMW's best by far, as the (apparently) strong selling X5 PHV will be on sale for the full year, joining the i3 and i8.   Additionally, the 330e and 740e will also be added to the lineup halfway through, with the electrified 5 series coming on board sometime thereafter.

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW i3 + i8 + X5 PHV sales in U.S. – December 2015

BMW i8

Source: BMW Sold 20,000 Plug-In Electric Cars In U.S.

Best Plug-In Electric Car Deals For January 2016

2 hours ago by Mark Kane

Chevrolet Spark EV

Two 2015, and four 2016 plug-in electric cars were listed by CarsDirect as worthy to consider in January due to attractive offers.

The Chevrolet Spark EV remains the king of lease deals with average monthly cost over 39 months at $139 ($1 up compared to December when the 2015 model year was listed).

Then we see Fiat 500e (2015) at $225 (no change), Ford C-Max Energi (2015) at $237 (down from $246 in December), Volkswagen e-Golf (2016) at $244 (also down from $259).

Chevrolet Volt (2016) stands at $299 without change, as long as you are currently a non-GM owner.

And there is a Nissan LEAF on the list this time (instead of the BMW i3) with highlighted financing:

"You won't see it advertised on Nissan's website, but there's a 0% APR finance offer for 72 months plus a $3,500 bonus on all versions of the 2016 LEAF (including the new 107-mile version with 30 kWh battery). If you opt to lease, there are up to $9,300 in discounts available, with the largest amounts on the entry-level S model."

Source: CarsDirect

Tags: CarsDirect, chevrolet spark ev, chevrolet volt, deals, featured, Fiat 500E, Ford C-Max Energi, lease deals, Nissan Leaf, volkswagen e-golf

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Source: Best Plug-In Electric Car Deals For January 2016

MarketReportsOnline: Electric Vehicles Market Forecasts To 2018

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Source: MarketReportsOnline: Electric Vehicles Market Forecasts To 2018

Germany ready to make 2B euro bet on electric vehicles

Germany wants to have a million electric vehicles buzzing down the Autobahn by 2020, and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel believes the country could stoke demand for greener driving by investing 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) into the segment, according to Reuters citing a German newspaper.

Gabriel's plan would disburse the massive amount of cash to support EVs in three ways. First, buyers would receive a government subsidy when they purchase an applicable vehicle, but the minister didn't specify an exactly how much that would be. He would also invest the money in building more charging stations and get the government to use more EVs.

A recent estimate suggested there were about 50,000 EVs in Germany at the end of 2015, which put the country significantly off pace for its million-car goal. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been outspoken about encouraging people to drive green, and she seemed close to supporting government subsidies for EVs last summer. However, nothing has been ve ry successful at spurring plug-in vehicle sales there as of yet. For the last few years, we've heard rumors that the government would boost EV incentives in the past, so we take this latest discussion with the requisite grains of salt.

Government subsidies have worked to boost EV sales in other parts of the world. Norway, especially, found huge success by offering buyers incentives, and once there was enough momentum of people buying green vehicles, the country backed off the enticements. The right programs could let Germany follow the same path, if it decides to actually follow through this time.

Source: Germany ready to make 2B euro bet on electric vehicles

Industry, government seek ways to boost electric vehicle sales

During his news conference with journalists at the North American International Auto Show Monday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne was asked whether he expected to lose money on the plug-in, hybrid version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which will be built at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

"Hell, no," Marchionne said. "We are not expecting to lose money on the plug-in, especially when plug-in hybrids are expected to become such a big piece of the portfolio going forward. Setting a bad example with the minivan is going to be bad news for the rest of the business."

While Marchionne has said that the entire FCA product line would be electrified by 2023, his blunt response suggested the Pacifica hybrid's pricing would ensure the carmaker at least breaks even on sales of a vehicle based on technology that is not only more expensive to develop than gasoline-based powertrains but has been largely shunned by car buyers.

"The cost associated with that plug-in minivan is not inconsequential," he said. 

Both U.S. and Canadian governments have pushed manufacturers to build electric and hybrid cars as a way of meeting increasingly stringent fuel economy standards. Consumers, however, have not embraced these vehicles.

Canadian sales of plug-in hybrids peaked in 2012 with 25,101 units and have steadily fallen ever since, said Toronto-based auto industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers. Of the record-breaking 1.9 million new vehicles sold last year, sales of hybrids were expected to total between 17,000 and 18,000 units, he added. "It's abysmal."

Falling gasoline prices are only one reason for declining demand, said DesRosiers. Sales continue to be hampered by prices that can be thousands of dollars higher than those of comparable gasoline vehicles as well as range anxiety — the fear a vehicle will run out of battery power before occupants have reached their destination.

Even Ontario government subsidies that offer  rebates of up to $8,500 toward the purchase or leasing of eligible electric and hybrid vehicles aren't spurring demand, he added.

"The government's strategy is a failed strategy."

According to Ontario government statistics, there are 5,400 electric vehicles registered in the province.

The low numbers have prompted the province to "update" its rebate program as well as announce plans to spend $20 million on the installation of hundreds of electric-vehicle charging stations within and between urban centres, said Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid.

"We're investing in charging stations across the province … to increase the level of comfort in Ontario consumers (about) buying hybrids, in particular buying straight electric vehicles," Duguid said on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show. "Once that infrastructure is in place, there's very little reason for consumers not to move towards hybrids. We also have a very aggressive rebate system in Ontario where we provide significant rebates for consumers that buy electric vehicles."

But the public's tepid response to the five-year-old rebate program has prompted a review as well as discussions with the auto industry on how to change a seemingly entrenched automotive culture, he added.

"That's one of the questions as the sector gathers here in Detroit globally that auto executives and government officials are working together to try to tackle," Duguid said. "The fact of the matter is consumers do drive the auto sector. So, we have to work together to change the culture of auto consumers so they feel more comfortable going into hybrids in Ontario."

Carmakers are improving battery technology to the point where consumers will soon gravitate toward electric vehicles, said Jeff Reaume, general sales manager at Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC in LaSalle.

General Motors used the Detroit event to unveil the 2017 Chevy Bolt, which promises 320 km of range on a single charge. "That's going to be a game-changer," said Reaume. "As the markets change, as gas prices change I think there will be more of a demand."

DesRosiers suggested that the best way to reduce emissions is a "carrot-and-stick-approach" to get older vehicles off the road. Governments could increase licence renewal fees on older vehicles while offering incentives to buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles, he said.

"The government should target consumers, not the manufacturers."

gmacaluso@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarmacaluso

Source: Industry, government seek ways to boost electric vehicle sales

Acura NSX Is Polished and Speedy Sports Car Luxury

January 12, 2016

GM's Reuss: Lyft Deal Opens Markets for Vehicles

56:58 - Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development at General Motors, talks with Matt Miller about new technological developments in the automaker's 2017 models, the benefits of the company's $500 million investment in Lyft, and how electric vehicles are helping to bring about a dramatic change in China's auto market. He speaks from the North American International Auto Show on "Bloomberg Markets." (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Acura NSX Is Polished and Speedy Sports Car Luxury

Tesla Model 3 will make electric cars affordable: Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the Model 3, which launches at the end of 2017, will make it affordable to own an electric vehicle.

Speaking to BBC, Musk said the Model 3 is the third part of Tesla's strategy – which is aimed at producing a high-volume, low-cost electric car.

"To have a substantial effect on transportation, we have to make the cars affordable," said Musk. "The Model 3 is extremely important as part of that strategy."

Unless there is an affordable electric car, said Musk, they will only have a small impact on the world.

More on Tesla and electric cars

The Apple Car is coming

Tesla autopilot mode to launch soon

Source: Tesla Model 3 will make electric cars affordable: Musk

Chevrolet Bolt Chief Engineer Takes Us Inside GM’s 200-Mile Electric Car – Video

Chevrolet Bolt Chief Engineer Takes Us Inside GM's 200-Mile Electric Car - Video - Inside EVs

18 hours ago by Electric CarsTV

2017 Chevrolet Bolt Interior

Via Slash Gear, we present this detailed interior walkthough of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt with the electric car's chief engineer hosting the presentation.

Some highlights found within the Bolt include:

smart range estimating using driving history of the car, weather, time of day, terrain – navigation to assist in enhancing range routes and to show local charging station inside that range

10.2″ MyLink screen, with wide-angle rear camera viewing and surround/bird's eye viewing

4G LTE and wifi hotspot

normal array of apps – time of day charging, state of charge, environment preconditioning, etc.

Check out the video for more details.

Tags: 2017 bolt, bolt, bolt interior, chevrolet bolt, chevy bolt

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Source: Chevrolet Bolt Chief Engineer Takes Us Inside GM's 200-Mile Electric Car – Video

This Battery Won’t Make Cars or ‘Hoverboards’ Catch Fire

PUBLISHED Mon Jan 11 09:15:00 EST 2016

They're supposed to be fun, but self-balancing scooters—often called "hoverboards"—have caught fire while people were riding them. They've been banned by some universities and airlines. Their culprit? Lithium-ion batteries.

Such widely used batteries, the workhorse in consumer electronics, have also caused fires in electric cars and cargo planes. Because of their overheating risks, companies and the U.S. government have recalled thousands of batteries used in cameras, laptops, tablets, cordless tools, and even winter jackets.

Now Stanford University researchers may have a solution. In a study published Monday in Nature Energy, they say they've developed the first lithium-ion battery that will shut down before overheating and will restart immediately when the temperature cools.

"The potential for mass production is quite high," says co-author Zhenan Bao, a professor of chemical engineering, noting that most of the materials involved are inexpensive plastic and nickel. She says their battery restarts without losing  efficiency.

Worldwide, researchers are racing to build better and cheaper batteries, because the demand for them is increasing. As the new UN climate accord prods countries to shift from fossil fuels, more battery-powered electric cars are entering the market, and more solar panels and wind turbines are producing power that needs to be stored for days without sun or wind.

Since safety concerns linger, some of this research aims to lower the risk of fire. Last year, a Harvard team debuted a non-flammable flow battery, which can store grid-scale energy in external liquid tanks. MIT researchers said the lithium-ion battery could be safer by making a key component, the electrolyte, solid rather than liquid.

Others have looked at adding flame retardants to the electrolyte, which carries charged particles between the battery's electrodes. Last year, Stanford engineer Yi Cui built a "smart" battery that offers a warning before it gets too hot.

For their new battery, Stanford researchers use a thin polyethylene film that's embedded with spiky nanoparticles of graphene-coated nickel.

 

 

 

Photograph by Zheng Chen, Stanford University

"Unfortunately, these techniques are irreversible, so the battery is no longer functional after it overheats," Cui said in announcing the newest study, of which he's a co-author.

To solve this big problem, he and colleagues went small—really small. They turned to nanotechnology, inspired by Bao's recent invention of a wearable sensor to monitor human body temperature. The sensor is made of a plastic material embedded with tiny particles of nickel that have spikes protruding from their surface.

For the battery, the Stanford team put the spiky nickel particles in a thin film of elastic polyethylene and coated them with graphene, an atom-thick layer of carbon. To conduct electricity, the particles have to touch one another, but as temperatures rise, the polyethylene stretches so the particles spread out and electricity no longer flows through the battery. As the temperatures fall back down, the plastic shrinks and the particles come back into contact.

"Our design provides a reliable, fast, reversible strategy that can achieve both high battery performance and improved safety," the study says.

Hundreds of millions of lithium-ion batteries are made annually, and very few cause melting, fire or explosions. But some are linked to high-profile accidents. Those in the new popular "hoverboards" have been blamed for setting several houses ablaze and even burning one down in Louisiana.

While a safer battery may be on the way, entrepreneurs aren't just waiting. They're taking other steps to avoid battery fires. After the lithium-ion batteries in a few Teslas were damaged in collisions, and the cars caught fire, company co-founder Elon Musk announced the company would add a titanium shield to the underbody of the Model S sedan.

The story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For more, visit The Great Energy Challenge.

On Twitter: Follow Wendy Koch and get more environment and energy coverage at NatGeoEnergy.

Source: This Battery Won't Make Cars or 'Hoverboards' Catch Fire

Electric 'Batmobile' Shows Chinese Want To Be In The Supercar Market

Despite not actually having a car in production, the firm Faraday Future has headline-writers gushing about its "Tesla-killing supercar" – an all-electric car that looks like the Batmobile.

There is no doubting that the FFZero1 concept car just unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week is eye-catching, but it's one of a number of new and transformed car brands. For example, the Detroit Electric SP:01 or the recently announced Fisker Force 1 and London Taxi Company's TX5.

What these companies have in common is a part- or fully-electric powertrain, a willingness to experiment with new business models, and Chinese funding.

In a lecture given in 2010, Coventry University Professor Tom Donnelly predicted that the Chinese had the global auto market in their sights. The size of the Chinese domestic market and the challenges of meeting standards in competitive Western markets mean that it's unlikely we will see forecourts spilling over with Chinese brands such as Geelys or Dongfengs any time soon. But as Chinese manufacturing moves up the value chain, China is using its financial clout to buy-up well-known brands and supply expertise.

Buying a technological lead

The most obvious example of this trend is the purchase of Volvo by Geely: this sturdy Swedish brand brings first-rate expertise and supply-chain networks. The part-purchase of Peugeot by Dongfeng follows a similar logic. Just as important is that these purchases provide the scope to enable Chinese manufacturers to test global markets and gain credibility, not just in Europe and America, but in the all-important domestic market where foreign brands remain (for now) highly prized.

This is a classic example of a technological catch-up strategy, and there are plenty of examples of other multi-nationals in emerging markets playing the same game – India's Tata Motors asute purchase of Jaguar Land Rover, for example.

But, as the FFZero1 demonstrates, there is also something else happening: a leap-frog strategy whereby Chinese firms seeks to exploit new emerging technologies to gain an edge on Western competitors in fields that are still wide open.

BYD Autos's Denza car, built through a collaboration with Germany's Daimler AG, is an electric vehicle that competes on price and performance with anything currently on the market. Hail a cab in Brussels and – ironically, given the EU's efforts to promote alternative fuels – if the car is electric, it's probably a Denza.

This is due in part to a conscious effort from the government in Beijing. The 2012 Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan seeks to reduce energy dependency on Middle East states, tackle the air pollution problem, grow the Chinese car market and build a technological lead.

More everyday than 'supercar', but the Denza has challenged established brands and models. Diego Azubel/EPA Global companies, global markets

Yet this spate of investment in electric supercars is arguably more a product of global connections and globally-minded individuals.

Alan Lam, former Executive Director of Lotus Cars, revived the Detroit Electric brand by bringing together access to US markets and technology, UK design expertise, and Chinese investment.

Billionaire investor Jia Yueting has sought to challenge (and emulate?) Tesla Motor's CEO Elon Musk by backing Faraday Future's prestigious, and at this stage concept-only, sportscar. Faraday Future brings much-coveted US expertise in energy storage, autonomous car intelligence and connectivity, but is aimed squarely at China as one of the key target markets.

Are we witnessing a land-grab of the future automotive industry? Should we be worried? Certainly the Chinese aren't alone in looking at alternative fuels and new business models – every automotive industry company management team and a good few technology companies have this firmly on their radar. We've also been here before: waves of US and Japanese firms have in the past embarked on shopping sprees as the firms go global and internationalize their markets. Now Chinese, and Indian, firms are doing the same. Yet China is different, with Chinese firms demonstrating a huge appetite for creating global connections with enormous scope for experimentation based on its dizzying number of competing domestic and international brands.

To emphasise, it's not just Chinese money that's driving this wave of new ventures, but an awareness of the benefits that can come from harnessing the strengths of the different technology, design, supply chains, and target markets. It's equally refreshing to see how entrepreneurs such as Alan Lam, with his international background, are willing and able to roll the dice and develop new car marques that may succeed or fail in segments traditional car-makers may overlook.

How far Faraday Future gets to realizing its vision remains to be seen. But it is this combination of new technologies, new players and new attitudes that's driving a wave of fresh initiatives. The good news is, with the right connections, there are opportunities for everyone. 

By Richard Brooks, Research Associate - Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Source: Electric 'Batmobile' Shows Chinese Want To Be In The Supercar Market

2015 Nissan LEAF Depreciates More Than Any Other Car

52 mins ago by Mark Kane 2Comments

2015 Nissan LEAF

2015 Nissan LEAF

USA Today listed the Nissan LEAF on top of  the 2015 models with highest immediate drop-off in resale value.

LEAF is hit by 48% depreciation "comparing their sales-weighted sticker prices as new cars to their wholesale price at auction" according to Carlypso.

"Nissan's Leaf, priced new from $29,010 to $35,120,  has shown up near the top of worst resale price before — and for good reason. It, like other new electric vehicles, are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits, as well as automaker's discounts. Those discounts and incentives filter down when the car is resold."

The $7,500 federal tax credit (and some state incentives) are of course key to understanding the depreciation rate of the LEAF and, in general, plug-in electric cars – but it is still not great news to hear you lead the pack of plug-ins either.

We'd like to stress again, if you take $7,500 from the price (MSRP + $850 destination charge) of $29,860 (2016 base 24 kWh version) and $35,050 (2016 base 30 kWh version), you immediately get a 25% and 19.5% lower price…which lowers the effect 'real world' depreciation to somewhere between 23% and 27.5%.

The Fact That Today's Nissan LEAF Is Heading Into A Generational Upgrade In About A Year Isn't Doing The Current Car Any Favors

No one with tax credit capability will buy a nearly-new, used LEAF for several thousand lower than new if that same person could buy brand new from a dealer (now also with new 2-year free charging under Nissan No Charge to Charge program).

The same is true with local state incentives – sometimes several thousand dollars on top in addition.

On top of those incentives comes normal value drop of used cars depending on mileage, age and condition, but we believe that most of the early depreciation comes from the incentives themselves.

From the outside it looks like the Nissan LEAF would be a bad car with its high depreciation, but that isn't true – at least when compared to petrol cars. This is just economy, and proof that incentives for new cars not only help first buyers, but also makes used EVs more affordable for those in the second-hand market.

Depreciation must be counted after incentives, or at least reports should indicate both values to provide truer image.

And here is the key insight – by purchasing an EV you will get full incentives by keeping the car long-term (like 10 years). Because prices of new and used cars are lowered by incentives, those who sell the car will sort of split their tax credit/state incentives with the next buyer.

"Here's the list of what Carlypso says is the amount of depreciation in 2015 cars, comparing their sales-weighted sticker prices as new cars to their wholesale price at auction.

.1. Nissan Leaf — 48%2. Dodge Charger –45%3. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — 41%4. Chevrolet Camaro — 39%5. Kia Cadenza — 38%6. Volkswagen Beetle  — 37%7. Chevrolet Express –37%8. Mitsubishi Lancer — 35%9. Kia Optima — 35%10. Cadillac CTS — 34%"

Source: USA Today

Tags: depreciation, Nissan, Nissan Leaf, nissan leaf depreciation

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Source: 2015 Nissan LEAF Depreciates More Than Any Other Car

Volkswagen to unveil new SUV in electric-car push to win back U.S. buyers

The logo of German carmaker Volkswagen is seen at a VW dealership in the Queens borough of New York, September 21, 2015. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

Volkswagen will unveil a battery-powered SUV at the Detroit auto show on Monday, according to company sources, part of a push into electric vehicles as it seeks to win back U.S. buyers following its emissions test cheating scandal.

The car will be a plug-in hybrid version of the Tiguan, the German automaker's top-selling sport-utility vehicle (SUV), the two sources told Reuters on Friday.

Analysts say Volkswagen's core VW brand badly needs new models in the world's second largest auto market to reverse a three-year decline in sales which fell 4.8 percent in 2015 to 349,440 cars.

Europe's biggest automaker is putting increasing emphasis on electric cars following its cheating of diesel emissions tests, which analysts think could hit demand for diesel vehicles, and a focus on SUVs makes sense given their growing popularity.

"VW can't release an SUV soon enough," Edmunds.com analyst Jeremy Acevedo said. "SUV market share is at its highest ever level (in the U.S.)," with compact SUVs such as the new Tiguan accounting for 13 percent of all U.S. auto sales in 2015.

The sources said the concept model, following VW's unveiling of an electric microbus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, would hit U.S. dealerships sometime after the planned release next year of a new midsize crossover vehicle and a long-wheelbase Tiguan.

However, the German group is struggling to balance model development with the growing costs of its emissions scandal, a task made more difficult this week by a U.S. lawsuit seeking billions of dollars in fines.

The new Tiguan prototype integrates electric engines at the front and rear axles and boasts more offroad quality than the GTE concept version of VW's fifth best-selling model launched at the Frankfurt auto show last September, the sources said.

Still, demand for hybrid and electric cars has been dampened by cheap gasoline as well as limited range and high prices.

U.S. sales of hybrid and all electric vehicles plunged 16 percent in the first 11 months of 2015 compared with the year before to 452,338 cars, the Electric Drive Transportation Association said.

However, regulators are requiring automakers to sell more electric cars to curb greenhouse emissions and VW is keen to redouble efforts in the wake of its emissions scandal.

"Perhaps VW was so successful building cars in a conventional way that the necessity to fully engage with several new aspects of mobility has not been recognized," Chief Executive Matthias Mueller told Wirtschaftswoche magazine in an interview published on Jan. 6. "That is now different."

VW plans to expand its so-called MQB modular platform - the base for most of the group's small and medium front-wheel-drive models - to build long-range plug-in hybrids and electric cars.

It also aims to develop a new modular platform dubbed MEB for compact electric cars and light commercial vehicles and launch 20 battery-powered or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2020.

"We are developing entirely new and unique vehicle concepts especially for long-distance electric mobility," VW brand chief Herbert Diess said on Jan. 6 at the CES. "We are renewing our thinking, our approach and our products."

Research firm IHS Automotive forecasts the VW brand's U.S. sales may plunge another 13 percent this year, before rebounding in 2017 with the help of SUV launches and steadily growing to 507,794 cars by 2020.

(Editing by Mark Potter)

Source: Volkswagen to unveil new SUV in electric-car push to win back U.S. buyers

GM takes aim at mass-market with new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle

The "game-changing" Chevrolet Bolt is slated to hit the streets before Tesla introduces its mass-market EV. PHOTO: General Motors

LAS VEGAS—The American electric vehicle revolution, it seems, is in full swing.

In a move that could mark the true beginning for mass-market electrics, General Motors launched its all-new Chevolet Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Jan. 6.

"It was less than a year ago that we revealed the Bolt EV concept and promised to deliver a long-range electric vehicle attainable by the masses," GM's freshly-appointed chairman and CEO, Mary Barra, said. "The Bolt EV is capable of using the latest mobile app technology to enable car sharing, advanced GPS routing and gamification, all designed to enhance the ownership experience now and into the future."

General Motors launched its new Chevrolet Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Jan. 6. PHOTO: General Motors

While GM has not released official pricing details for the new EV, it has said previously the vehicle will retail for around US$30,000 in the U.S., after federal tax rebates of $7,500. Sporting a 200 mile range on a full charge—considered long-range for EVs—the fast-growing, but still fledgling industry may never be quite the same.

GM's competitors, including market darling Tesla Motors Inc. have yet to release comparable mass-market vehicles. Tesla's Model 3, which it said will retail for around $35,000, has been slated to hit the streets by 2017.

With a production deadline of late 2016, Chevy seems poised to hit the mass market first.

In designing the vehicle, GM gave engineers "unprecedented freedom" to tackle some of the major boundaries EVs have faced.

The front end of the new EV. Both the front and rear exterior sport LED lights. PHOTO: General Motors

"We were given a blank canvas – a rare opportunity with a unique platform to recast EV design for customers across the spectrum," Stuart Norris, managing director of Design, said. "The team answered the challenge with a progressive design distinguished by dramatic graphics and exceptional passenger space."

The Bolt's battery pack will be mounted beneath the interior floor of the vehicle in a configuration known as "flat-pack," while the car's 102.4-inch wheelbase and wide track "give it a solid stance and the look of a small crossover," GM said. The hatchback will seat five and house 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

The Bolt's maximum range is 200 miles on a single charge. PHOTO: General Motors

"The Bolt EV's design elements are designed for everyday life and the space inside accommodates it all, whether you and your friends go shopping for the day or take off for the weekend," Norris said. "Inside and out, this game-changing vehicle makes a dramatic statement with a distinctive identity that can only be a Chevy and challenges expectations for what an affordable EV can offer."

With an ambitious design and an affordable price tag, the vehicle has the markings of a game-changer. Nevertheless, whether or not GM can coax Americans and those around the world to get behind the wheel of an electric remains to be seen.

Chevy will build the Bolt at GM's Orion Assembly facility, near Detroit.

Source: GM takes aim at mass-market with new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle