Germany to get electric vehicles on the road by 2020

In an effort to help the automotive industry and the German economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel has authorized a subsidy of €(US$2.8 billion) to assist German automakers in getting electric vehicles (EV) to German consumers by the year 2020. The subsidy should also help the German automotive industry in staying competitive in the EV market worldwide. To make consumers more receptive to electric vehicles, there will also be incentives for any consumer willing to buy an electric vehicle, which at the outset will be more expensive than traditional vehicles.  German automotive manufacturers have already been busy launching electric vehicles in China.  Volkswagen will launch an EV called the Kaili, to be produced by a joint venture with the FAW group. Daimler, in conjunction with BYD, is also developing EV units in China. (May 27, 2011)