http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/business/energy-environment/20car.html?hpw The Chinese government, determined to become a world leader in green technology, says it is willing to invest billions of dollars over the next few years to develop electric and hybrid vehicles.
From the article, the $15B is in Chinese Yuan or about $2B US, that's nothing compare to GM already spend more than that on the Volt. By the way most of the auto companies in China are government owned, so it is no more than just a government propaganda.
It is $14.7 billion USD (100 billion yuan). We are spending $2.5 billions. I wonder how much Japan is spending on EVs.
Was "hoping" for some bold move like this from Obama. Actually make the US world leaders in the alternative transportation game. (Since we have the most to win or lose). So far am disappointed in Obama's move to a green economy.
The Japanese don't need as much from the govt for R&D because the Japanese population actually cares about their future and buys hybrids (and extrapolating, electric vehicles) instead of V8 SUVs. As a result, volume sales help pay for R&D. Afterthought: I would say this applies to evolutionary PHEVs, like the PHEV Prius, but not for non-evolutionary vehicles, like a full electric or primary electric (Volt).
Um, maybe after they beef up their crash test results This is part of the reason no chinese cars are a staple in the U.S. yet.
Chinese government should regulate crash test like NTSHA. I don't know if they even have an existing organization. I know they follow Euro emission standard. My guess would be Euro crash test standard as well.
