Beijing had the best of intentions when it started to promote all-electric taxis in 2011. Not only would the green cars reduce the city's choking pollution, but they'd highlight its commitment to becoming a center of innovation. There was just one problem: cold weather.
Electric cars lose their charge quickly when temperatures drop, reducing their range, utility and — for taxi drivers — profitability. Just ask the unlucky souls driving them around Beijing this winter. According to local news media, they're shutting off battery-draining heaters and driving in heavy boots that — thanks to fares lost while charging their batteries — they can't really afford.
With a laudable commitment to the environment, Beijing still plans to replace the city's entire fleet of 67,000 gas-powered taxis with greener ones. But as with so many of China's renewable-energy initiatives, this one prioritizes symbolism and publicity over planning and practicality. The results are likely to be disappointing.