Electric vehicles charged up for the long haul in HK

An impressive range of new electric vehicles went on display at the Geneva International Motor Show this week. How much interest they will generate among Hongkongers is questionable, however, given the government’s flip-flop approach to plug-in motoring. Local hopes for cleaner, quieter roads may be short-lived. On February 23, the government announced that from April Fool’s Day, the first-registration tax of electric private cars would be waived up from zero to HK$97,500. The future of plug-in power in Hong Kong is now uncertain – just as carmakers rolled out four beautiful electric vehicles – and a smart locally-funded hybrid.

The big-grilled saloon is powered by a 30kwh grapheme enhanced super battery and a 60kw micro turbine power generator as its range extender, Hybrid Kinetic Group says. The micro turbine generator can charge the battery anywhere and anytime, and with a variety of fuels, which “removes the ‘range anxiety’ that has been the bottleneck for comparable existing EV’s”, the company says.

The H600 can also generate electricity for homes and communities “[as well as] charge other electric vehicles”, it says. “New energy vehicles such as H600 will fundamentally change the status quo of electric vehicles’ reliance on charging infrastructure, electric grid support, and government subsidies.”

Singapore’s electric Dendrobium concept is named after an orchid – the showy doors resembling its petals. It promises a top speed of over 320km/h and 100km/h in under three seconds, and is produced by electric mobility specialist Vanda Electrics. The company makes an electric light commercial vehicle and plug-in mini scooter.

The two-seater Dendrobium’s design “improves access to the cockpit” and includes a charging-status light; a driver-focused dashboard and a sleek carbon-fibre body on 20- and 21-inch wheels, the company says. Singapore’s hypercar concept also has a central rear light that evokes the jet age.

Renault’s carbon-fibre, kevlar-bodied Zoe e-Sport has twin electric motors that rev 460 horsepower, 640 Newton metres of torque and reach 100km/h in about 3.2 seconds. The 1,400kg e-Sport is lower than the fuel-driven Zoe, on 20-inch wheels and with a wider track than the standard saloon. It has a new Z.E.40 battery offering a “real-world range of around [297km] in summer and [198km] in winter”, according to the French carmaker.