China’s BYD Auto is expected to start market testing of its e6 electric car in the USA beginning next year.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, testing will begin after more than a year’s delay with the company also in talks with officials in Los Angeles about the possibility of supplying e-buses that could even lead to a manufacturing plant in the city.
It states that Stella Li, the senior vice president and head of US operations, said the hold-up was caused by BYD’s efforts to add more space to the car which was initially cramped because of the large battery pack that is stored under the seat. She reportedly stated that the delay had nothing to do with a possible intellectual infringement on battery technology by BYD.
Now the plan is to ship as many as 50 e6 electric cars by the end of next year to customers in Southern California.
The company has already started to sell the e6 to taxi operators in Shenzhen and is collecting data in an effort to improve the car. It is expected that the vehicle will be made available for private buyers in 2012.
