Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular with fleet operators, like taxi companies. They are attracted by gas savings and lower maintenance costs, but local governments are also seeing opportunities to reduce air pollution in city centers with important taxi presence.

Beijing, which has one of the most important taxi fleets in the world, becomes the latest municipality to announce plans to convert all its taxis to electric cars. expand full story

As we discussed in the past, the Tesla Model X is expected to be popular in China – in part due to its new air filtration system (though it’s now also available with the Model S). Now Tesla is about to start deliveries in the country and it will establish ‘operational headquarters’ in Beijing to manage its expansion in the country. expand full story

While some (including myself) were disapointed when Hyundai confirmed that its first all-electric vehicle, the Ioniq, will only have about 110 miles of EPA-rated range, we can now find some comfort in the fact that the Korean automaker plans for its next all-electric vehicle to have almost twice as much range as the Ioniq. expand full story

Vokswagen sent out a press release this morning with new images to tease an upcoming electric plug-in hybrid SUV concept to be unveiled at the Beijing Auto show next week.

The company describes the concept as a “premium SUV’ and it will release the concept under its VW brand – even though Volkswagen as another premium electric SUV, although all-electric, coming out under its luxury brand: Audi. expand full story

If you are in China and you want a Model S, you now have a website to use. Have at it. Wondering why Tesla is called Tuosule in China? Some local guy squatted on the name rights to Tesla and wants $30M for it. Tesla offered $3M but no dice. Good for them. expand full story