CHINA’S QUESTIONS ABOUT PLUGGING IN

At China's green show, questions emerge about electric cars
Christine Tierney, April 22, 2010 (Detroit News)

"From General Motors Co. to BYD Automobile Co., global and Chinese carmakers are promoting their electric cars and prototypes at China's green-themed auto show, but executives are also voicing doubts…

"China relies on coal to generate 83 percent of the country's electricity…[and some say] battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids [on a well-to-wheel analysis] do not save more energy than conventional cars…[Carmakers debate while] waiting for the central government to detail the subsidies and incentives it will offer to promote demand for electric cars. The government was expected to disclose them last month, but has postponed the announcement to July…An executive at BYD Auto said the concerns about carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the way electricity is generated in China are valid --but he said that was not the only issue…"

The Chinese car exec is simply wrong. Studies show plug-in vehicles running even on dirty coal cut emissions because of the increased efficiency of electric motors. (click to enlarge)

"China's oil imports are growing and likely to become enormous, driving up oil prices worldwide, if auto sales continue to expand…China became the world's largest auto market, overtaking the depressed U.S. market, after sales surged 51.6 percent…[S]ales are expected to grow a further 17 percent this year to 16 million cars and trucks, led by a 21.5 percent rise in passenger cars…[T]ax breaks and other government incentives [underpin] demand by making vehicles affordable to a bigger segment of China's huge population…J.D. Power and Associates [said] sales of Chinese passenger vehicles -- cars, SUVs and minivans -- would grow to 13.55 million vehicles in 2015, a 55 percent increase over 2009 levels.

"Concerned about rising oil imports and the pollution already choking China's big cities, the central government has spurred automakers to develop clean, alternative technologies. Officials also believe that China's fledgling carmakers will be able to compete better in new areas than in established fields where the big global automakers have decades of experience."

click thru for a complete update on the progress of all EVs

"BYD, for instance, is viewed as a potentially promising automaker because it has a solid track record as a battery manufacturer -- and battery technology is crucial to electric cars…The Beijing car show, formally known as Auto China 2010, is spotlighting electric cars and other so-called "new energy vehicles" with the slogan: "For a green tomorrow." GM will unveil a Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept plug-in hybrid in Beijing, as well as display the Chevrolet Volt…Nissan Motor Co. will display its battery-powered, all-electric Leaf car, which goes on sale this year in Japan and the United States.

"Nissan may produce the Leaf and some of its components, including possibly the battery, in China, depending on what incentives the government unveils in July…The government has now designated 20 cities that will have charging infrastructure for electric cars, as part of its goal to have 500,000 new energy vehicles on the road in the next few years. Some auto executives said the government's policy seems set, but it may be rethinking the timing and cost of electric car production…Chinese consumers [are enthusiastic about electric cars] as well…60 percent of Chinese respondents [to a recent survey, five times more than any other country] would buy or strongly consider an electric car…"