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Tesla poaches Renault-Nissan communications boss Sproule

Need another sign that Tesla is growing into a force to be reckoned with? Bloomberg reports it has just snagged high-profile communications boss Simon Sproule from Renault-Nissan to become the EV maker's vice president of communications and marketing.
Sproule is an industry veteran, having spent 20 years at Nissan (where he grew to become CEO Carlos Ghosn's right-hand man). In addition, he logged stints at Ford, Jaguar (when it was still a Blue Oval-owned brand) and Microsoft. Despite all that experience, Sproule is still young, at just 45 years of age, as Bloomberg points out, yet he's held positions in the US, Japan and France over the years.
This is all good news for Tesla, which is in need of a strong spokesman outside of company CEO Elon Musk. It's been battling with the state of New Jersey and its governor, Chris Christie, over direct sales in the Garden State.

Recharge Wrap-up: Electric Bayliner conversion, China considers EV mandates

An electric mobility enthusiast converted a Bayliner boat to electric power. Using 10 Tesla modules to build a 32-kWh battery pack, Scott Masterson's 2016 Bayliner 175 now uses an electric motor in place of the original 3.0-liter Mercruiser engine. With a top speed of about 53 mph and a range of about 25 miles, Masterson can enjoy a nice cruise on the water without the accompanying gas fumes. He says the conversion wasn't all that complicated, and it took him about three months of part-time work. Check it out in the video above, and read more at Electrek. Audi's updates to the 2017 A3 include the E-Tron plug-in hybrid. Inside the car, it will likely get Audi's "Virtual Cockpit" instrument display. The MMI infotainment system will be updated, with available Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality. Slight changes to the headlights, taillights, and grille will make up the bulk of the exterior visual changes. Its powertrain will remain unaltered from the 2016 model, including its 83 MPGe combined rating and 16 miles of all-electric driving range. Read more at Green Car Reports. Hyundai has delivered its first hydrogen-powered car to Quebec. The Centre de Gestion de l'Equipment Roulant (Rolling Stock Management Center), which manages the province's government fleets, took delivery of a 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell. It is leased in partnership with the University of Quebec's Hydrogen Research Institute of Trois-Rivieres, where the vehicle will be refueled. Read more from Green Car Congress. China is considering mandates for cleaner cars similar to those imposed by California. Unlike its current subsidy-based incentives, China could potentially require automakers to either produce or import more electric vehicles or purchase carbon credits from automakers that do. A draft of the legislation from the National Development and Reform Commission would fine non-compliant automakers at five times the price of the credits. "Without question, this will be good for the industry and will promote the development of all types of clean-energy vehicles," says China Association of Automobile Manufacturers Deputy Secretary General Ye Shengji. Compliance would be voluntary for smaller automakers. Read more from Automotive News.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Model X wins Golden Steering Wheel, Norway extends EV tax break

The Tesla Model X has won the "Golden Steering Wheel" award for best SUV from Auto Bild. The German publication's readers nominated and jury selected the EV for its powerful electric powertrain, "futuristic cabin," and falcon wing doors among other things. Tesla accepted the award with enthusiasm, saying, "Today, we are truly honored to announce that Model X has been awarded the Golden Steering Wheel (Das Goldene Lenkrad), one of the most prestigious automotive awards in the world." Tesla goes on to note the many challenges it faced and the updates it has made to its electric SUV. Read more at Teslarati, or from Tesla. Renault faces a criminal investigation over diesel emissions after a consumer watchdog sent its findings to prosecutors. The French government says that now that findings from DGCCRF are in their hands, "It is now up to the courts to determine what further action to take over the suspected breaches." After Renault reprogrammed its exhaust gas recirculation system after problems with clogging turbochargers, the affected cars pass room-temperature tests, but apparently spew more NOx emissions in real-world driving. Read more at Automotive News Europe. Norway has decided to keep tax exemptions for EVs until 2020. The country was set to phase out the VAT exemptions that made electric cars so popular in the country, but with goals for 100 percent electric car sales by 2025, the country has reportedly passed a resolution to keep the incentive in place. It will allow buyers to continue to save money on cleaner cars while allowing time for electric vehicles to reach more competitive pricing with traditionally powered cars. Norway leads the world with 28.8 percent of sales being plug-ins, with pure EVs taking a 19 percent share as of September 2016. Read more at Electrek. Featured Gallery 2016 Tesla Model X: First Drive View 31 Photos News Source: Teslarati, Tesla, Automotive News Europe, ElectrekImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Government/Legal Green Tesla Renault Emissions Green Automakers Diesel Vehicles Electric recharge wrapup