California Resumes EV Rebates and Green HOV Decal Issuance; smart Goes Electric for all of its 2017 Models; China New Energy Car Market Growth Stays Strong
California Resumes EV Rebates and Green HOV Decal Issuance
According to Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, $133 million was approved by the state on Sept 14, to continue funding the rebate project. The fund will be used to cover applications on the waiting list since June 11 as well as new applications in FY2016-17. The qualified applications are expected to start receiving rebate checks in December.
Moreover, according to California DMV, the state removed the 85,000 limit on Green HOV Decals on Sept 13. The green decals allow plug-in hybrids to use carpool lane during rush hours. The applicants on the waiting list since December 2015 and new applicants will receive the decal. The application fee was raised to $22 from the previous $8. The green decals expire on Jan 1, 2019.
smart Goes Electric for all of its 2017 Models
According to TechCrunch, Daimler’s smart will make all-electric an option to all of its 2017 lineup, including fortwo, fortwo Cabrio and forfour.
These electric cars can run 99 miles (EP rating) on a single charge. fortwo Electric Drive will arrive in spring 2017 and the fortwo Cabrio will be available later in the summer. smart will introduce its EVs at Paris Motor Show in October.
Current, 2016 smart fortwo Electric Coupe is available. MSRP starts at $19,990 before incentives. Leasing is as low as $139/month.
China New Energy Car Market Growth Stays Strong
According to Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) , the new energy car August sales in China are 38 thousand units, an increase of 92.2% from last year. Specifically, all-electric car sales are 28 thousand units (106.4% increase) and plug-in hybrid sales are 10 thousand units (61.0% increase).
Up to August this year, total new energy car sales in China are 245 thousand units, an increase of 115.6% from last year.
In addition, from January to August, the total car sales in China are 16.7 million units.