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Two wheels for four [Hull Daily Mail (England)](Hull Daily Mail (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) It is possibly the ultimate accessory for the Audi owner about town - a fold-away electric mini-scooter, branded with the German company's name and logo, which can be tucked away in a corner of the boot until needed. But any UK Audi-philes who have the idea of buying one will have to go to Germany, because that is where all 500 that have been ordered are up for sale. The Patgear scooters are produced by the Taiwan company Dijiya Energy Saving Tech and, without Audi branding, are available all around the world. Dijiya has already sold 16,000 and plans to increase production to 50,000 a year within the next five years, half of which will be destined for Europe. They offer a range of up to 12.5 miles and can be fully recharged in less than three hours. Already Dijiya has orders from another premium German auto manufacturer, which intends to supply a mini e-scooter as part of the standard equipment with an electric car due to be launched later this year. Dijiya is also talking to other car companies about tie- up deals. Dijiya is primarily a battery manufacturer, designing, making, branding and marketing everything from individual cells to the finished products for cars, buses, commercial vehicles and homes. It has plants in Taiwan and China, which turn out nearly 100,000 amp-hours of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries per day. It supplied the batteries for the Think City car, which ceased production in 2012 after its Norwegian creators ran into financial difficulties. Now it sees potential to supply batteries for e-buses in China, with possible volumes of 48,000 over the next three years, and has the long-term goal of possibly expanding into electric car manufacture. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |