South Korea Unveils Plan to Rev Up Sales of Greener Cars

Updated Dec. 8, 2015 12:15 a.m. ET pro badge

SEOUL—South Korea on Tuesday unveiled a five-year plan to drastically increase the number of environmentally-friendly cars on its streets, as auto makers' emissions come under intensifying scrutiny globally.

The government aims to ensure that hybrids, electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell cars account for 20% of all new cars sold in the country by 2020, up sharply from the current 2%, according to the plan by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

The moves are part of Korea's wider schemes to cut greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by 3.8 million tons, or 11%, from business-as-usual levels over the next five years, the ministry said in a statement.

Electric-vehicle adoption has been relatively slow in Korea compared with other advanced markets because of the high price tags, the lack of charging infrastructure and low consumer perceptions of such cars as a personal transport model.

Korea has tried to boost electric-vehicle adoption by providing consumer subsidies and mandating the purchase of vehicles without internal-combustion engines for at least 25% of the government's new vehicle fleet starting this year.

In a symbolic project to have more green cars on the road, the country has said it aims to replace all 370,000 vehicles on the southern resort island of Jeju with electric ones by 2030.

The ministry said Tuesday it will spend 150 billion won until 2020 to help local auto makers improve the driving range of battery-powered cars and lower retail prices of fuel-cell electric vehicles.

Also included in the proposed measures is the installation of 1,400 public electric-vehicle charging stations and 80 similar facilities for fuel-cell cars throughout the nation by 2020.

The announcement comes as car makers have sought to introduce greener cars to meet stiff regulatory targets, with emissions under increased scrutiny after Volkswagen AG VLKAY -3.29 % admitted in September to using software to manipulate tests.

Kia Motors Corp. 000270 -1.48 % , a sister firm of Hyundai Motor Co. HYMLY -0.01 % , said last month it aims to expand its green car lineup to 11 models by 2020 from four now to improve its image and meet tightening emissions and fuel-economy regulations.

The two companies earlier this year announced 11.3 trillion won ($9.6 billion) of investment in eco-friendly car projects until 2018, to help elevate their position in the green vehicle market, which is currently led by Japanese car makers such as Toyota Motor Corp. TM -2.11 %

Investment bank Barclays BCS -2.37 % expects the global electric-vehicle market to grow to $12.4 billion in 2020 from $4.3 billion in 2014.

Hyundai, the world's fifth-largest auto maker when combined with Kia, plans to triple its number of fuel-efficient cars to 22 over the next five years to address concerns about the two companies' weak green track record and competitiveness in fuel economy.

Amid the global auto industry trend toward more eco-friendly vehicles, the Korean duo's carbon dioxide emissions were higher in 2014 than the previous year, raising the possibility that they may lose ground in the effort to meet tough regulatory targets, particularly in Europe, by the end of the decade.

The European Union has some of the most stringent environmental targets and wants car makers to achieve average emissions of 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer by 2021. Car makers that fail to meet the target will face fines of 95 euros per gram of carbon dioxide above the limit, multiplied by the number of cars they sell.

Lee Hyeoun-dong, director, Eco Engineering group at Hyundai Mobis Co. 012330 -0.84 % —the auto-parts unit of Hyundai—said in an interview last week that the companies will be able to meet that goal.

"Meeting that goal could be a matter of product mix because smaller cars emit a smaller amount of gases," said Mr. Lee. "We're also going to adopt green technology across all our fleet in the near future."

Write to In-Soo Nam at In-Soo.Nam@wsj.com

Source: South Korea Unveils Plan to Rev Up Sales of Greener Cars

Porche charging up to take on Tesla, will launch new electric sports car

Porche's Mission E concept car. The company said the new vehicle will reach 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and have a range of more than 500 kilometres. PHOTO: Porche

ATLANTA—Environmentalists, it seems, have a need for speed.

With Tesla Motors already pushing the boundaries of battery electric propulsion, sports car mainstay, Porche, has firmed up its plans to enter the fray with a major investment and some ambitious automotive blueprints.

Dubbed "Mission E," the company will invest approximately 1 billion euro, or $1.46 billion in an all-new assembly plant at its main manufacturing site in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The company said the project will create more than 1,000 jobs at its German campus alone, as well as many others at research and development as well as parts facilities.

"[Porche is] beginning a new chapter in the history of the sports car," Oliver Blume, chairman of the automaker's executive board, said.

Along with a new assembly plant, the company will build a new paint shop and expand its existing engine factory to support the production of the all-electric motors.

The automaker plans to use an 800-volt charger in the new vehicle, which would allow drivers to spend less time in the garage and more time on the road. PHOTO: Porche

"With Mission E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand," Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of Porche's supervisory board, said. "Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car."

Premiering at the Frankfurt International Motor Show earlier this year, Porche said its new concept vehicle will be a "technological trailblazer," combining outstanding driving performance with day-to-day practicability. The concept version of the automaker's first all-electric has power output of more than 600 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometre per hour in less than 3.5 seconds. The planned range for the performance vehicle is more than 500 kilometres.

"We are resolutely taking on the challenge of electric mobility. Even with solely battery-powered sports cars, Porsche is remaining true to its philosophy and offering our customers the sportiest and technologically most sophisticated model in this market segment," Blume said.

To support the souped-up electric, Porche plans to employ an 800-volt charger unit, which it noted is twice as powerful as today's quick-charge systems, something that could help drivers spend more time on the road and less time charging up. The firm also plans optional equipment that would allow wireless recharging using an induction coil that could be installed in a garage floor.

Scheduled to hit dealerships and city streets by the end of the decade, the new vehicle is a clear indication Porche has no intention of allowing Tesla free reign over the electric sports car market.

Source: Porche charging up to take on Tesla, will launch new electric sports car

Tech Q & A: Avoiding Facebook scams, buying an electric car

Don't fall for this Facebook scam

Q. I've been getting a lot of Facebook friend requests lately from people I don't know. What's that about?

A. Scammers like to create fake Facebook profiles and friend hundreds or thousands of people. Having access to the posts and information you make visible only to friends not only makes it easier for them to steal your ID, but it gives the fake accounts the "legitimacy" they need to launch other kinds of scams. Find out how to respond to scam friend requests. Also, tweak your Facebook settings to prevent strangers from sending you friend requests.

Tech to help jet lag

Q. I've got a business trip to Europe coming up and I'm not looking forward to the jet lag. Is there any tech that can help?

A. Jet lag happens when your body's internal clock and the surrounding environment get out of sync. You can get it back on track more quickly using light at the correct times to adjust your body's rhythms. Of course, if you do it wrong, you can make things worse. An app like Jet Lag Rooster can create your own custom jet lag prevention plan based on where and when you're traveling. Give it a try. Then read the bonus Q&A below for more apps to help with travel.

Get the same protection as the police

Q. I got in a car accident recently, and, while I wasn't at fault, I almost got blamed because of the way it looked. How can I prevent that in the future?

A. You need a car dashboard camera, or dashcam, like the ones the police use. This will record everything that happens on the road around you so you can prove who was at fault in an accident. It's also great for avoiding insurance scams where people back into you and claim you hit them. Learn some more great uses of a dashcam and features to look for.

How to buy an electric car

Q. I'm thinking of buying an electric car. Is it different from buying a regular car?

A. Electric cars do have some different considerations. You need to know the range you can travel before you have to charge, how long it takes to charge and what kind of charging facilities are in your area. Remember, if you run out of electricity, you can't just hike to the nearest station for a gas can. Get the scoop on more electric car technology and terminology to know before heading to the showroom.

Take great Christmas photos

Q. I took some family photos on Thanksgiving and they didn't turn out well. How can I improve for Christmas?

A. Start preparing now with some test shots to get a better handle on the camera settings that work best. Test during the time of day and in the lighting conditions you expect for Christmas, such as morning in the living room or afternoon in the dining room. If you can shoot at an f-stop of f2.8 or f4 and a shutter speed of 1/125 or so, you'll be able to hold the camera in your hand and capture most of the action without using a flash. Get more details on settings and composition tricks that will help you perfectly capture holiday memories.

Bonus: Get to know your airports

Q. I hate airports. They're crowded and I always get lost. Any suggestions for Christmas travel?

A. Before you head out, grab an app like GateGuru. Not only does it give you the usual flight information, it tells you exactly what amenities are in the airport, features reviews and has maps so you can find your way around. Learn about four more apps that make getting through the airport a breeze.

On the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show, Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com. Kim also posts breaking tech news 24/7 at News.Komando.com.

Source: Tech Q & A: Avoiding Facebook scams, buying an electric car

Report: 700,000 Plug-In Electric Cars To Be Sold Worldwide In 2016 – China To Dominate EV Sales

Expected EV sales volume in 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025. 2015-YTD actual. Source: LMC Automotive via JATO Dynamics

Most popular EV models in 2015 by end of August (source: JATO Dynamics)

JATO Dynamics forecasts that plug-in electric car sales will exceed 700,000 worldwide in 2016. Ten years from now, sales are to be more than 5.5 million.

In 2014, around 280,000 (up 43%) EVs were sold.

"Electric passenger car sales totalled 280,000 units in 2014, representing growth of 43% compared with 2013. While this represents stellar growth compared to the overall market, in terms of volume, 84,000 additional units in a global market that sold more than 72 million passenger cars looks like a drop in the ocean. It also explains why electric cars are still a rare sight on our roads."

One of the main insights from JATO is that China will lead the way, while Europe will be in a strong second place, ahead of North America.

In 2019, Europe is expected to exceed 500,000 sales annually, while U.S. will hit the same mark around 2022.

Most of the plug-in car sales will be plug-in hybrids, according to the report:

"LMC Automotive also estimates that the biggest winners will be PHEVs, with sales jumping 195% from 2016 to 2019 before reaching 3.3 million units annually by 2025. As a result PHEVs will represent around 60% of combined global sales for PHEVs, BEVs and EREVs. Pure electric (BEV) volumes are predicted to rise from 350,000 units in 2016 to 2.2 million nine years later."

Most popular EV brands in 2015 by end of August (source: JATO Dynamics)

source: JATO Dynamics

Source: Report: 700,000 Plug-In Electric Cars To Be Sold Worldwide In 2016 – China To Dominate EV Sales

Porsche to invest 1 billion euro, create 1,000 jobs for electric sports car

Reuters, 04/12 15:40 CET

BERLIN (Reuters) – Porsche <VOWG_p.DE> will spend about 1 billion euros (£722.7 million) to ready production facilities at its biggest plant for the advent of its first-ever all-electric sports car.

The Volkswagen-owned manufacturer said on Friday it will create more than 1,000 new jobs at its base in Zuffenhausen where a new paint shop and assembly line will be set up to build the battery-powered Mission E model.

(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Arno Schuetze)

euronews provides breaking news articles from Reuters as a service to its readers, but does not edit the articles it publishes.

Copyright 2015 Reuters.

Source: Porsche to invest 1 billion euro, create 1,000 jobs for electric sports car

Use Old Electric-Car Batteries To Electrify Used Vans, Carwatt Suggests (Video)

It's a frequent question about electric cars: What happens to the battery packs after they reach the limit of their automotive life?

The usual answer is that they'll have a second life as energy storage in houses or for other stationary uses.

But what if that second life were in another vehicle?

DON'T MISS: Renault Zoe Electric Car: First Drive Of Europe's Leaf Alternative

That's the suggestion of French startup Carwatt, which has build a prototype Renault Trafic delivery van repowered with used battery packs from Renault electric cars.

By far the highest-volume electric car built by the French carmaker that is Nissan's alliance partner is the Zoe, a subcompact five-door electric hatchback with a range roughly equivalent to that of the larger Nissan Leaf.

The converted Trafic van is on display this week at the COP21 climate summit being held in Paris, courtesy of Carwatt and its many partners.

They include carmaker Renault, the Paris City Council, BPI France, the Bobigny Business Campus, and the Alès École des Mines Engineering School.

ALSO SEE: Chevy, Nissan Reveal Second-Life Uses For Electric-Car Batteries

Batteries for electric cars are generally viewed as finished for automotive use when they reach around 75 percent of their original energy capacity, but it's long been expected that they'll hold value for secondary uses for many years after.

And while used commercial vans often live long lives, 94 percent of them are powered by diesel engines--meaning that electric conversions may have an outsize impact on total emissions and energy consumption.

French startup Carwatt converts Renault Trafic diesel van to electric power [Carwatt, Fabien Berger]

Enlarge Photo

Carwatt is a startup company, founded this year, whose goal is to develop multiple second-life applications for electric-car batteries--both in stationary applications and further vehicular use.

Among its prototypes, as well as the electrified Trafic van, is a stationary energy-storage container with solar panels, developed in partnership with the nonprofit group Wazzaj.

MORE: What's Best For Old Electric-Car Batteries: Reuse Or Recycling?  (Sep 2011)

Carwatt is housed at the Paris & Co business incubator (charmingly translated in the Renault press release as "business nursery").

Next year, the company and the Paris City Council will experiment with other Renault vehicles converted to run on electricity stored in used battery packs.

French startup Carwatt converts Renault Trafic diesel van to electric power [Carwatt, Fabien Berger]

Enlarge Photo

The company has posted a number of videos documenting the conversion of the Trafic van to electric operation.

The first of the series of five episodes to date is embedded at the top of this article.

_______________________________________

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: Use Old Electric-Car Batteries To Electrify Used Vans, Carwatt Suggests (Video)

Electric car future for SA motorists

The Nissan Leaf electric car retails for R446 000 in South Africa.

South African motorists can save up to R18 000 a year on petrol costs, provided they are willing to pay more than R450 000 to purchase an electric vehicle (EV).

According to a study by the uYilo e-Mobility Technology Innovation Programme at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), running an all-electric car like the Nissan Leaf for a year costs R18 000 less than a petrol-consuming car.

The Nissan Leaf is South Africa's first fully electric vehicle, with 80 units having been sold since the car became commercially available in 2013.

"The results show the real value in purchasing an EV, especially considering the current cost of fuel," says Hitten Parmar, acting director of the uYilo Programme.

The savings, as well as the low maintenance costs of EVs, make them a smart choice for consumers in the car market, Parmar adds.

Money talks

The research study supported by government, Eskom and car-makers was compiled to fast-track the development of electric vehicles in South Africa. A fleet of Nissan Leaf EVs were provided to support the study.

Although the research shows some savings for the consumer, motorists will have to pay a hefty sum to purchase a Nissan Leaf EV.

In 2013, the Nissan Leaf went on sale at a retail price of R446 000. Including electricity costs of about R22 500 over a six-year period and maintenance costs of R1 500, the total cost of the car over the six-year period is R470 000, explains Mike Whitfield, MD of Nissan South Africa.

According to Whitfield, Nissan was proud to support and partner with uYilo and NMMU to develop EV infrastructure and technology in South Africa.

"We firmly believe EVs will play an important role in transportation and South Africa is in prime position to lead this innovation on the continent," says Whitfield.

Energy supply

Despite the advantages of driving EVs in South Africa, there are questions about the country's struggles with sufficient power supply.

However, it has been noted the next step for uYilo's research is to investigate how the cars can be integrated into the grid management system.

"Nissan's long-term vision puts electric vehicle batteries at the heart of the power grid, storing electricity during times of low demand, and releasing it back during peak hours," says Whitfield.

Nissan is working on solidifying an EV charging infrastructure in the country and has set out to increase capacity in the next 12 months. "There will be 30 charging stations in Gauteng, 12 in KwaZulu-Natal, 10 in Port Elizabeth, 15 in Cape Town, 10 in Mpumalanga, 10 in Limpopo and five in central South Africa," it says.

Market ambitions

South African-based company Big Boss has announced plans to unveil an electric car in the new year.

According to Big Boss, the manufacturing of the electric car, also dubbed "Big Boss", will initially be in China and the company envisages bringing production to SA after selling the first 1 000 units.

Unlike the Nissan Leaf, the Big Boss is planned to retail for between R250 000 and R300 000, and it will come in different ranges covering different distances per charge. Recharging the battery will not exceed R20, depending on the power of the battery, says company founder Rishiden Samraj.

Meanwhile, ITWeb has learned Johannesburg suburb, Parkhurst, is in the process of installing solar-powered electric car charging points in the area.

Earlier this year, the Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners' Association (PRBOA) launched the 'Go-Green' project to stimulate renewable energy use. As part of the initiative and working with the City of Joburg, the PRBOA planned to install a number of solar-powered EV charging stations.

According to the PRBOA, the charging stations would be installed in areas specifically demarcated for electric vehicles.

Our comments policy does not allow anonymous postings. Read the policy here

Source: Electric car future for SA motorists