Ghosn Finally Figures Out What We Have Been Saying All Along - Most EV Buyers Want It Cheap

The western world may be fascinated by electrified luxury cars carrying the marques of Tesla, BMW, Audi and a number of exotic upstarts, but the true EV revolution seems to be finally happening in the developing markets of Asia, where zero emission vehicles are needed the most. French automaker Renault SA wants to be part of the real EV revolution, if reports in UK media are correct.

At the inauguration of Renault’s new Chinese plant, built together with joint venture partner Dongfeng in Wuhan, a city in China’s central Hubei province, Renault’s CEO Carlos Ghosn hinted at a future line of “cheap and frugal” electric vehicles targeted at the Chinese market in big numbers.

TomM - 2/11/2016 4:00:11 PM

+2 Boost

FOR CHINA - where the government is actively pushing EV's because of the incredible smog in most urban zones. AND since the average chinese worker makes far less than the Western people do (and can live nicely on it) - the cars they buy cannot be expensive.

You will find that EVERY manufacturer in China is pushing towards Hybrids, Plug Ins, and EVS because that is where their market is going. In Europe - the market is still dominated by diesels.

In the USA - neither Diesels not EVS are choices right now.

MDarringer - 2/11/2016 9:45:58 PM

0 Boost

Hybrids and EVs will have to be in the mix here whether the market wants them or not given CAFE.

I'm actually surprised the Honda Ridgeline did not arrive hybridized. That would have given Honda's minivan with a fake pickup body at least one thing over the competition.

MorePower - 2/12/2016 12:47:37 AM

+2 Boost

Produce more ev vehicles and the costs go down.

I'm sure their respective dealership networks hate electric vehicles, especially since the courts ruled that owners can modify them.

mini22 - 2/15/2016 10:38:32 PM

+1 Boost

EV's have to cost the same as regular gasoline vehicles in all sizes. It should take no more than 7 minutes to recharge 80% of full charge. Finally a full charge must be good for 350 miles. That means an 80% recharge is good for 280 miles. Once that technology is there for this to happen than EV's will start replacing gasoline vehicles in droves. Until all of the criteria I mention has been met gasoline vehicles will continue to dominate.