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SAN FRANCISCO AUTO SHOW WILL HAVE RECORD AMOUNT OF ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES ON DISPLAY

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 14, 2017 –The 60^th Annual San Francisco International Auto Show will be an E-vent. With the “E” representing the latest in Electric and hybrid vehicles.

More zero emission vehicles and their hybrid cousins will be featured than ever before in the displays of major manufacturers from around the world, when the San Francisco Auto Show opens Nov. 18 at Moscone Convention Center.

“The show is the ideal place to introduce the 2018 electric cars and hybrids to the greater Bay Area,” said Kevin Diamond, show director. “Californians buy half of all plug-ins sold in the United States.”

State officials want even more EVs on the California roads, aiming to reduce by half the number of gas-powered vehicles on state roads by 2030. The goal took a hit this month when the new federal tax plan was unveiled eliminating the federal tax credit for electric vehicles.

However, Assembly bill 1184, sponsored by Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), would reduce the adverse impact on sales, at least in California, by dramatically increasing the current state rebates on zero emission vehicles, (ZEVs).

“Electric vehicles and ZEVs are our future,” said Ting. “Over the last few years, California has aggressively worked to reduce our greenhouse gases, and transportation emits 39 percent of them.

“AB 1184 sits on the Senate floor ready to move forward. We are working with stakeholders during the recess and hope to find an agreement to move the bill to the Governor’s desk. With $3 billion of ZEV incentives between 2019 and 2030, I believe we can get 1.5 million ZEVs on the road by 2025 and hopefully, 5 million by 2030.

“Without aggressive action on our passenger vehicle fleet, we will never be able to clean our air and achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

General Motors supports tax credits.

“Tax credits are an important customer benefit that can help accelerate the acceptance of E-vehicles,” said Chevrolet spokesman Shad Balch. “Because General Motors believes in an all-electric future, we will work with Congress to explore ways to maintain this incentive.”

California is an important market for the giant car company.

“California has the most EVs on the road of any state and that is due in large part to the success of the Bolt,” said Balch.

“With a price point of around $30,000, (after the $7,500 tax credits) and a range of 238 miles, the Bolt is the EV for everybody.”

Bolt’s major competitors include the BMW i3, Toyota’s Prius and Nissan’s Leaf.

The 2018 Nissan Leaf has a redesigned exterior and a significantly longer range, from 80 to 150 miles, than the 2017 model, with a base price of $29,990 before the federal tax credit—an advantage should the GOP pass its tax plan as proposed.

“Since it was launched in 2010, the Leaf has been the number one affordable, mass-produced EV,” said Jannelle Grigsby, Nissan’s West Coast public relations manager.

Nonetheless, Nissan also supports tax credit incentives.

“Nissan has made significant investments in the development of market-leading electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure to support EV drivers,” said Josh Clifton, senior manager, product and technology communications.

“We support continuing measures that help encourage greater adoption of EVs given the benefits they can provide such as lowering vehicle emissions and reducing America’s dependency on foreign energy sources.”

International demand for ZEVs and hybrids will not be affected if Congress chops the federal tax credit.

China, which already leads the world in EV sales, wants five million electric cars or hybrids on its roads by 2020. Norway announced in July its intention to phase out sales of all new diesel or gas-powered cars by 2025. France and the United Kingdom have announced bans on sales of new gas or diesel vehicles, starting in 2040.

Volvo, which is owned by Geely Holding Group, a Chinese multinational auto manufacturer, announced in July its intention to produce nothing but EVs and hybrids, starting in 2020.

To learn more about the future of EVs and hybrids, visit the 60^th Annual San Francisco Auto Show. Manufacturer representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

The San Francisco Chronicle 60^th Annual International Auto Show is presented by Golden 1 Credit Union and supported by the California New Car Dealers Association. The show opens Saturday, Nov. 18 and runs through the Thanksgiving weekend concluding on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 at Moscone Center. It will feature the 2018 model vehicles representing the work of 35 global manufacturers. The San Francisco Auto Show is the Bay Area’s largest and most prestigious auto exposition and is the only auto show held regionally that lures the dazzling high-tech manufacturer displays.

Show hours are:

Saturday, Nov. 18: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 19 – Thursday, Nov 23: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday Nov. 24 – Saturday, Nov. 25: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 26: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information visit www.sfautoshow.com

CONTACTS:

Kevin Diamond
Office: 415-331-4406
Mobile: 415-729-6011
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Amy Foley
Mobile: 619-886-4969
Email: [email protected]

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