Ford offers free charging stations for vans; China subsidizes green vehicles

(Ford)

Free chargers
Ford says it will provide free charging stations to nearly 4,600 of its first Transit Connect Electric van customers. Under the program, residents, businesses and municipalities in nine designated markets -- including Redmond -- could receive a free charging station with the purchase of one of the vans (shown above). The hardware would average about $1,000 for the typical home.

The all-electric BYD e6 would be eligible for subsidies. (Alexander F. Yuan / The Associated Press)

China subsidies
China has begun paying subsidies of up to 60,000 yuan ($8,784) a car to manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles on a trial basis in five cities. Separately, private buyers of such cars can get a 3,000 yuan ($440) subsidy from dealers, the Ministry of Finance announced this month.

--The Associated Press