Volkswagen to Make Electric Vehicles in China; BYD Ships Electric Buses

Reuters
May 16, 2011

German automaker Volkswagen announced plans to make electric cars for the rapidly growing Chinese market, with partner FAW Group.

The cars will be sold under a new brand, called Kaili.

Volkswagen says it expects to begin production in China by the end of 2013 or early 2014. A Volkswagen spokesperson notes the Chinese government is encouraging joint ventures between domestic and foreign car makers.

China's ministry of industry and information technology certified FAW-Volkswagen's Kaili electric vehicle on May 3.

Other foreign companies building electric cars for the Chinese market include Daimler, General Motors and Nissan.

GM is working with China's SAIC Motor Corp, Nissan has a venture with Dongfeng Motor Group, and Daimler is working with BYD.

BYD Begins Shipping Electric Buses

China's BYD Company has begun shipping its first long-range (>300/Km), electric buses for a 300 bus fleet that will serve the 2011 International Universiade Games held in Shenzhen, China.

After the Universiade Games, these 300 eBU-12's will be incorporated into Shenzhen's city bus fleet--creating the largest electric bus fleet in the world.

The eBUS is the first pure electric bus designed and manufactured independently by BYD. At the core of the eBUS technology is BYD's in-wheel motor drive system and the Iron Phosphate or "Fe" battery technology.

Because the drive system requires no axle, the eBUS floor can sit lower than any other bus, making it very rider-friendly. BYD says the Fe battery boasts the highest safety, longest service life and most environmentally friendly rechargeable chemistry. With these technologies, the BYD eBUS achieves a "loaded bus" city driving range of more than 150 miles (or 250 Km) and it only takes about half an hour to achieve a 50 percent state-of-charge using BYD's fast charging system, the company said.

The eBUS also integrates BYD solar panels on the bus roof, converting solar energy to electricity which is stored in the Fe batteries and can completely offset the eBUS air-conditioning load (extending the range on sunny days).