The US wants one million EVs on the road by 2015, while the Chinese want to manufacture one million EVs per year and have five million EVs on the road by 2020, which in my book means much the same as the US target. Both governments are pouring grants into the sector to support this with charging infrastructure.
The US Dept of Energy based their number on the automakers projections, roughly 50% of which come from GM'S Volt, 23% from Fisker (really?), 6% from Think and the balance made up from as yet to be declared sales numbers from Chrylser, BYD, Coda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Toyota, VW and Volvo.
To get things moving the US is planning to shift the $7,500 incentive from a tax credit to an on-the-spot rebate (discount) at the point and time of purchase. In a clear signal of intent, Obama has cut the 2012 Clean Diesel Programme from $80 m to zero. With battery costs set to decline 30% to 40% over the same period, that should make EVs very attractive to fleet buyers and private purchasers alike.
I have not seen any details on the Chinese government's target, presumably it will be part of a state plan for production and mandated accordingly to the country's fifty or so car makers. Wan Gang, China's Minister of Science and Technology is aiming for annual production of 1 million EVs per year by 2020 and roughly 1 million on the roads by 2015. A subsidy of approximately $9,000 per car is available to support this.
