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TheCityFix.com: Will China Dominate the Electric Car Market?
Originally published on TheCityFix.com:
Chinese car designer Tang Hua unveiled this peculiar electric concept car, named “Detroit Fish,” at the North American International Auto Show in 2008. Photo by GmanViz.
Step aside, Japan. Don’t even try, Detroit. China has plans to corner the electric car market.
From the New York Times:
Chinese leaders have adopted a plan aimed at turning the country into one of the leading producers of hybrid and all-electric vehicles within three years, and making it the world leader in electric cars and buses after that.
As it stands now…
Japan and the United States currently lead the world in gas-powered vechicle technology. Japan, additionally, ranks first in hybrids, which run on both electricity and gasoline, with cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.
What is China’s plan for electric car domination?
China’s hoping to leapfrog its competitors by adopting new technology and raising its “annual production capacity to 500,000 hybrid or all-electric cars and buses by the end of 2011, from 2,100 last year.”
Plus, the government plans to dole out rewards to encourage the purchase of hybrid or all-electric cars. Taxi fleets and local government agencies in 13 Chinese cities can earn up to $8,800 in subsidies for each vehicle they purhcase. And consumers may also soon receive tax credits if they buy “alternative energy” vehicles.
By boosting production (and purchase) of electric and hyprid cars, China aims to stimulate its economy, reduce urban air pollution and decrease its dependence on oil.
To read about advantages and obstacles of China going electric, click here.
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2 comments for “TheCityFix.com: Will China Dominate the Electric Car Market?”
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Erica
I am sure that China will dominate this kind of market. I really think it’s time for everybody to start considering the usage of other forms of energy. However this is a project that can work for a city car, just to use for short inner city trips. Other producers like Toyota and Volvo are developing environmental friendly models…unfortunately at a too high price!
Has anyone done the GHG and LCA analysis for these cars? Batteries are not environmentally friendly.
China could have a better share of the global car market except the companies chose to cut costs by using less metal in the frames and not using roll bars or crumple zones in the frames. That is what has kept Chinese cars out of the EU and Russia.