BYD begins to sell E6 electric car in China

BYD (1211.HK), the Chinese automaker part-owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.NYSE), began selling its all-electric E6 in the country in an effort to lead China’s alternative-energy vehicle market, Bloomberg reported. The Shenzhen-based company said the E6 comes with a price tag of US$58,200, and a range of 188 miles per charge. Buyers in Shenzhen will qualify for around US$18,883.07 in subsidies, according to Li Ganming, a deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission’s Shenzhen branch. Buyers in Shanghai and four other cities can get up to US$9,441.53.  “The E6’s business success will hinge on the availability of infrastructure and continuous improvements such as reducing weight of the battery,” said John Zeng, an analyst at J.D. Power & Associates. Beijing aims to have one million electric-powered vehicles on the road by 2015.