[dd74]

When Tianjin-Qingyuan puts its entirely battery-powered Saibao midsize sedan on sale this autumn, the body will come from a sedan that normally sells for $14,600 when equipped with a gasoline engine. But the engine and gas tank will be replaced with a $14,000 battery pack and electric motor, said Wu Zhixin, the company’s general manager.

That means the retail price will nearly double, to almost $30,000. Even if the government awards the maximum subsidy of $8,800 to buyers, that is a hefty premium.

Large-scale production could drive down the cost of the battery pack and electric motor by 30 or 40 percent, still leaving electric cars more expensive than gasoline-powered ones, Mr. Wu said.

So who in China can afford to buy this technology, let alone charge it as most people live in apartments?

Honestly, something doesn't add up. I think BYD and Mr. Wu already know they'll probably export this thing to Europe and America, where as has been proven before with Chinese economics, a country that is a "laggard" is fair game for Chinese profit. In the meantime, China's own people will be left in their smoggy lurch.

Whatever...

I'd rather walk than buy a Chinese electric car.