Related News
Electric cars steal the limelight
By George Frey and Matt Moore |
September 16, 2009, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CAR makers put last-minute touches on displays at the 63rd Frankfurt Auto Show yesterday, ready to show off future models in a bid to kick start sales amid a slowly improving global economy.
Many were looking years down the road by unveiling their latest electric-powered models.
Companies from Volkswagen AG to Hyundai Motor Co displayed their cars in the cavernous exhibition space, but the buzz centered on designs that eschew traditional gas engines in favor of more environmentally friendly electric motors or a hybrid blend of both.
VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn unveiled the E-Up!, a small car powered by an electric motor using lithium-ion batteries that can reach a maximum speed of 135 kilometers an hour and travel up to 130 km on one charge.
"The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive - technically, visually and with regard to a practical size," Winterkorn said of the car, which is expected to go into production by 2013.
Other auto makers are bringing their vision of electric cars to Frankfurt, too, including Renault, which has four new models planned for the show; a hybrid Mercedes-Benz B-Class, called the F-Cell, which sports a fuel cell and an electric motor; and the first plug-in version of Toyota's Prius hybrid, featuring a battery that can be charged from a household outlet.
General Motors will tout its Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric which uses an internal-combustion engine to extend its range.
Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecasts an increase from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011.
Organizers said 753 exhibitors are on hand for the car fair.
Many were looking years down the road by unveiling their latest electric-powered models.
Companies from Volkswagen AG to Hyundai Motor Co displayed their cars in the cavernous exhibition space, but the buzz centered on designs that eschew traditional gas engines in favor of more environmentally friendly electric motors or a hybrid blend of both.
VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn unveiled the E-Up!, a small car powered by an electric motor using lithium-ion batteries that can reach a maximum speed of 135 kilometers an hour and travel up to 130 km on one charge.
"The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive - technically, visually and with regard to a practical size," Winterkorn said of the car, which is expected to go into production by 2013.
Other auto makers are bringing their vision of electric cars to Frankfurt, too, including Renault, which has four new models planned for the show; a hybrid Mercedes-Benz B-Class, called the F-Cell, which sports a fuel cell and an electric motor; and the first plug-in version of Toyota's Prius hybrid, featuring a battery that can be charged from a household outlet.
General Motors will tout its Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric which uses an internal-combustion engine to extend its range.
Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecasts an increase from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011.
Organizers said 753 exhibitors are on hand for the car fair.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
