Tesla wants a factory in China, and fast

Ahead of his participation in a Hong Kong technology forum tomorrow, the ever so busy Elon Musk has managed to take some time out to give us an update on how Tesla’s doing in Greater China. Without revealing specific sales figures, the CEO told Engadget that his company is now “doing reasonably well” in Mainland China despite the earlier hiccup, and he aims to lock down manufacturing plans — finding a local partner and a location for the plant — for the local market by the middle of this year. As with most other foreign auto makers who do business in China, this key strategy is to waive the high import duties charged by the local government, as well as to access other local incentives for EVs. Until then, Musk said there’s no further news to share on that end.

To date, Tesla has set up 15 stores in seven major cities in Greater China, over 340 Superchargers and over 1,600 destination chargers. Hong Kong in particular has 42 Superchargers, making it the city with the highest density of Tesla’s rapid charging stations; this is on top of the 75 destination chargers there. It’s no wonder that last year the company managed to sell 2,221 Model S in Hong Kong alone, which made up over 80 percent of the local electric vehicles that year. Between 2014 and 2015, Hong Kong saw a whopping 270 percent growth in terms of the number of EVs registered, to which Musk credited the “excellent government policies” that he admitted are more supportive than what he currently faces in Mainland China. As a well-deserved “reward” for local Tesla fans, Musk confirmed that the Model X will be headed to the city in 2H 2016, along with the opening of a new service center.

UK councils given £40 million to boost electric car numbers

UK electric car sales might be on the rise, but the government believes the public still needs convincing that plug-in vehicles are the future. As part of its Go Ultra Low City Scheme, councils in London, Nottingham, Bristol and Milton Keynes have been chosen to share a £40 million pot designed to not only get more greener vehicles on the road but also support those who have already made the switch.

The winning cities have agreed to introduce new technology, like fast-charging hubs and street lamps that double as EV chargers, an initiative that German carmaker BMW has already trialed in Oxford. Councils will also enforce new measures that will allow owners to use bus lanes in city centres and park in up to 25,000 spaces allocated for electric vehicles.

London councils will get the majority of the money, with £13 million being spread between three boroughs. Hackney will introduce street lamp chargers, while Harrow develop a low emission zone offering “parking and traffic priority to owners of plug-in vehicles.” Westminster Council already offers free parking for plug-in vehicles but will focus on selling more than 250,000 electric cars by 2025.

Milton Keynes will spend £9 million on opening a new Electric Vehicle Experience Centre that will offer advice on electric cars but also offer short-term loans. Bristol, on the other hand, will get £7 million to open up three carpool lanes, build 80 rapid charging points across the city and provide 4-week leases to those who want to try before they buy.

The scheme will also provide £5 million to smaller initiatives in Dundee, Oxford, York and the north east, helping them to get their own EV projects on the ground. York, for example, will install solar panels at park and ride points to source clean energy for electric cars and reduce city emissions in the process.

Source: Gov.uk