The Chinese government is going all in on electric cars. After all, China is currently plagued with some of the worst air pollution in the world.
It’s also one of Tesla founder, Elon Musk’s prime targets for the company’s global expansion.
While the Silicon Valley-based automaker has made a name for itself selling high priced, high performance electric cars, Musk’s goal has always been to become more like Henry Ford than Enzo Ferrari.
This means Tesla’s future will be in the production of mass market vehicles for the everyday consumer rather than niche luxury supercars.
However, the real growth in China’s electric car market has been in the form of something a considerably more pedestrian than even Tesla’s slowest model — the low speed electric car or LEV.
According to Bloomberg’s Adam Minter, the Chinese government is going as far as regulating these cars with a top speed of just 43 mph.
“The boom in low-speed electric vehicles (or LEVs) is an unplanned disruption in a Chinese auto market accustomed to central planning,” Minter wrote.
“LEV makers are out-innovating and out-selling their upscale electrified counterparts. Production of LEVs is growing quickly, and sales exceeded 300,000 in 2014, accordingto state media, far outpacing estimates of traditional electric-car sales.”
At the same time, Tesla’s China sales have been tepid at best and will likely remain that way for some time. But Elon Musk need not worry. The Chinese government is fully committed to electric cars. Plus, the LEV and Tesla’s consumer base will likely have little to no overlap.
Much of China’s LEV market is aimed at the country’s rural and secondary or tertiary cities. They will be crucial in replacing the millions of dirty two-stroke gasoline powered vehicles as well as tiny Kei car-based city runabouts prevalent throughout China. Furthermore, many of these LEVs will be deployed as taxis and commercial vehicles.
Tesla, on the other hand, will target a decidedly more affluent and urban clientele. The middle and middle-upper class of China’s megacities are not pining for the chance to buy an LEV golf cart. But, they may one day, dream of owning a shiny new Tesla.
New meets old while testing a Tesla in Kyoto in honor of Japan’s first Urban Superchargers
Japanese researchers redesign electric car to go farther than ever before on a single charge
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Toyota City civil servant arrested for using government access to run a detective agency
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new S’mores Frappuccino and latte for Christmas 2025
Tokyo’s amazing 2D Cafe looks like an illustration, but it’s an actual restaurant you can eat in!
How Mr. Sato got his senbero groove back【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
How to put together a senbero drinking/snack session at Japan’s 100-yen convenience store【Photos】
All cars in Japan to have systems preventing accidents from gas/brake pedal mistakes by 2028
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply