Electric vehicles will grab a larger share of China’s auto market next year as carmakers add more intelligent features, according to Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Feng Qingfeng.
“EVs will be the brightest spot in China’s auto market next year and likely account for 30% of new auto sales or higher,” Feng said in an interview in Beijing Wednesday. “Another explosive driving force is that the intelligence level of EVs will see great advancement next year — understanding consumers better and being able to make more decisions independently.”
Lotus Tech, which develops cars for the Lotus brand, is tapping the potential for sports cars in the world’s biggest auto market against a small pool of competitors including Porsche Automobil Holding SE and BMW AG. New energy vehicles, which include plug-in hybrids and electric cars, accounted for just under 13% of China’s auto market in the first 11 months of this year.
Day: December 15, 2021
President Joe Biden says his Build Back Better plan aims to confront the “existential threat of climate change.” So it’s unfortunate that in privileging union jobs over just about any other goal, a crucial element of the legislation would do just the opposite.
Included in Section 136401 of the House version of the BBB proposal is what looks like a harmless effort to promote electric vehicles. The bill offers a $7,500 refundable tax credit for most EVs. Consumers can then claim additional credits of up to $5,000 — but there’s a catch. To qualify for the full write-off, an EV must be manufactured by union workers, assembled in the U.S. and made with American batteries. Even the base credit phases out for all but American-made cars in five years.
Where to start with this misguided idea?
The U.K. is reducing electric vehicle grants, the second cut in nine months, as the government looks to rein in spending.
From Wednesday, drivers in Britain can expect grants of as much as 1,500 pounds ($1,987) on cars that cost less than 32,000 pounds, the Department for Transport said, with about 20 models continuing to receive subsidies. The change means the incentive has now been halved in the space of less than a year.
The decision will make funding to go further and allow more people to make the switch to EVs after sticker prices have come down, the government said. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said lowering the cap is a setback to the country’s plans to phase out internal combustion powered cars by 2030.
Opel Rocks-E, a fully electric vehicle that can be driven without a car license. Opel describes it as a SUM, sustainable urban mobility rather than a car and it’s aimed at 15/16-year-olds, similar to the Citroen Ami. It has a range of 75kms and a top speed of 25kph (16 mph).
The Rocks-e is available in three different versions, that mainly differ by their looks. In Germany, it can be purchased for less than €8,000 (CDN$11,600 / USD$9,000).