China drives electric

The 2004 Michelin Challenge for sustainable mobility was held last week in Shanghai. More than 150 vehicles took part with 70 of them electric-driven, of which 46 were built in China.

The high number of battery electric, hybrid-electric and fuel cell-electric cars showed the access to advanced technology enjoyed by Chinese carmakers and academic institutions.

North American, Japanese and European electric-drive entrants included Audi, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Ford, Toyota, Volvo, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai, and Nissan. Michelin, which founded and sponsors the annual event, entered its own EV’s, built in cooperation with Swiss-based PSI.