GM to offer “NEV subsidy” in China on Buick Velite plug-in

GM expects to roll out over 10 New Energy Vehicles in China over the coming five years.

GM filling the void after Chinese gov’t cut EV subsidies

On Tuesday, General Motors said it will offer a 36,000 yuan ($5,233) discount to Chinese buyers of the GM Velite plug-in hybrid car.

The American automaker said it would offer the New Energy Vehicle subsidy after the Chinese government said it would scale back subsidies to EV buyers.

GM made the announcement that the Velite will go on sale in China later this year at an event prior to the Shanghai auto show this week.

In a story by Green Car Reports, Elizabeth Winter, from GM’s global advanced-technology communications group said “Over the next five years, we will roll out more than 10 New Energy Vehicles in China, including several models for Buick.” Winter added “That includes full hybrids, plug-in hybrids, extended-range electrics, and more.”

The Velite gets power from an electric battery system that is recharged using a small gasoline engine.

According to the Green Car report the Velite concept car reflects a new vehicle using Volt underpinnings or the Velite name will be applied to the existing Volt.

A production version of the Velite would likely use the same powertrain as the Volt, which includes a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a T-shaped, 18.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.