china seen as potential electric car hub - battery management unit

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters)-
The head of the battery division at Johnson Controls Inc. believes that China's adoption of electric vehicles may be faster than elsewhere, because China's size and dependence on transporting gasoline are relatively high
Alex Molinaroli, president of Power Solutions, said the Chinese government may provide cars to many automakers across the country through policies.
3 billion people now rely on bicycles and scooters.
"This will be the next step from some vehicles,but)
This may not be an acceptable means of transport for both Western Europe and the United States. S.
Molinoli said at the Reuters Global Environment Summit on Tuesday.
"They can't go around by bike, they can't afford to buy cars for $20,000 to $30,000, but they have to get people around.
Morinoli hopes to see a golf cart
Like vehicles not allowed in the United States. S.
His department owns the Shanghai Technology Center and has reached a development agreement with auto makers SAIC and Chery Automobile.
"They look like there will be a big difference, the vehicles there, but it will scale up there faster than the rest of the world," said Molinaroli, adding that, given the latest developments in India's population and automotive industry, India should also be ahead.
"If one of the 100 people in the world finally chooses electric vehicles, then just the numbers show that China and India will have a real place in it," he said in a telephone interview . ".
He pointed to Nano, a four.
Tata Motors Ltd. , India, this year unveiled the world's cheapest car for $2,000. plus range.
While it's not electric, it shows how cars in China and India can be produced at very different cost structures.
Buffett agrees with the potential of emerging markets, according to a division of investment guru Berkshire Hathaway recently acquired a 10% stake in China's battery maker BYD.
Another advantage in China is that China's new electric vehicle infrastructure has relatively few gas stations to compete with, says Molinaroli. "They are not chasing their legacy costs.
"Johnson Control Co. , Ltd. has a joint venture with France's Saft to produce lithium-
Ion batteries for hybrid cars cost $4.
In the 3 billion fiscal year, 2007 of revenue came from batteries, but few of them came from the developing hybrid battery business.
Ultimately, in addition to the European factory, Molinaroli is expected to produce batteries in factories near customers in North America and China.
But he played down the possibility of working with Korean or Japanese battery manufacturers.
"Of course we know that Korea and Japan are strong competitors," he said . "
"But day after day, we don't see them as the most obvious logical next partner.