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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.

Hyundai Ioniq hybrid and EV sales begin this month

South Korean automaker Hyundai will start selling its Ioniq hybrid and electric-vehicle variants at some US dealerships by the end of the month. While reports have surfaced saying the Ioniqs may be available as soon as this week, Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor confirmed to Autoblog that the Ioniq EV and hybrid would arrive at dealers towards the end of February. California will be the primary EV target from launch, naturally. Hyundai got some good news in late December when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Ioniq Hybrid's combined fuel efficiency at 55 miles per gallon, or three mpg ahead of the standard 2017 Toyota Prius hatchback. Less rosy is the Ioniq EV's single-charge range, which falls well short of the magic 200-mile number reached by Chevrolet's recently-debuted Bolt, checking in at 124 miles. Still, the Ioniq EV trumps the Chevrolet Bolt in terms of miles-per-gallon-equivalent (i.e. electricity used per mile), getting a 136-mpge combined rating versus the Bolt's 119. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid (or the "Blue") gets 58 mpg combined and can go as far as 31 miles on electricity alone. That variant may see the light of day as soon as September. The automaker first showed off versions of the four-door sedan at last year's New York Auto Show. Hyundai, which currently sells a hybrid version of the Sonata, is planning to have as many as 14 electrified-powertrain vehicles by 2020. Green-car watchers are hoping the Ioniq EV and hybrids won't be low-volume affairs and will add to the momentum already generated this year by the introduction of the Bolt as well as higher demand for models such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid. Last month, total US green-car sales were up about 27 percent from a year earlier, while plug-in sales surged 74 percent. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Hyundai Ioniq: New York 2016 View 11 Photos Image Credit: Drew Phillips Green Hyundai AutoblogGreen Exclusive Hatchback Electric Hybrid hyundai ioniq hyundai ioniq electric hyundai ioniq plug-in

Hyundai dumps Genesis Coupe for upscale model

Hyundai has confirmed that it is killing off the Genesis Coupe after the 2016 model year. A replacement for the coupe is expected to come after 2017, but it will fit into the automaker's luxury sub-brand, Genesis. "In regards to the Genesis Coupe, 2016 will in fact be the last model year for this popular, rear-drive sporty coupe," Christine Henley, Product PR Manager for Hyundai, told Autoblog. The vehicle is being replaced by something that fits better into the new Genesis brand's lineup. "A new, more sophisticated and luxurious coupe appropriate for the new Genesis brand is currently under development." Previous rumors surmised that the coupe will get a 3.3-liter turbocharged engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive. Inspiration for the upcoming coupe could come from the Hyundai HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept that was revealed a few years ago. Currently, Genesis offers the 2017 G80 midsize sedan and flagship G90 sedan. A luxurious, sporty coupe would fit perfectly in between these two vehicles to compete with more established luxury coupe players, as well as newer competitors like the Lexus RC and upcoming Infiniti Q60. Related Video: News Source: The Globe and Mail via The Truth About CarsImage Credit: Hyundai Genesis Hyundai Coupe Performance