Two Generals Team Up in Latest EV Drive

There’s been a flurry of news on the electric vehicle (EV) front these last 2 days, as China enlists US heavyweights General Motors (NYSE: GM) and General Electric (NYSE: GE) to try and jumpstart the country’s sputtering drive to environmentally friendly cars. But despite the hype, the two latest initiatives look largely symbolic to me, and it’s hard to tell if either will have much impact. One deal will see GM and Chinese partner SAIC (Shanghai: 600104) step up their EV development, with GM making vague promises to transfer more of its cutting-edge EV technology to China as it prepares to import its state-of-the-art Chevy Volt on a trial basis. (English article) The second deal will see the two Generals, GM and GE, install charging stations in Shanghai on a very limited basis at GM’s China headquarters and in the pilot district of Jiading. (English article) The pair of announcements follow a similar, more interesting one last month, in which GE teamed up with US rental car giant Hertz and Chinese EV maker BYD (HKEx: 1211) in a drive to make EVs available on a rental basis with GE supplying necessary charging infrastructure and BYD supplying cars. (previous post) I applaud China for its steadfast determination push ahead with its EV drive, which it is trying to do by offering buying incentives and by coaxing big names like GE, GM and Hertz to provide the necessary infrastructure. But it’s clear from the reserved nature of all these announcements that the biggest piece of the equation — consumer demand — is still missing. The rental car concept being rolled out by Hertz is good, as it will allow consumers to test out EVs and feel more comfortable with them before making a purchase. Beijing needs to make more moves like this, including a broader public education program, to build up the necessary consumer confidence that even the most aggressive infrastructure-building program can’t provide. Without such confidence, China’s EV drive could sputter and die before it even gets started.

Bottom line: China’s latest EV initiatives involving GE and GM look largely symbolic, and instead Beijing should focus on building the necessary consumer confidence to make its EV program work.

Related postings 相关文章:

◙ Hertz, GE Give Jolt to BYD Electric Cars 赫兹新项目为比亚迪“加油

◙ Beijing Sends Mixed EV Signals 中国应推进电动车基础设施建设和宣传

◙ BYD Toots Electric Horn in Shenzhen 比亚迪在深圳奏响电动汽车号角