China Electric Car

If there's one thing that's never lost in translation, it's the concept of status.

Chinese automaker Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (JAC) rarely snags a headline here in the U.S., but with the launch of its Tong Yue electric car, JAC has managed to capture our attention.

Recently, a slew of reports have surfaced suggesting that many of China's automakers are scaling back development of alternative energy vehicles. Specifically, reports indicate that weak consumer interest is forcing Chinese automakers to ditch plans to manufacture electric vehicles. With that in mind, it's surprising, at least to some degree, to stumble upon news indicating that China is forging forward with plans to install perhaps millions of plug-in vehicle charging stations within the next d

Renault Fluence Z.E. – Click above for high-res image gallery

2009 BYD F3DM - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan Leaf will be delayed there

The smog of Shanghai as viewed from the Oriental Pearl Tower

BYD E6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jianghuai Auto (aka JAC Motors) is a relatively unknown – at least in the U.S. – Chinese truck and SUV manufacturer that has come forth with huge plans to invest billions to produce a million hybrid and electric vehicles in the near future. JAC Motors announced plans to invest 30 billion yuan ($4.43 billion U.S. at the current exchange rate) to set up a joint venture (JV) with Tianjin Zhengdao Stock Investment & Management Co. The JV plans to build at least one million electric a

BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

BYD E6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The globe-crossing Tag Heuer-branded Telsa Roadster has made it to the Great Wall of China. The car also stopped in Beijing recently, the eighth official stop on the eight-month, 23,000-mile trip. While at the Great Wall, the actor Chen Dao Ming ("Hero") drove the car for a brief while. The car has visited places like Budapest and Moscow's Red Square, and the next goal is the city of QuFu, the hometown of philosopher Confucius. The Roadster will take part in a total of 15 public/VIP events

Image illustrates sources of energy generation within China in 2008

BYD E6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

BYD E6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

BYD E6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Electric vehicle infrastructure projects in China are growing swiftly if not ubiquitously. The latest example: a new set of two charging stations for electric cars at the Universiade Center in Shenzhen that were put into service this week, along with 134 pole chargers around town. The centralized stations have quick-charging options while the poles are mostly designed for overnight (slow) charging. The People's Daily says that this is currently "China's largest charging station in terms of are