BYD, Tesla, Renault, Paris, ICAO, Ireland.
BYD confirms Hungarian facility: The Chinese manufacturer is pouring 20m euros into an assembly facility for electric buses and forklifts in Komárom in northern Hungary. Doors are said to open in the first quarter of 2017, after which the factory will churn out 400 EVs per year. The name “BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary” suggests that it could also produce electric trucks in the future.
masstransitmag.com, automotiveworld.com
Tesla conquers new frontiers: The California EV pioneer will offer its Model X in New Zealand starting next month. It will also open a Tesla Store there in the second half of 2017 and add Superchargers. Meanwhile, Tesla is hiring for new stores in Madrid and Barcelona.
electrek.co (New Zealand), electrek.co (Spain)
Cheap EV for China: Renault’s plan to produce an affordable electric car in China are taking shape. Gérard Detourbet will head the project as chief engineer. The 70-year-old has made a name for himself as “the auto industry’s low cost maven extraordinaire.”
forbes.com
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Paris region opens pockets: Residents of the Métropole du Grand Paris, which includes the French capital and 130 other cities and communities, will receive extra cash on top of state subsidies. If they swap their 20-year-old diesel (or older) for an EV or PHEV, they get 5,000 euros. E-bikes and scooters are subsidised with 1,000 euros. But there is only enough cash for 1,000 applicants.
avere-france.org (in French)
Step in the right direction: UN special agency International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will put in place measures to offset CO2 emissions from 2021. Airlines will then be asked to i.e. invest in climate protection, in order to counterbalance their emissions. The programme will first be voluntary, but will become mandatory from 2027.
icao.int, climateobserver.org
Ireland prolongs incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles past the initial 2016 deadline. Motor vehicle insurance rebates will be extended another five years for EVs and another two for hybrids. A tax on diesel was not increased.
irishtimes
Vintage EV from France: French manufacturer Bee Bee Automotive presented its vintage looking electric car. The Bee-Bee XS weighs a mere 660 kg and sports a 20 kW electric motor. The 7.2 kWh or 9.6 kWh battery pack allow for a range of 80 or 120 km. Thanks to subsidies in France, the car will start at 21,180 euros, battery included.