Alternative energy vehicles take center stage

• Source: cctv
• [16:14 May 14 2009]
• Comments

Auto makers from both China and overseas have turned up at this year's Shanghai Auto Show, bringing with them the very latest in clean, green technology.

Nissan's electric concept – the Nissan Nuvu - is on display for the first time at the Shanghai auto show. The cartoonish and futuristic look minicar boasts zero emissions and manifests Nissan's most advanced technologies in the field of electric vehicles. The Japan auto maker has set an ambitious timetable to put the concept into production.

Nissan plans to launch electric vehicles in China in early 2011 and start global mass marketing in 2012. As a first step, the car maker has already signed a cooperation agreement with the city of Wuhan for a pilot program.

Yasuaki Hashimoto, president of Nissan (China) Investment Cp., Ltd., said, "So anyway it's our first project. We will …. Producing in Japan as part of our program. If the market is going to be mature for accepting EV, we are going to getting to the next stage, to consider localization of the products."

Local car makers are also racing to show their strength in the alternative-energy vehicle market.

Chery Automobile has four home grown new-energy models at the auto show. One of them is the pure lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicle, M1, and the three others are electric and hybrid models. The home grown manufacturer believes their investment in alternate-fuel vehicles will pay off.

Yin Tongyao, form Chery Automobile, said, "We are very upbeat about the prospects of alternative fuel vehicles in China. We have been ramping up our investment in this segment for years. So far we have rolled out our BSG hybrid model. We plan to launch the mass production of another hybrid model, ISG, by the end of the year. Next year we will roll out an electric vehicle and a complete hybrid model. We hope to outpace other companies in alternative-fuel, especially in the area of electric vehicles."

Both local and foreign car makers are eager to tap the potential of clean vehicles. As energy and environment crises intensify, traditional fuel-powered autos are facing increasing challenges. And with hybrid and other alternative energy technologies making new breakthroughs, vehicles making use of them are expected to eventually drive away with a bigger share of the global auto market.