EV start ups in trouble in China

The Byton K-Byte electric sedan Photo: Byton

Although the future is green and electric, the coronavirus pandemic is shaking out a raft of electric vehicle (EV) start-ups in China who had been inspired by Tesla’s success. 

Generous subsidies were also given out by the China government and these are tapering off. 

In June three EV startups folded. Two were high profile and one of them, Bordrin, was founded by an ex Ford senior engineer.  

Sales of Bordrin cars were due to begin in early 2020 but the company now suspended trading. 


Another, Byton, set up in 2017 by two BMW veterans, had planned to get its M-Byte electric crossover selling in China in 2020 and Europe in large 2021, but has now halted operations. 

In May, EV deliveries contracted for the 11th month in row, due to the double whammy of reduced consumer demand from the coronavirus and big cuts in the government subsidies. 

It is estimated that just one in five EV start ups will survive until the end of next year