China, Mahindra, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Hyundai.

China delays electric quota: German lobbying seems to have shown success as first details emerge from Foreign Minister Gabriel’s China tour – he speaks of a done deal on e-mobility and talks being “on the right way.” In more concrete terms, this means a delay of the 8% EV quota, which was planned for 2018 but is now most likely to be moved to 2019, according to Handelsblatt. The deal is said to also include transitional arrangements and even the obligation of installing R&D units on Chinese ground may be dispensable. While both the government and carmakers worked together to water down the rules, they were joined by internal forces as their concerns were echoed by Chinese manufacturers. Nonetheless, Beijing’s threat has worked and spurred the likes of Volkswagen and Mercedes to strengthen their JV activity. GM has meanwhile promised at least ten PEV for the Chinese market, while Honda too will use the red giant as testing ground for an electric car from next year.
dw.com, handelsblatt.com (original source, in German)

While the dragon may crouch, the tiger speeds up its electrification as India’s Mahindra lays out its Roadmap EV 2.0. Its electrification plan aims to double EV production capacity already this year and to further invest in electric drivetrains as well as charging infrastructure. Furthermore, Mahindra seeks to offer a three-wheeled EV within the next two months and to launch a bus with space for 32 passengers in about 18 months. Development of a 400km battery is well underway and may bear fruit in the second half of 2019, according to the company which has recently undergone a name change to Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd. to depict its endeavour to offer transport solutions.
electriccarsreport.com

Entry level EQ: Mercedes intends to put a new member of its EQ sub brand in the spotlights at the IAA, Autocar learnt. The concept is supposed to preview the future EQ A, Daimler’s entry-level model and pitched to rival the upcoming VW I.D. and BMW i3.
autocar.co.uk

Audi makes electric motors in Hungary: All of Audi’s upcoming EVs will be powered by tech build at the Hungarian factory Győr, Audi’s head in Hungary Peter Kössler said. He added that production is to start in about two weeks already.
bbj.hu

VW’s hybrid show cars: The German carmaker caught the audience’s attention at the annual Worthersee GTI meeting by presenting its Golf GTE Variant impulsE as well as the Golf GTI First Decade. The first is a hybrid with upgraded battery capacity (from 8.8 to 18.8kWh), the latter a 404bhp hybrid version of the Golf GTI that is capable of driving solely electric, too.
greencarcongress.com, autoexpress.co.uk, carscoops.com

Hyundai has launched its first electric bus Elec City as planned with a 256kWh battery pack for a said range of 290 km. Production is set for 2018 but price information has not been provided.
theinvestor.co.kr, koreatimes.co.kr