AP, PARISThe Renault-Nissan alliance is sharply ramping up production of electric cars, vowing 12 new models by 2022 and to make electric cars 30 percent of its overall output. The automakers — who collectively sold more vehicles than any other company in the world in the first half of this year — also announced plans to make a “robo-taxi,” driverless public transport vehicles and autonomous cars aimed at the mass market. The announcements are part of an overall strategic plan released yesterday aimed at taking advantage of the alliance’s growing reach after taking over Mitsubishi last year to consolidate its position and make electric and driverless cars more affordable. The alliance aims to increase the range of its electric cars to more than 600km and shorten the time it takes to charge. It also said it is seeking to be a “key operator” of driverless ride-hailing services and to provide autonomous vehicles for public transit and car-sharing.

Source: Taipei Times September 15, 2017 16:04 UTC