Electric car sales have picked up, powered by new tax incentives which kicked in last month. LTA figures show 60 full-electric cars were registered in Jan – nearly two-thirds of full-year registrations for such vehicles in 2020. On a monthly basis, Jan’s 60 units far outpaced 2020’s monthly average of 8.3 units. The sharp rise in sales has to do with the EEAI and the enhanced VES. Both took effect from Jan 1, 2021, and together offer electric car buyers up to $45,000 in tax breaks. MG took the top spot among brands with electric models for both Jan 2021 and full-year 2020. The China-owned brand registered 17 and 34 units in the two periods, respectively. Tesla took the No. 2 spot in 2020 with 20 cars, while China’s BYD was runner-up last month with 15 cars. Overall, 2020 ended with 100 electric car registrations. Observers believe this year’s total will be vastly greater as more brands bring in electric models. Newcomers include Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Opel. And those which already selling here will expand their line-up, including Audi, MG and BMW. Tesla’s direct sales, which started two weeks ago, is also expected to fuel the take-up rates.... Continue Reading