Tesla Prepares To Unveil Model 3, Its Most Important Electric Car Yet

HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- On Thursday night, electric car manufacturer Tesla will unveil its latest electric car -- the hotly anticipated lower-cost Model 3 sedan -- at its Hawthorne, California, design studio.

It's a historic moment for both the electric car industry and for Elon Musk's Tesla. While it's the company's fourth car released, it's Tesla's first-ever affordable one -- and that's a big deal for the industry. Of course several lower-priced all-electric cars have been introduced, but for Tesla, considered to be the Apple of the automotive industry, the Model 3 has the potential to ostensibly be its iPhone -- a mass-market, consumer-priced and sexy machine that changes the game.

If the car becomes as popular and successful as Musk hopes, Tesla stands to become a major consumer brand that helps to finally usher the all-electric car era into the mainstream. But it may be a bumpy road ahead  -- the Koch brothers are planning a multimillion-dollar assault on electric vehicles, Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model is still prohibited in several states, automotive technology and trends are evolving rapidly and there is a possibility of shrinking tax incentives that push electric car prices down, a key to driving sales. When the Model 3 finally does begin to ship in late 2017, it won't be the first affordable all-electric vehicle to hit the market, so Tesla stands to face considerable competition.

Still, Tesla's Model 3 marks a significant step forward for the electric car and could prove to really move the needle for the electric car industry. 

Watch the event live here starting at 8:30 p.m. PST.

This is a developing story, check back here for updates...

Source: Tesla Prepares To Unveil Model 3, Its Most Important Electric Car Yet

Magnis Nears Graphite Sales Deals as Electric Car Demand Booms

(Bloomberg) -- Magnis Resources Ltd., developing a $269 million mine in Tanzania to produce graphite used in lithium-ion batteries, has held advanced discussions with customers to secure sales agreements ahead of finalizing funding for the project, the company said.

"Demand is growing immensely and people agree that lithium-ion batteries are taking off and they are the way of the future," Frank Poullas, chairman of Magnis, said in an interview in Perth on Thursday. The company has held talks with customers in North America, Europe and Asia, he said.

Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA have said sales of battery-powered vehicles climbed to a record last year, while Volkswagen AG's Audi plans to start building its first purely electric sport utility vehicle in 2018. Tesla Motors Inc. is set to introduce its first mass-production electric car, the Model 3, Thursday.

The Nachu mine will produce 240,000 metric tons of graphite concentrate a year for 15 years from the second quarter of 2017. It will produce so-called jumbo and super-jumbo flakes which attract significant pricing premiums as they require less processing, according to Bell Potter Securities Ltd.

©2016 Bloomberg L.P.

Source: Magnis Nears Graphite Sales Deals as Electric Car Demand Booms

Electric car rollout aims to reduce pollution

By Hu Yongqi(China Daily)Updated: 2016-03-31 08:00:00

An electric car is charged at a charging station in Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing plans to deploy another 6,000 electric cars for government use this year amid the city's efforts to curb air pollution.

It follows the adoption of 1,300 electric cars for governmental leases last year, according to Xu Heyi, chairman of the board of directors of BAIC Motor Corp. The total fleet of 7,300 cars will provide services for 91 ministries and departments of the central government and 180 departments of the Beijing municipal government, Xu said.

Nationwide reform of government-owned vehicles has largely focused on subsidizing officials and boosting the transparency of transportation expenses, but Xu said Beijing was focusing on replacing government-owned cars with timeshare car rentals.

Electric cars emit far fewer pollutants than gasoline-powered cars. Since the beginning of last year, the central government has operated 230 electric cars, with each being driven for an average of 12,400 kilometers - saving 1,200 liters of gasoline and reducing carbon emissions by 2,770 kilograms, according to the National Government Offices Administration of the State Council.

To further encourage use, BAIC is rolling out a service whereby officials from the Beijing municipal government and some of the ministries and departments of the State Council can rent an electric car from near their office building to carry out their duties. The car can then be returned to another location and the user pays electronically.

As recharging is an unavoidable issue for electric cars, Xu said charging stations were being installed inside or near government buildings.

"For example, you can return the car when you get to your meeting. After the meeting, you can rent another car to go back. In this way, the car rental can be easily accepted and operated," Xu said.

As of March 3, BAIC had installed more than 3,000 charging stations for governmental use. In the downtown area, officials of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision can use a swipe card to rent an electric car for business purposes.

Sun Lijun, professor of transportation at Tongji University in Shanghai, welcomed the initiative as it could encourage local governments to procure or rent new-energy vehicles for business trips as well.

"Therefore, Beijing's electric car trial may help national reform of government-owned vehicles and reduce air pollution as well," Sun said.

Source: Electric car rollout aims to reduce pollution

Contra Costa Spring Home & Garden Show to Host Free Electric Vehicle Test-Drive Event

OAKLAND, Calif., March 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to the Contra Costa Spring Home and Garden Show on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 will be able to test drive some of the newest models of electric cars at the Concord Pavilion, located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road in Concord. The "Experience Electric – The Better Ride" campaign will offer free electric vehicle (EV) test drives both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

View photo

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Vehicles slated for testing at the ride-and-drive event include the BMW i3 REX, Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf. Licensed drivers can try out these EVs on a first-come, first-served basis and feel the differences between driving with electricity versus driving a gasoline-powered car. Those taking test drives will receive Experience Electric souvenir sunglasses.

"Test-driving at a dealer's showroom can be a bit intimidating, but there's no pressure or sales hype at our events," said Vanessa Minei, Marketing Manager with the Center for Sustainable Energy, a partner in the Experience Electric campaign. "We've all seen EVs on the road, but this is a chance to try one out, have some fun and feel the electric experience."

Experience Electric is a joint initiative of MTC, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and a consortium of EV organizations including the Center for Sustainable Energy. The campaign's goal is to increase EV adoption throughout the nine-county Bay Area. Accelerating EV use is a key strategy for state and local governments to reduce emissions from gas-powered vehicles, improve air quality and achieve goals for curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more about Experience Electric and future ride-and-drive events, visit www.facebook.com/thebetterride or www.energycenter.org/ExperienceElectric.

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the agency chartered with protecting air quality in the Bay Area.

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Source: Contra Costa Spring Home & Garden Show to Host Free Electric Vehicle Test-Drive Event

Electric vehicles will not cause oil 'crisis,' Navigant says

If Big Oil is eyeballing electric-vehicle adoption as the cause of falling crude prices, it's looking in the wrong direction, says Navigant Research. Navigant was addressing a Bloomberg Business article from late February that said more EV purchases during the next decade or so would lead to further oil "crises." Navigant, which has long covered emerging technologies, calls the claim "sensationalist." Not exactly fighting words, but a sharp rebuttal nevertheless.

That same drop in oil demand could be caused by less than one-tenth of a percent improvement in overall fuel efficiency.

Navigant estimates that the amount of oil use displaced by electric vehicles totaled about 2.1 million barrels for the four years that ended at the end of 2014, so the debate isn't about whether more plug-in sales will reduce oil demand. It's the scale that Navigant calls into question. Specifically, that same drop in oil demand could be caused by less than one-tenth of a percent improvement in overall fuel efficiency during that four-year period. And Navigant estimates that fleet-wide fuel economy in the US will improve by 22 percent during the next decade.

Additionally, more vehicles will have progressively more advanced autonomous driving features. That means fewer accidents, less traffic jams, and less instances of gas-burning idling. Put into play municipal programs that make it both more convenient and cost effective to take public transportation or bike to work, and there's a further drop in oil use that will dwarf the electric-vehicle effect.

Crude oil prices are up a bout 50 percent since mid-February, and gas prices are up around 17 percent to about $2.04 a gallon right now. They're still down from the $2.43 a gallon average of a year ago, according to AAA.

All of which makes Bloomberg's hypothesis of an oil crisis taking place between 2020 and 2025 a little more questionable. Bloomberg does estimate that as much as a third of new-vehicle sales in 2040 will be of the plug-in variety. Navigant is just saying that other transportation factors will have an even greater impact on oil demand.

Source: Electric vehicles will not cause oil 'crisis,' Navigant says

Rules Change For California’s Electric Vehicle Rebate

Starting this week, more people will have access to California's rebate program for electric vehicles. But for high-income earners, the program is about to run out of power.

If you can afford to pay cash for an electric BMW, this is probably not good news. New income guidelines go into effect Tuesday for the state's popular Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. Up until Monday, anyone who bought an electric vehicle qualified for the rebate, regardless of their income.

"The state wants to increase access to these vehicles to as many consumers as they can," said Colin Santulli, senior transportation manager at the Center for Sustainable Energy.

"One way to do that is to increase the incentive for the lowest-income consumers in California," he said. "And because of budget constraints, they're also going to limit the highest-income earners."

If you make more than $250,000 as a single tax filer, you'll no longer qualify for the rebate. A couple filing jointly won't qualify if they earn over $500,000.

The good news is that for households earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level, that credit is about to go up an extra $1,500. The Center for Sustainable Energy surveyed electric car buyers and found half of them felt they wouldn't have been able to afford the vehicle without the incentive. The group hopes that the changes will put more electric cars on the road.

Source: Rules Change For California's Electric Vehicle Rebate

Newest Tesla electric Model 3 car will aim at middle market

Many experts and investors have noted that the success of the Model 3 electric-car is crucial not only to the reputation of Tesla, but also for the future of the electric vehicle industry.

Tesla (TSLA - Get Report) has long pinned its long-term hopes on both the Gigafactory, where it's manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, and the company's mass-market sedan, the Model 3.

So, no pressure or anything. Stifel Nicolaus restated an "outperform" rating and set a $400.00 price target on shares of Tesla Motors in a research note on Tuesday, January 5th.

"For $10,000 plus taxes and labor, P90D owners can have their vehicle retrofitted, decreasing its 0 to 60 miles per hour time by 10 percent to 2.8 seconds, and making its 0 to 155 miles per hour time 20 percent faster than a standard Model S", reported Auto Blog. If it flops, however, Tesla might never recover.

Normally known for his openness and candor, CEO Elon Musk and his team have not revealed much about the Model 3, save for a few details. He will have no more access to the cash that is required to run the company-remember, he makes no money.

Tesla is taking Ferrari's lead on its approach to selling its cars.

So, that sounds bad. Here, SeekingAlpha author Randy Carlson predicts three versions of the Tesla's upcoming Model 3. However, it will cost the customer a bit more.

Tesla Motors is all set to unveil its latest Model 3 on March 31, 2016 at the Tesla Design Studio in California.

The move is a big step in Tesla's plan to become a major automobile manufacturer and a clear leader in the electric vehicle market. Analysts anticipate that Tesla Motors will post $1.31 earnings per share for the current year.

The timing of the Model 3 concerns Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, "because it's at least a year after the Chevrolet Bolt arrives, and additional pure electrics with a similar range could easily show up by late 2017".

Reserving a Model 3 requires a deposit of $1,000 for USA customers, and customers in other world markets can expect to see an equivalent price (for instance, Tesla asks €1,000 of European Union customers).

So, just four years into its existence, the Model S is already the top-selling large-luxury vehicle in the U.S.

Reservations are $1,000 apiece and can be refunded, so that relatively low cost of entry plus the promise of a refund could make a reservation appealing even to a non-Tesla owner who is interested in the buzz around the Model 3. Owing to the way that the clock system works on this planet, Australian consumers will be able to pick up the Tesla Model 3 several hours before fans of the vehicle in the United States. Self-driving cars are becoming increasingly popular, and if you're into the idea, the Model 3 could be your chance to have that feature.

Source: Newest Tesla electric Model 3 car will aim at middle market

Very cheap, low-range electric cars key for China, India: Nissan CEO Ghosn

Venucia E30 (Chinese version of Nissan Leaf electric car), Guangzhou Auto Show [photo: ChinaAutoWeb]

Enlarge Photo

Carlos Ghosn, who runs automakers Nissan and Renault, is one of the few auto executives who'll regularly take questions from a roomful of more than 100 journalists.

At last week's New York Auto Show, many of the questions concerned plans by the Renault Nissan Alliance for more and higher-volume electric cars.

Discussing plans for India and China, he suggested that different products and tactics are needed.

DON'T MISS: Future Of Electric Cars Depends On China, Says Nissan CEO Ghosn (Sep 2013)

It's safe to say that electric cars offered in those countries won't be much like the Nissan Leafs and Renault Zoes sold in developed countries.

But any future growth in vehicle sales will come from the huge developing markets of China and India, not Europe, North America, or Japan.

So how can Nissan sell electric cars in those countries—and what's needed to make them a success?

2015 Nissan Leaf, Denver, Colorado, Mar 2016 [photo: owner Andrew Ganz]

Enlarge Photo

They will be, Ghosn said, "cheap and low-cost" to make them competitive enough that price-sensitive consumers will pay attention.

The alliance's priority, he said, "is to the mass market"—the Leaf, the Zoe, the Renault Kangoo and Nissan eNV-200 commercial vans—and not to "flagship" vehicles that may inspire passion and emotion, but sell in very low numbers.

"Costs need to go down" for electric cars to make a dent in China and India, he explained. "We need to be much more competitive—if they're too expensive, people don't buy them."

ALSO SEE: China To Top U.S. Electric-Car Sales? Why Stats Don't Compare

What's selling in volume in China and India, he added, are "very cheap" and "very simple" cars.

And for electric cars, he noted, that stands in contrast to the U.S. and Europe, where the Leaf and Zoe are far from least-expensive entries among similarly-sized vehicles.

"We don't have to guess" what Renault and Nissan could "take out" of electric cars to make them lower-cost, Ghosn responded when pressed for specifics.

"We need cheaper batteries, and lower ranges," for customers who will "accept a lower level of performance" that will require "more refueling."

The best test of such a strategy is the Chinese market, he added.

Currently, Nissan partners with Chinese maker Dongfeng to assemble the Venucia E30, a lightly modified Nissan Leaf, for sale in China. It has sold only in small numbers.

CHECK OUT: Cue Kandi Store Jokes: Small Electric Car Goes On Sale In China

On other topics, Ghosn said nontraditional auto players like Google and Apple were "not a concern," though the alliance was watching them with interest.

"There's a lot of curiosity about" what they might do in electric cars, he said, "but they are not saying—which is a good strategy."

Those companies bring "a lot of attention, which makes our business more exciting," he suggested, and could pose a "good challenge."

Kandi electric car (Image: Kandi Technologies Group)

Enlarge Photo

Responding to a question from a Middle Eastern journalist, Ghosn said some states in the region had approached the company about selling electric cars there.

But, he said, "I don't think we have a plan" to do that, having agreed with local partners that "it's not a good idea" due to the challenges of extreme climates and batteries that today are "very sensitive" to temperature.

You can follow all the photos and vehicles from last week's show by visiting our New York Auto Show news page.

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Source: Very cheap, low-range electric cars key for China, India: Nissan CEO Ghosn

Is Dyson Working On An Electric Car?

The internet is filled with rumors this week that suggest British entrepreneur James Dyson may be preparing to launch an electric car company to compete with Tesla, Chevrolet, Nissan, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes, Ford, Jaguar, and Rolls Royce, not to mention start-ups like Faraday Future, NextEV, Atieva, Apple, Google, 2050 Motors, and Edison Destiny.

The news is contained in a report prepared by England's Infrastructure and Projects Administration entitled National InfrastructureDelivery Plan 2016–2021. The report says the British government is prepared to allocate $250 million to Dyson to develop "a new battery electric vehicle at their headquarters in Malmesbury, Wiltshire." According to The Guardian, the government is also providing another $21,000,000 to "support research and development for battery technology at their site in Malmesbury." Skeptics may scoff that $21,000,000 is a drop in the bucket, considering that laboratories, universities, and corporations around the world are spending billions each year for precisely the same purpose.

The Guardian article goes on to say, "Dyson recently reported profits up 20% in 2015, driven by strong growth in China, and said it plans to invest £1bn in battery technology over the next five years. Last October, Dyson bought solid-state battery company, Sakti3, for $90m, which founder Sir James Dyson said had 'developed a breakthrough in battery technology'."

Sakti3, you may recall, claims to have invented a solid state lithium ion battery that has double the power density of convention batteries. Last year at the White House, Sakti3 CEO Ann Marie Sastry told President Obama the batteries would first go into household appliances and consumer electronics. After that, she said, "the sky's the limit," according to a report in Quartz. The magazine goes on to say, "Sastry has yet to publicly release a sample or disclose detailed data on a commercial battery of any size, let alone one capable of powering an electric car—or even a vacuum cleaner."

The Guardian says "Dyson, 68, has a long history of inventions. He designed the Rotork Sea Truck, a fast cargo boat in 1970, which has been used by the military and is still sold today. In 1974, he designed the Ballbarrow, a barrow with a ball replacing the wheel, having been frustrated by wheelbarrows getting stuck in mud on a building site.

"His breakthrough was the bagless vacuum cleaner, which was inspired by air cyclones used in sawmills to suck up sawdust. Since then, he has created bladeless fans and the Airblade hand dryer. Many of Dyson's devices use small, light and efficient electric motors developed over 10 years by his company, which may find application in developing a new electric car."

Two years ago, when Formula One began a new era featuring advanced turbo-hybrid engines, 4 time world champion Sebastien Vettel sniffed that driving the new cars was "like driving a vacuum cleaner." If Dyson is succesful, the electric cars of the future may be more closely related to vacuum cleaners than Vettel could have possibly imagined.

Photo Credit: Samuel M. Lvingston, some rights reserved

Tags: battery research, Dyson, electric car, Sakti3

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: Is Dyson Working On An Electric Car?

Newest Tesla electric will aim at middle market

NEW YORK: Tesla is set to unveil the Model 3, its long-anticipated pitch to middle class drivers and a key component in founder Elon Musk's vision to mainstream the electric car.

Tesla Motors, until now a purveyor of luxurious all-electric cars with equally luxurious price-tags, plans to sell the Model 3 for $35,000, half the base price of the flagship Model S.

inRead invented by Teads The Model 3 will be unveiled at Tesla's Design Studio in Hawthorne, California, on March 31.

Now only putting out 50,000 cars a year, Tesla plans to use the Model 3 to turn itself into a mainstream automaker selling 500,000 electrics annually by 2020.

Analysts say the new car is critical to Tesla at a time when cheap gasoline is challenging all green cars, and as rival General Motors stakes its claim on the electric vehicle middle market with its new Chevrolet Bolt.

"The Model 3 is really the measure if Tesla is going to make it long-term as a car company," said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at the auto industry website Edmunds.com.

"If they want to bring the EV to the mass market they need the Model 3 to be successful."

The Model 3 will be about 20 percent shorter than the S, placing it in the same segment as the Audi A4. It will also have four-wheel drive, according to people close to the matter.

The car is expected to be able to travel up to 300 miles (500 kilometers) without being recharged, depending on the battery system chosen, and will include modern safety systems such as Autopilot.

The first Model 3s are to be delivered by the end of 2017 in the US, and 2018 in Europe. Consumers can pre-order the vehicles starting March 31 for a deposit of $1,000 or 1,000 euros ($1,100).

Tesla launched its electric car campaign in 2008 Roadster sports car, constructed on the chassis of a Lotus. It then moved into luxury vehicles with Model S, followed by the Model X crossover.

The Model 3 is the logical next step.

"This is their chance to prove that they are not just a specialized niche automaker, but actually a long-term volume automaker," said Karl Brauer, analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

"They have to establish that they can build a high-quality volume vehicle."

The group also must demonstrate that it has learned the lessons of past launches, which were marred by significant delays, as when the difficulties with the gull wing doors pushed back the timeframe on the Model X.

Singapore man buys Tesla in Hong Kong and brings it home

New all-wheel-drive versions of the Tesla Model S car are lined up for test drives in Hawthorne, California in this file photo from October 9, 2014.

The electric sedan is able to park itself and sense dangerous situations.

People take pictures of a Tesla Model S car, displayed at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show November 20, 2013

A member of the media test drives a Tesla Motors Inc. Model S car equipped with Autopilot in Palo Alto, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015.

The new Tesla Model X P90D.

The car was unveiled at the 86th International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, March 1, 2016.

In this September 29, 2015 file photo, the Tesla Model X is presented during a launch event in Femont, California.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk introduces the falcon wing door on the Model X electric sports-utility vehicles during a presentation in Fremont, California September 29, 2015.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk introduces the falcon wing door on the Model X electric sports-utility vehicles during a presentation in Fremont, California September 29, 2015.

Reuters, Tesla, AFP

New all-wheel-drive versions of the Tesla Model S car are lined up for test drives in Hawthorne, California in this file photo from October 9, 2014.

The electric sedan is able to park itself and sense dangerous situations.

People take pictures of a Tesla Model S car, displayed at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show November 20, 2013

A member of the media test drives a Tesla Motors Inc. Model S car equipped with Autopilot in Palo Alto, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015.

The new Tesla Model X P90D.

The car was unveiled at the 86th International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, March 1, 2016.

In this September 29, 2015 file photo, the Tesla Model X is presented during a launch event in Femont, California.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk introduces the falcon wing door on the Model X electric sports-utility vehicles during a presentation in Fremont, California September 29, 2015.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk introduces the falcon wing door on the Model X electric sports-utility vehicles during a presentation in Fremont, California September 29, 2015.

Reuters, Tesla, AFP

BOLT WILL BE FIRST

Tesla also faces direct competition from the soon to be released 200-mile range Chevrolet Bolt, which will have a one-year head start on the Model 3 in getting the attention of consumers looking for a moderately priced EV.

Darin Gesse, product marketing manager for Chevrolet's electrification division, admitted "There is a cachet and a brand image" at Tesla.

Nevertheless, he said, "We also know Chevrolet has a brand image. We have shown that our customers have been the most happy in the country. Our battery is solid. We have confidence."

Brauer said the Bolt's earlier debut could pose problems for Tesla.

"If it would have hit now, it would have been a game-changer as first to market," Brauer said. "Now it's going to be the second to arrive after the Bolt."

Cheap gas is also a challenge, as more consumers opt for SUVs and other large vehicles.

In February, only about three percent of the 1.3 million cars sold in the US we re green cars, according to data from hybridcars.com

"Gas prices are still down," Caldwell said. "I think you will get the Tesla fans, but you may not have a massive mainstream market."

Source: Newest Tesla electric will aim at middle market

Audi A3 e-tron, Renault Zoe, & BMW i3 Top German Electric Car Sales In February

Cars

Published on March 26th, 2016 | by James Ayre

March 26th, 2016 by James Ayre 

Originally published on EV Obsession.

The top position for electric vehicle sales in Germany for the month of February 2016 was, surprisingly, held by the Audi A3 e-tron, with 210 units sold during the month in the market. This was followed closely by the Renault ZOE — with 201 units moved in the country during February — according to new figures from the blog EV Sales.

That brings the total number of Renault ZOEs sold in Germany in 2016 (through February) up to 335 — just above the Volkswagen Golf GTE, with 324 sales for the year so far. The Volkswagen Golf GTE claimed the fifth position for sales in February 2016, with 153 units sold during the month. Here are the charts and a table for all the numbers and more perspective:

Model Feb 2016 YTD 2016 Feb Market Share YTD 2016 Market Share Audi A3 e-tron 210 288 11% 8% Audi Q7 e-tron 123 166 6% 5% Audi R8 e-tron 1 1 0% 0% BMW 225xe 26 84 1% 2% BMW 330e 43 43 2% 1% BMW i3 171 320 9% 9% BMW i8 19 35 1% 1% BMW X5 xDrive40e 32 69 2% 2% Citroen Berlingo EV* 5 10 0% 0% Citroen C-Zero 7 15 0% 0% Ford C-Max Energi 2 12 0% 0% Kia Soul EV 15 52 1% 2% Mitsubishi i-MiEV 0 5 0% 0% Mercedes B250e 30 50 2% 1% Mercedes 350e* 97 196 5% 6% Mercedes GLE 500e 58 87 3% 3% Mercedes S500 PHEV* 25 40 1% 1% Opel Ampera 1 5 0% 0% Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 91 193 5% 6% Nissan Leaf 164 240 8% 7% Nissan e-NV200 12 20 1% 1% Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid 47 81 2% 2% Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid 22 35 1% 1% Porsche 918 Spyder 2 4 0% 0% Peugeot iOn 6 11 0% 0% Renault Fluence ZE 15 30 1% 1% Renault Zoe 201 335 10% 10% Smart Electric Drive 14 34 1% 1% Tesla Model S 91 129 5% 4% Tesla Model X 0 1 0% 0% Toyota Prius PHEV 5 9 0% 0% Volvo XC90 T8 60 103 3% 3% Volvo V60 T8 7 47 0% 1% VW e-Golf 69 113 3% 3% VW e-Up! 70 97 4% 3% VW Golf GTE 153 324 8% 9% VW Passat GTE 83 146 4% 4% Total 1977 3430 100% 100% PHEV Total 1107 1968 56% 57% 100% Electric Total 870 1462 44% 43%  

The third position, as you can see, was taken by the BMW i3, with 171 units sold during the month. The BMW i3 also currently holds the third slot for cumulative 2016 sales — with 320 units sold so far this year in Germany. Worth noting is that a large portion of the BMW i3s sold were of the range-extended version, rather than the pure-electric (104 vs 67).

Audi A3 e-tron sales for the year now rest at 288 units. The Nissan LEAF followed close behind with 164 units sold during February (the fourth sales position), and 240 for the year to date (the fifth sales position).

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the German market, though, is the large number of models there — 37!

The EV Sales blog provides more perspective on the market:

In a market up 78% YoY, the EV Share is still at 0.74%, consumers are probably waiting for the incentives policy to be finally approved, maybe then the market share finally can reach the symbolic 1% barrier.

After the Kia Soul EV stealing the show in 2015, the German EV market is back at its usual self, with various candidates to Number One and several changes in the top positions, this time it was the Renault Zoe turn to seat at the Leader's Throne, but the local runners are really close, especially the VW Golf GTE (#2, 11 units behind) and BMW i3 (#3, 15 units less), so the french hatch has to keep a close eye on the rearview mirror, if it wants to keep the #1 position a little longer.

…Looking at the manufacturers ranking, Volkswagen continues in the Top Spot, with 20% share (Down 1%), followed by BMW (16%, down 2%) and in Third we now have Audi (13%), benefitting from a positive month of the A3 e-Tron and the aforementioned Q7's e-Tron push.

As mentioned above, Germany's electric vehicle (EV) market is not seeming too impressive, but with the expected implementation of substantial EV incentives in the near future, this could change relatively rapidly.  Get CleanTechnica's 1st (completely free) electric car report → "Electric Cars: What Early Adopters & First Followers Want." Come attend CleanTechnica's 1st "Cleantech Revolution Tour" event → in Berlin, Germany, April 9–10. Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter. 

Tags: audi, Audi A3 e-tron, Audi Q7 e-tron, Audi R8 e-Tron, BMW, BMW 225xe, BMW 330e, BMW i3, bmw i8, BMW X5 xDrive40e, Citroen Berlingo EV, daimler, EV sales, Ford, Ford C-MAX Energi, ford focus electric, Germany, germany EV sales, kia, Kia Soul EV, Mercedes, Mercedes 350e, Mercedes B-Class Electric, Mercedes S500 PHEV, Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi Outlander Plug In Hybrid, Nissan, nissan e-NV200, Nissan Leaf, Opel Ampera, Peugeot, peugeot ion, Porsche, Porsche 918 Spyder, Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, renault, renault fluence ze, Renault Twizy, renault zoe, Smart Electric Drive, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Toyota, toyota prius PHEV, volkswagen, volkswagen e up!, Volkswagen e-Golf, Volkswagen Golf GTE, Volkswagen Passat GTE, volvo, Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid, Volvo XC90, Volvo XC90 T8

About the Author

James Ayre 's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy. You can follow his work on Google+.

Source: Audi A3 e-tron, Renault Zoe, & BMW i3 Top German Electric Car Sales In February

India to Have 100 Percent Electric Vehicles by 2030: Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI: Will vehicles no longer need petroleum products to run? The government plans to make India a nation with 100 percent electric vehicles and is already considering making electric cars available for zero down payment.

At a programme organised by CII Young India, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said India can become the first nation where 100 percent vehicles will be run on electricity, adding the government is trying to arrange funds for such an initiative.

Goyal said that a group has been formed under Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin  Gadkari. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar would also be a part of this group. He said that discussions would be held in the first week of April on whether India can become a nation with 100 percent electricity run vehicles by 2030.

Would it be possible to effectively utilize the savings accumulated by the consumers by switching to a less expensive alternative – electricity?  The government says that people would be able to buy an electric car from the money that they would save by not having to buy petrol and diesel.

He said that the government is considering whether electric cars can be made available at a zero down payment. Citing the example of LED lights, Goyal said that because of the huge requirement for LED lights, the government has been able to bring down the purchase price to Rs. 64.41, which in February 2014 used to be Rs. 310.

Mentioning electricity bills, he said there is no need to increase the fee, adding one just needs to be smart and effectively utilize the electricity. He further called for an open minded approach and an honest thinking.

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Source: India to Have 100 Percent Electric Vehicles by 2030: Piyush Goyal

Electric vehicles for all by 2030: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi: Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that the government is working towards a model which will ensure every car user in the country could have an electric vehicle by 2030.

The scheme, which is being studied by a working group under union minister Nitin Gadkari, aims to provide electric cars on zero down payment for which people can pay out of their savings on expensive fossil fuels, for becoming 100% electric vehicle nation by 2030.

India can become the first country of its size which will run 100%of electric vehicles. We are trying to make this programme self financing. We don't need one rupee support from the government. We don't need one rupee investment from the people of India," power minister Piyush Goyal said at an event organised by CII Young India here.

Elaborating further, he said, "We are working (on the scheme). Can we actually give electric car for free (zero down payment) and people can pay for that out of the savings on the petroleum products. Innovation is possible, it just needs an open mind. You need to think of scale and be honest." The minister informed that a small working group under the leadership of road minister Nitin Gadkari has been created with oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan and environment minister Prakash Javadekar on its board.

He said, "We are meeting in first week of April and see (if) India can be 100%on electric vehicles by 2030. We are trying to see if we can monetise the savings then you will have to use cheaper electricity for charging your cars."

"We are thinking of scale. We are thinking of leading the world rather than following the world. India will be first largest country in the world to think of that scale." Goyal cited the example of LED lights where through the bulk tendering, the government has been able to reduce the procurement price of these bulbs to Rs 64.41 in January this year from the market rate of Rs 310 in February 2014.

India's automobile industry is the sixth largest in the world and accounts for 22% of the country's total manufacturing output.

The sector is a vital component of the government's plan to raise the share of manufacturing in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) from about 15% now to 25% by 2022.

The government had started Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme last year under which it has already provided over 8.32 crore LED bulbs to families through power distribution companies at an installment of Rs 10 per month for each bulb.

After the LED bulb distribution scheme, power ministry is working on a similar programme under which it will sell energy-efficient fans and air conditioners at prices much lower than market rates on EMI. About any power tariff he said, "We don't need to increase any tariff in the country. We just need to work smart and bring technology and India can be powerhouse of affordable energy across the country. Cross subsidy across the state can handle the issue."

On the negative subsidy or payment of premium in recently concluded third round of gas auction for stranded power projects (Saps) on Sunday, Goyal said, "There is no need of PSDF now. We have been successful in our mission. Now, they need zero support (subsidy)."

(PTI Inputs)

Source: Electric vehicles for all by 2030: Piyush Goyal

Toyota Mirai manga: hydrogen fuel-cell beats electric cars, plug-in hybrids

Japanese manga comic about Toyota Mirai [from Motorfan: New Model Special Edition issue 502]

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Manga are comics created in Japan, conforming to a style set more than 100 years ago and still very much a part of popular culture.

While they may look like no more than light entertainment, they're widely read by people of all ages—and sometimes used to market commercial products.

A year ago, one was even used to explain the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car before it was launched in its home market of Japan.

DON'T MISS: 2016 Toyota Mirai: First Drive Of Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Sedan (Dec 2014)

The excerpts you see here come from Japanese auto aficionado magazine Motorfan: New Model Special Edition issue 502, which carries a publication date of January 4th, 27.

Motorfan: New Model Special Edition issue 502, covering Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle

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That's not a misprint. In a throwback the West hasn't seen since ancient Rome, Japanese companies often use dates based on the year of the current emperor's reign.

This doesn't just apply to publications; this dating system may be used on high-tech components, too.

Motorfan NMSE devotes each issue to an upcoming vehicle; issue 502 happens to be about the Mirai.

Tucked into 80 pages of introductory photos, renderings, specifications, and text is—what else?—a short manga that chronicles the story of a fictionalized Mirai early adopter.

CHECK OUT: Toyota Mirai Spawning Entire Family Of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Models?

We're pleased to translate for its readers' merriment, thanks to the heroic patience of Mrs. Klippenstein.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We have reproduced only two sections of the first page of this four-page comic, under the U.S. doctrine of fair use. Click on the Motorfan NMSE link to view the entire manga.]

The characters in the Mirai comic are adapted from Doraemon, a popular kids' comic book, television show, and merchandising empire.

In the comics, Doraemon—a robot cat from the 22nd century—befriends Nobita, a hapless young boy who's occasionally teased by rich kid Suneo.

Japanese manga comic about Toyota Mirai [from Motorfan: New Model Special Edition issue 502]

Enlarge Photo

In this comic, Mizuemon—a robotic, um, thermos bottle?—helps Sobita, a hapless middle-aged man who's teased by next-door neighbor Soneo.

Reminder: Japanese comics are read right-to-left, then top-to-bottom: basically, the mirror image of the way you'd read an English comic book.

Note that a clearly recognizable Mirai triumphs over what is clearly a battery-electric Nissan Leaf, as well as a range-extended BMW i3 REx and, surprisingly, Toyota's own Prius Plug-In Hybrid.

Here's our best effort at a translation of the entire manga.

Source: Toyota Mirai manga: hydrogen fuel-cell beats electric cars, plug-in hybrids

Are electric vehicles next for vacuum maker Dyson?

Dyson's latest floor cleaner, the Small Ball upright vacuum.

Chris Monroe/CNET

According to the Guardian, a UK government document may have unintentionally outed high-end small appliance maker Dyson's plans to design an electric vehicle.

The public document, titled the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016-2021, details everything from proposed road construction projects to science and research programs. The Guardian reported yesterday that the 113-page report disclosed that, "The government is funding Dyson to develop a new battery electric vehicle at their headquarters in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. This will secure £174m of investment in the area, creating over 500 jobs, mostly in engineering." Oops.

Those details are nowhere to be found in the plan now, though, with only a brief and significantly more obscure mention of Dyson on page 83 that says, "The government is providing a grant of up to £16m to Dyson to support research and development for battery technology at their site in Malmesbury [Dyson H Q]."

Dyson definitely hasn't shied away from prototypes in the past. Dyson.com mentions the 5,127 concepts its founder, James Dyson, completed before he was ready to introduce his bagless vacuum cleaner to the world. Since then, Dyson has expanded well beyond vacuum sales to include other luxury small appliances from desktop heaters and fans to air purifiers, humidifiers and even robot vacuums -- all of which fetch high prices and boast efficient, state-of-the-art design.

Not only that, but Dyson is already well positioned for new projects, with reports that the manufacturer has sunk billions of pounds into R&D in recent years for everything from robotics research to digital motors and noise-canceling tech. Most recently, the manufacturers made claims that it would be releasing 100 new products in four new categories over the next four years -- some of which are supposedly slated for outdoor use. An electric vehicle, perhaps?

Dyson is keeping quiet about this news today -- "Unfortunately, we're not able to comment on products that are in development," they told CNET. But we'll be sure to keep tracking the news to see if these claims happen to come true.

Source: Are electric vehicles next for vacuum maker Dyson?

Massachusetts Bill Would Add Benefits For Electric Car Drivers

Massachusetts already leads most other states when it comes to offering incentives to electric car drivers. For instance, it has an rebate program in place the pays up to $2,500 to Massachusetts residents who purchase a qualifying electric car. Now, it may go further if a bill pending in the state legislature gets approved.

According to Boston.com, Massachusetts is one of 7 states who have agreed to get 3.3 million zero emission vehicles on the road by 2025. The Bay State's share of that commitment is 300,000 vehicles, but it has a long way to go to meet that goal. In order to increase interest in electric cars, the Joint Committee on Transportation is working on a bill that would allow electric car drivers to use the highway occupancy vehicles lanes on all state highways. In addition, it would increase access to charging stations in the state and require information about charging power and compatibility of each station to be posted online.

Here's something EV advocates can cheer about. The legislation would empower local cities and towns to impose fines of up to $50 on idiots who park their internal combustion powered cars in spaces reserved for an electric car. It also allows those cars to be towed at the owner's expense. That's something EV drivers will really appreciate.

Rep. Frank Smizik, who chairs the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, tells Boston.com the measure is necessary to curtail carbon emissions in the state. He notes that the transportation sector is responsible for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. Private vehicles are responsible for the majority of those emissions.

"Electric vehicles have made enormous technological advancements over the past decade, and can now compete economically and functionally with traditional motor vehicles," says Smizik. "Many in the legislature, including myself, recognize this and believe we can consider EVs in our emissions reductions strategy. With decreased gas prices, a 10 percent increase in vehicle miles traveled over the last 20 years, and a carpool rate below the national average, we must address personal vehicle use directly as part of our transportation emissions reduction strategy."

Smizik believes the proposed legislation will help Massachusetts reach its goal by expanding charging infrastructure for EVs and offering "no-cost incentives" like HOV lane access and designated parking spaces. "Massachusetts' 2025 ZEV goal is an ambitious target which can be met with a concerted effort of the state and industry," he says.

The bill, known as "An Act Promoting Electric Vehicle Adoption," would also direct the Department of Energy Resources to develop a common standard as part of the state building code for electric vehicle charging stations. The current version of the bill would only extend the new incentives to battery electric vehicles like Teslas, not to other types of alternative fuel vehicles like plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. But Smizik says he and other advocates are working to determine which types of vehicles "are most appropriate for this benefit."

Photo credit: Andrea Botkin/Flickr

Tags: electric car, electric car incentives, EV parking, HOV lane access for electric cars, Massachusetts EV incentives

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: Massachusetts Bill Would Add Benefits For Electric Car Drivers

For Carlos Ghosn, electric vehicles are the only solution

We've heard it all before, but that doesn't mean we don't enjoy listening to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn explain why he's still in favor of electric vehicles. Plus, if we've heard it a few times, imagine how many times he's had to say it. It happened again this morning at the opening breakfast for the New York Auto Show, and it was as clear and concise an explanation as you can imagine.

When asked why people aren't buying more electric vehicles, Ghosn said that there were a few factors working against EVs right now, but that, "I still think it's just a temporary slow down." He then listed the reasons why.

Ghosn started with the two-degree agreement that came out of COP21, the climate change conference in Paris last year. As the UN explained (PDF):

The goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of this century was first agreed to in Copenhagen and then by all countries at the Cancun Climate Conference in 2010. It recogni zes that climate change is already occurring, but that if we act now, we can avoid the worst impacts of a changing climate.

So, with COP22, which will take place in Morocco this November, not that far away, it's time to get busy. Transportation makes up 17 percent of all CO2 emissions, Ghosn said, and "there is no way - no way - we're going to reach anything around two degrees without the substantial reduction in CO2 from the transportation system. And the only obvious, known technology which allows that is electrification."

To encourage more EV purchases, three things need to happen, in Ghosn's view. Governments need to provide more incentives (both to purchasers as well as to support infrastructure), the cost of building the darn things needs to come down, and people need to realize that climate change is real and happening.

"Governments, in order to encourage the [EV] industry, they're going to have to finally build the infrastructure."

"Obviously, there is already a lot of incentives in China, Norway, France, Japan and in the United States for electric cars, but it's going to get much bigger," he said. "That's why all the carmakers are coming with electric cars. And if they don't come with electric cars, they're coming with another technology, which is hydrogen fuel cells, which is basically also an electric car. So, if you want to see the COP22 [results], you've got to understand how much we're going to have to reduce the cost of the electric car. Governments, in order to encourage the industry to move in this direction, they're going to have to finally build the infrastructure. The main problem of electric cars is people complaining that there is no infrastructure.

"Today, nobody asks question about how much range you have in a car you buy, because there are gasoline stations all over the place. But if you go to a country where there is no gasoline station, well, you're going to be very, very careful when buyin g a car. We have the exact same situation today with electric cars. So, [until] development of the infrastructure, reducing the cost, and waiting until the emissions restrictions come to the table, and you're gonna see the size of the effort that we're going to have to do. For me, the only viable, existing technology that allows that is electrification and, particularly, electric cars. Fuel cells are another option, but if you think we have a problem with infrastructure of electric cars, imagine the hydrogen stations."

Related Video:

Source: For Carlos Ghosn, electric vehicles are the only solution

Electric Vehicles & Hybrids No Longer Just Gas Sippers

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NEW YORK (AP) – When Toyota aired a Super Bowl television ad featuring a surprisingly quick Prius gas-electric hybrid eluding police, it marked a turning point for the auto industry.

For years, automakers pushed fuel efficiency to sell hybrid and electric vehicles. Now, in an era of cheap gasoline, the message is: These cars are faster and quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. And, yes, you still save on fuel.

"They've graduated out of the class of something that's a bit of an oddity to drive," says Mike O'Brien, vice president of product planning for Hyundai. "It's all about making these cars better."

Until now, hybrids and electrics have largely appealed to the environmentally-conscious crowd. The vehicles cost thousands of dollars extra, and although drivers eventually recouped their money in fuel savings, the vehicles lacked the power and handling of gas-powered rivals. Electrics also suffered from driver concern that the battery could run out of juice on a trip.

Now, the tide is slowly turning. General Motors and Tesla will bring electric vehicles to market next year priced around $30,000, including a $7,500 federal tax credit. Battery range has improved significantly, experts expect gasoline prices to eventually climb higher, and the advent of autonomous vehicles favors motors powered by electricity over gas.

At the New York International Auto Show this week, Hyundai will join Toyota in showing off new electric and hybrid vehicles. Hyundai will unveil battery, gas-electric hybrid and plug-in versions of a new car called the Ioniq, while Toyota will show a plug-in Prius that can run on electricity alone, as well as both gas and electricity. The new Prius has an increased battery range.

The Prius hybrid, powered by both gas and electric motors, started the alternative fuel movement in the U.S. in 2000. Toyota deliberately made it look different than other cars, knowing that buyers wanted to make a statement about being environmentally friendly. Other companies set their green cars apart as well.

Even though sales grew as manufacturers added models, they never really caught on, partly because of the improved fuel economy of gas-powered vehicles. At their peak in 2013, with gas averaging $3.50 per gallon, Americans bought only 341,000 hybrids and electrics, about 2.2 percent of total U.S. car sales, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Many companies spent millions developing the cars, taking losses to meet government fuel economy standards that gradually increase and require the new-car fleet to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

As gas prices fell below $2 per gallon, sales of hybrids and electrics dropped further. Last year, automakers had 16 hybrid and electric models on sale, but sales sank to just over 274,000.

All of this makes for a bad environment to roll out more hybrids and electrics. But automakers will press on, now trying to sell them on style, acceleration, handling and reliability.

"It looks better. It drives better. People can have more fun behind the wheel, but it still has new technologies and safety in it, and it also gets the benefits of a hybrid," Bill Fay, Toyota's U.S. general manager, said of the Prius.

As a power source, electricity outpaces gasoline in just about every area, says Karl Brauer, senior auto analyst for Kelley Blue Book. Advancements have made batteries smaller, increased their storage capacity and brought prices down. Electric motors can take off faster than gas engines, and hybrids can power wheels with both electric and gas motors for better acceleration. Electrics also are far quieter. And with fewer moving parts, they're more reliable, he said.

Yet at $2 per gallon, it would take more than 10 years to recoup the $3,720 price difference between a base model Toyota Camry hybrid and its four-cylinder gas-engine counterpart. But that's not always a fair comparison, said Stephanie Brinley, senior analyst for IHS Automotive. Hybrids often come with more equipment and are comparable to better-equipped, pricier models, she said.

The coming debuts of the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3, which will have 200 miles of electric range, should make battery electric vehicles more appealing, even with cheap gas, Brauer said. A lack of charging stations, once thought to limit adoption of electrics, becomes almost moot because of the longer range, he said.

Self-driving cars, which would use electric motors that can be recharged without humans, also would boost sales.

Brauer thinks electrics and hybrids will make up more than half of U.S. sales in the next 12 years as SUVs and trucks get the new systems. Hyundai's O'Brien thinks the shift will happen sooner.

Any spike in gas prices will only help. The International Energy Agency last month predicted that oil prices will more than double by 2020 because drillers are cutting investments due to current low prices, which will eventually reduce supply.

But even with cheap oil, Mick Roberts, a 46-year-old hydrogen engineer from Lowell, Indiana, bought a 2015 Chevrolet Volt hybrid in October when gas was $2.20. He got a good deal on an outgoing model, but Roberts says he likes the smooth-shifting, quiet motor and quick acceleration. "It would be tough to go back to gas," he said.

Still, the automakers know it will take a lot of marketing to get mass adoption.

Toyota's Fay says there will be more chapters in the Prius police chase ad series, including one for the new plug-in. "The early adopters understand the differences in the technology," he said. "But with the mainstream customers, we all still have a ways to go to explain the benefits."

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Source: Electric Vehicles & Hybrids No Longer Just Gas Sippers

BYD Sells Over 4,000 Plug-In Cars In February. Year-Over-Year Growth Decreased To “Just” 95%

14 hours ago by Mark Kane

BYD plug-in electric car sales in China – January 2016

BYD Tang

February, a slow month of car sales in China, didn't provide any kind of absolute, all-time record for BYD's plug-in electric car sales.

But even the 4,297 total netted from BYD's four passenger EV models is still 95% more than year ago.  Pretty good.

Tang – 2,098

e6 – 1,105

Qin – 1,063

e5 – 31

After the first two months of 2016, BYD has nearly reached 10,000 units cumulatively, and from this point on we hope for continued, higher growth levels – hopefully to around 10,000 once again.

We are not sure about all other electric car sales in China,but just 78 Denza, 60 Venucia e30 and 12 Volvo S60L PHEVs indicates that February really was the month of celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Tags: byd, byd e5, byd e6, byd qin, BYD sales February 2016, byd tang, china, sales

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Source: BYD Sells Over 4,000 Plug-In Cars In February. Year-Over-Year Growth Decreased To "Just" 95%

Electric Vehicle Charger Market Growth at 29.38% CAGR to 2020 Driven by Governments Incentives and Subsidies

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SOURCE ReportsnReports

PUNE, India, March 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The global electric vehicle charger market report analyzes that manufacturers are focusing on developing charging infrastructure, while reducing charging time and cost. For instance, Envision Solar has invented a portable solar-powered parking space called the EV ARC (Electric Vehicle Autonomous Renewable Charger). This 9/16-foot structure consists of a parking pad and a canopy of solar panels that can charge a 21.6-kWh battery.

Complete report on electric vehicle charger market spread across 67 pages, analyzing 5 major companies and providing 39 data exhibits is now available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/508994-global-electric-vehicle-charger-market-2016-2020.html

The analysts forecast global electric vehicle charger market to grow at a CAGR of 29.38% during the period 2016-2020. Incentives and subsidies provided by governments and regulatory bodies have been driving the growth of the global electric vehicle charger market. Governments of many countries have extended financial incentives to electric vehicle buyers depending on the size of the batteries.

Emerging trends such as wireless charging are expected to aid the electric vehicle charger market growth in the coming years. Wireless technology has become the main focus area for the electric vehicle and PHEV manufacturers because of its convenience. It also helps manufacturers differentiate their products. Wireless charging also facilitates charging on the go, which is expected to increase the sale of electric vehicles. For instance, in Gumi, South Korea, electric buses are charged through in-road wireless chargers. Order a copy of Global Electric Vehicle Charger Market 2016-2020 report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=508994

The residential segment accounted for the major share of the market during 2015 and is expected to retain its market leadership until the end of 2020. Market players that cater to this segment follow economies of scale approach. Although these chargers are largely dominant by AC technology, a gradual adoption of advanced DC and wireless technology in this segment is expected to occur during the forecast period.

During 2015, the Americas dominated the electric vehicle charger market, accounting for more than 43% of the market share. The market in the Americas is mainly driven by federal efforts to reduce the dependence on oil and related products. These commitments, subsidies, and incentives provided by governments are expected electric vehicle charging infrastructure is expanding at a fast pace with investments from both the automotive industry and governments. North America is the market leader in this region.

The electric vehicle charger market is fragmented with the presence of many international and regional players. The competitive environment in this market is expected to intensify further with the growing demand for electric vehicles in the coming years. New charging technologies like solar and wireless are anticipated to play a critical role in defining the competitive scenario of this market during the forecast period.

key players in the global electric vehicle charger market: ABB Ltd., Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Plugin Now (Bosch Group), Evatran Group (Plugless), and Siemens AG. Other prominent vendors in the market are: AddÉnergie, AeroVironment, Delphi Automotive, and POD Point.

Further, the electric vehicle charger market report states that infrastructure plays a crucial role in the sale of electric and PHEV vehicles. Finding charging infrastructure remains the primary challenge for electric vehicle owners.

Another related report is Global Wireless Chargers Market 2016-2020, the analysts forecast global wireless chargers market to grow at a CAGR of 33.14% during the period 2016-2020. Increased adoption of wireless EV charging will propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. A surge in the use of power-intensive applications in electronic devices necessitates the need for wireless technology to frequently charge these devices. Browse complete report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/509027-global-wireless-chargers-market-2016-2020.html

Key players in the global wireless chargers market: Duracell Powermat, Fulton Innovation, Qualcomm and WiTricity. Other prominent vendors in the market are: Anker, Delphi automotive, Energizer holding, Kube Systems, LS Cable & System, Oregon Scientific, PowerbyProxi, Pure Energy Solutions, Samsung Electronics, Texas Instruments, Wisepower and Leggett and Platt.

Explore more reports related to electric vehicle market at http://www.reportsnreports.com/tags/electric-vehicle-market-research.html  

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Source: Electric Vehicle Charger Market Growth at 29.38% CAGR to 2020 Driven by Governments Incentives and Subsidies

Electric cars, not solar panels, more likely to cut NZ carbon footprint - report

An electric vehicle could cut NZ's annual carbon emissions by up to 1.7 tonnes over the long-term.

If you want to help the environment, you are better off buying an electric car than putting solar panels on your house.

That's the finding of a report by Wellington-based Concept Consulting.

It looked at the impact of electric cars and residential solar power systems on New Zealand's carbon footprint, and has prompted the Parliamentary Commission for the Environment to call for people to take heed.

In New Zealand, solar generation will just replace some of our renewable energy generation.

The report says solar panels generating power for households have less impact on carbon emissions long-term because the solar generation will end up substituting other renewable electricity generation, such as wind or hydro power.

READ MORE:* Top-secret Kiwi electric car goes into production* Spark finds new use for phone boxes as car charging sites* NZ switch to electric vehicles stalls after Nissan pulls plug on Leaf sales 

"This is different to what happens in most other countries. It is because most of New Zealand's electricity is generated from renewable sources (hydro, wind and geothermal), and the fact that large-scale renewables also represent the least cost option for future electricity supply in New Zealand – something that is not the case for most other countries," the report said.

Electric cars would usually be charged during times when there is less demand for electricity, the report says.

"Looking out even further, we expect solar photovoltaic (PV) cells to modestly increase the need for fossil-fuelled generation, and therefore add to electricity sector emissions. This counter-intuitive result is because solar PV generates more power in summer than winter - the opposite of New Zealand's power demand needs."

"To fill a widening gap between winter power demand and supply associated with high PV uptake, New Zealand will need more power from controllable sources that operate for only part of the time.

"We expect this to be met mainly from operation of fossil-fuelled power stations, as existing hydro stations are limited in their ability to further increase the amount of water they store in summer to release in winter."

But electric vehicles could largely eliminate carbon emissions from petrol and diesel.

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Concept says an electric vehicle could cut annual carbon emissions by up to 1.7 tonnes over the long-term. The vehicles would be charged from low-emission power sources in New Zealand and usually at off-peak times, such as overnight.

In 2014, the Green Party suggested the Government should offer low interest loans to homeowners wanting to buy solar panels.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has been criticised for his lack of a clear electric vehicle policy. A package of measures to increase uptake had been planned by the end of last year. 

 - Stuff

Source: Electric cars, not solar panels, more likely to cut NZ carbon footprint - report

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric to offer 110 miles of range: company

2017 Hyundai Ioniq (European spec), 2016 Geneva Motor Show

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As electric-car range moves above the 100-mile mark in EPA ratings, one of the more interesting models to watch will be the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric.

That car uses essentially the same 28-kilowatt-hour battery pack as the low-volume Kia Soul EV, a blocky tall wagon that's rated at 93 miles.

Can the slimmer, sleeker Ioniq Electric match or beat the latest 2016 Nissan Leaf, rated at 107 miles?

DON'T MISS: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Electric: more notes from Geneva Motor Show

According to Hyundai engineer Kim Choong, the answer is yes: the Ioniq electric car is expected to achieve a U.S. range rating of 110 miles.

That affirmation comes from Automotive News reporter Hans Greimel, who attended the South Korean debut of the 2017 Ioniq range at Hyundai's technology center in Seogwipo.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric (European spec), 2016 Geneva Motor Show

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A year or so from now, the Ioniq Electric will join the latest Leaf and also an updated 2017 BMW i3 with ranges over 100 miles.

Of course, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV has been promised to deliver a 200-mile rating, which will reset the bar—as will the Tesla Model 3, also with a 200-mile promise, that is to be unveiled Thursday evening.

ALSO SEE: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Lineup Specs, Details Emerge For Geneva Motor Show (Video)

Other details about the Ioniq Electric that emerged from the range debut include paddle shifters that let drivers choose from one of four levels of regenerative braking.

That feature pioneered on the low-volume Cadillac ELR, and was extended to the 2016 Chevy Volt; it will also be used on the Bolt EV.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric (European spec), 2016 Geneva Motor Show

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The same effect can be achieved in the Nissan Leaf by shifting into the "B" or low range, which increases regeneration.

The BMW i3, on the other hand, comes standard with regenerative braking that's strong enough to bring the car to a complete stop when the driver lifts off the accelerator.

CHECK OUT: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq: Dark-Horse Competitor For Prius AND Bolt EV?

Hyundai and its sister company Kia together have aggressive plans to become the world's second highest-volume maker of green cars by 2020, after Toyota.

Each company now offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of their high-volume mid-size sedans, the Sonata and Optima respectively.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (European spec), 2016 Geneva Motor Show

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Kia has the Soul EV, and Hyundai has the low-volume Tucson Fuel Cell and the upcoming Ioniq range, which will include Hybrid, Plug-In (hybrid), and Electric versions.

Doing better on fuel economy in the Ioniq Hybrid than the Prius, Hyundai senior vice-president Ki-Sang Lee told reporter Greimel, "has really big meaning to me."

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Source: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric to offer 110 miles of range: company

Porsche 918 Spyder Technology To Trickle Down To Standard C-Segment PHEV Cars

Porsche 918 Spyder Technology To Trickle Down To Standard C-Segment PHEV Cars

9 hours ago by Mark Kane

GKN brings supercar hybrid technology to mass market

Porsche 918 Spyder

GKN Driveline announced that developed an eAxle module for C-segment plug-in hybrids, using its experience with previous eAxle for Porsche 918 Spyder, BMW i8 and Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine.

The new eAxle is being prepared for the mass market so between the lines we read that there must be a new plug-in hybrid in the works.

GKN Driveline said that we could expect 65 kW of power from the electric part (on top of around 100 kW from the engine).

GKN Driveline eAxle module:

65 kW (pure-electric mode)

up to 2000 Nm torque (wheels)

gear ratio of 12.5

weight 20.9 kg

"The new eAxle is an evolution of the system GKN designed for the Porsche 918 Spyder. The single-speed design minimises weight to just 20.9kg while optimising efficiency, installation space and costs for mass-market vehicle applications. A two-staged geartrain with a gear ratio of 12.5 provides up to 2000Nm torque and 65kW power for a dynamic pure-electric mode and balanced wheel torques for all-wheel drive mode. An electromechanically actuated dog clutch disconnects the electric motor at higher vehicle speeds and an open coupling minimises rotating losses when disengaged. Precision engineering of the gear teeth and other acoustic measures ensure noise emissions are minimal.

BMW i8

Development by GKN is helping move the balance of power in vehicles from internal combustion towards electric drives. A typical C-segment plug-in hybrid could now have an engine output of around 100kW, with a GKN eAxle supplying an additional 65kW of electrical power. The eAxle can improve 0-100kph acceleration times by several seconds, provide a useable pure electric range and reduce a vehicle's CO2 emission rating to less than 50g/km.

Front-wheel drive vehicle platforms can integrate GKN's compact, lightweight single-speed eAxle modules into the vehicle's rear assembly to provide a combination of plug-in hybrid and electric all-wheel drive functionalities."

GKN Automotive President of Engineering Peter Moelgg said:

"GKN leads the industry in eAxle technology and we want to make plug-in hybrids a simple upgrade for consumers and manufacturers. With our systems now proven in halo hybrid sports car programmes and premium SUVs, automakers are working with us to launch eAxle technology in a much broader range of vehicles. Innovations by our hardware and software engineers will place the performance and efficiency benefits of plug-ins within the reach of many more motorists."

Rainer Link, GKN Driveline Managing Director of eDrive Systems, said:

"GKN's position as the only hybrid technology supplier that can also deliver complete all-wheel drive systems makes us an ideal partner on these programmes. Our vehicle integration teams can support automakers in the tuning of their vehicle's eAWD mode, ensuring that the torque delivery results in the right front-rear balance and delivers the brand's trademark driving characteristics."

Tags: bmw i8, GKN Driveline, porsche 918 spyder, Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

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Source: Porsche 918 Spyder Technology To Trickle Down To Standard C-Segment PHEV Cars