Greenwire: Chinese automaker BYD is hoping to start selling its all-electric minivan in America this year as the first Chinese-made car on the U.S. market. The five-seat e6 would reach the West Coast later this year.
Chinese automakers are working on a series of green vehicles, powered by everything from batteries to small wind turbines. At the Beijing auto show this week, Chinese firms are working hard to show they will not lag behind Western rivals in gas-free cars. The government introduced a series of tax breaks and subsidies in March to promote Chinese technology, but automakers are still waiting on details on how it would affect them.
If the e6 hits the market, BYD would be in the same league as General Motors Co., which is releasing the Chevrolet Volt, and Tesla Motors Inc., with its Roadster. Other Chinese producers have tried to export their cars, but none has met American emission standards, and analysts say the cars simply aren’t good enough to compete. The electric car would clear those standards easily.
Among the other firms hoping to capture the green market was Dongfeng, which displayed its I-Car, an all-electric hatchback with glowing hubcaps and touch-pad buttons. Geely debuted six alternative energy vehicles to be released on the market next year (Chi-Chi Zhang, AP/Houston Chronicle, April 26). – JP