- Title: Electric cars in spotlight as Paris auto show opens
- Date: 29th September 2016
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) SIGN FOR PARIS AUTO SHOW ENTRANCE TO SHOW VISITORS GOING THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS VARIOUS OF PEUGEOT CARS HOSTESSES STANDING NEAR CARS BMW CARS VARIOUS OF PLUG-IN HYBRID BMW MODELS ELECTRIC PLUG VOLKSWAGEN GOLF / VOLKSWAGEN LOGO ELECTRIC VOLKSWAGEN PROTOTYPE REPORTERS WATCHING AUDI LOGO REPORTER TAKING PICTURES OF CAR VARIOUS OF OPEL CARS VARIOUS OF CAR SHOW VARIOUS OF OPEL'S NEW ELECTRIC AMPERA-E CAR CAMERAMAN AT WORK JAGUAR CARS EXTERIOR OF AUTO SHOW PAVILION
- Embargoed: 14th October 2016 09:44
- Keywords: Cars auto show Paris France electric vehicle
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA00151MCKEF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Electric car prototypes and plans look set to dominate this year's auto show in Paris when it opened to media on Thursday (September 29) as the Volkswagen diesel scandal and falling battery costs persuade executives and investors that plug-in vehicles are ready to go mainstream.
The expected flurry of announcements signals a threat to pioneers of the current generation of battery-powered cars, such as Tesla and Renault-Nissan, who will now have to work harder to defend their lead.
VW is leading the charge, keen to turn a page after its exposure last year as a U.S. emissions test cheat. The German carmaker will showcase new electric vehicle (EV) architecture underpinning a staggering June pledge to achieve annual sales of 2 million-3 million electric cars by 2025.
The show opened one day after Volkwagen Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said he is hopeful the German automaker can reach agreement by the end of the year with the U.S. government on the size of a fine to settle a criminal investigation of the company's alleged violations of U.S. clean air laws.
BMW bosses are staying home to thrash out plans to follow their i3 electric mini with an expanded EV lineup, people familiar with the matter said.
They are not the only executives taking a pass on Paris - where the outcry over "dieselgate" and weak emissions regulation has sharpened enthusiasm for electrified motoring. Ford and Volvo are among the absentees.
As if to underline growing hostility towards combustion engines in congestion-clogged cities, the French capital held its biggest ever "Car-Free Day" the Sunday before the show. Lawmakers voted the following day to pedestrianise the Seine's right bank, permanently closing a major traffic artery. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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