U.S. dealers are set to sell Chinese electric vehicles [View All]

[jpak]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060824/FREE/60821008/1041/MICROSITE

A little-known company, Miles Automotive Group, is importing electric vehicles from China. In the process, it is challenging two widespread assumptions about the auto industry.

One is that Chinese-built vehicles are a long way from satisfying U.S. regulatory requirements and consumer tastes. The other is that vehicles powered only by batteries are unlikely ever to provide full functionality.

"The skepticism is totally reasonable," says Miles Automotive CEO David Hirsch. "California is littered with charging stations" for electric vehicles that didn't meet expectations, he says.

Still, Miles has certified an electric neighborhood runabout for sale in the United States "to get a foot into the market," Hirsch says. And it is conducting certification tests of a highway-capable electric vehicle that uses advanced lithium-ion batteries. Miles says the latter will achieve a top speed of 80 mph and have a range of at least 200 miles.

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