Euro Automakers Cutting EVs Due to Low Sales

The market for electric cars in Europe is not as good as automakers initially expected. RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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and Audi are changing their strategies for electric vehicles due to low demand in the Europe. 

Renault is disapointed with pre-orders of the ZoeRenault ZoeFrance, 2012 > present7 photos
pure EV and are trying to find a strategy to boost sales. 

“We need to communicate the autonomy of the vehicles and let people know more about what they can do. I think people invent constraints the cars don’t have," said Renault marketing boss Stephen Norman.

Renault will market the Zoe by highlighting its low noise and precise engineering.

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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is cancelling the pure EV A2Audi A2 ConceptGermany, 2011 > 201114 photos
because of poor sales projections due to the car's high price. 

The A2 was scheduled to push the limits of efficient cars. The concept used an aluminum space frame with a lithium-ion battery sandwiched in the floor. It used a 114hp electric motor to power the front wheels with a 125-mile range. Charges would have taken about four hours. 

The original plans were to put the car on sale in 2015, and it would have competed against the BMW i3BMW i3Germany, 2011 > present26 photos
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. Audi plans to use the technology from the concept in future cars.

It is not only Europe where EVs are having problems. NissanNissan LEAFJapan, 2009 > present29 versions
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had initially expected to sell 20,000 Leafs in the US in 2012 and sold 6,791 through November. 

Source: Autocar (1,2)