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Welcome > Themes > Hybrid & Electric > Opinion > THE BURNING ISSUE 2: Electric vehicles headed for a breakthrough or the dustbin?

THE BURNING ISSUE 2: Electric vehicles headed for a breakthrough or the dustbin?

Stefan Saalmink, MindsinMotion.net <stefan.saalminkSPAMFILTER@mindsinmotion.net>

Friday 19 September 2008

Are initiatives such as "Project Better Place" and the announcement of the Electric Car Europe coalition signs of a real EV breakthrough or just more short-lived hype?

A troubled childhood

Electric vehicles have been around for a while, and on several occasions, EVs seemed to be on the verge of breaking into the mass market. What was wrong with the Toyota RAV EV that was available between 1997 and 2003? And didn’t GM’s EV1 deserve more than being scrapped?

Pioneers, but not settlers

In a recent article about the IEA/IA-HEV implementing agreement, we wrote about Annex XIV, one of its projects that examines the market deployment of hybrids and EVs. It questions why many electric vehicle start-ups were successful in producing technically-reliable "pioneer" models, but failed to deliver to the mass market. The results have not been published yet, but IA-HEV’s 2007 Annual Report addresses some of the main barriers still to be surmounted in its "Outlook for hybrid and electric vehicles" chapter.

Barriers for vehicle buyers:

  • For a large proportion of the vehicle-buying public, purchase price is the most important criterion when choosing a vehicle. The general public is not aware of the vehicle life cycle costs and how these costs compare among different propulsion alternatives. Because of the higher price of hybrid and electric vehicles, most buyers choose a conventional vehicle.
  • The range of the electric vehicle is perceived as being too short, even though it is sufficient for the majority of vehicle trips.
  • In certain markets there is a lack of confidence in EVs, which is the result of battery problems in the past. Consumers’ doubts persist, despite the fact that these problems have been successfully eliminated.

Barriers for vehicle producers:

  • As with any new technology, the standardization of hybrid and electric vehicle components and test methods are not as mature as for conventional vehicles. Production facilities have to be developed and investments have to be made. This is a barrier that prevents the industry from building an efficient profit chain.
  • Because it takes time to develop new vehicles and build up the production and maintenance infrastructure, manufacturers are not yet always able to supply sufficient numbers of vehicles to meet the demands of a surging market.

Weigh in on the debate

What is your opinion? Will these barriers be overcome and will we witness an increase in the popularity of the EV anytime soon?

Share your thoughts below!

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Comments

ClimateChangeCorp article

Stefan Saalmink

Wednesday 01 October 2008

Just linked to an article at ClimateChangeCorp where the author, mr. Proctor, mentions another barrier:

"there are still major obstacles blocking the mass de-carbonisation of the car – problems of technology, cost, and infrastructure. Just as important, a major, urgent overhaul of transport and fiscal policies will be needed if the pioneering efforts of a few companies are to convert the automotive industry to electricity on a scale that impacts significantly on oil demand."

I guess transport and fiscal policies can be considered a significant barrier indeed...

More and link to the article can be found here:
http://www.mindsinmotion.net/index.php/mim/themes/hybrid_electric/links/is_the_future_electric

@Cynthia: Marketing... of what?

EReichardt

Tuesday 30 September 2008

I'm not quite sure I agree with a lack of marketing being the main barrier hampering a breakthrough of new technologies. Yes, it ís important that consumers are aware of the alternatives, but first and foremost the alternatives need to be good or rather better than the options they are meant to replace. First develop a good solution, then market it properly.

I think the main barriers from a consumer's point of view are price, availability and fitting it in into one's life. I would like an EV right away. But where do I buy one? I'm not going to buy a VW Golf and swap its complete drivetrain (cost!). And where do I plug it in? Does the ADAC help me if my EV breaks down? Can I recharge at a gas station if needed? It's simply too much of a hassle to make it a practical solution for my mobility needs.

I need a message from electricity producers and a bunch of vehicle manufacturers (and others) that they are ready for it (not telling me I may be able to buy a vehicle in 2010). I want to buy an EV package, including a vehicle, charging infrastructure and information, road assistance, et cetera. Iron out the details for consumers, make it easy for them, and they'll jump on board.

- - Eric

EV and Hybrid

Cynthia/ Amazone Verkoop

Monday 29 September 2008

I guess, that these barriers do exist.
But the biggest barrier I see, is the fact that, like with all sustainable energy products and concepts, producers fail to do invest in good, widespread marketing and communication. For too long they have been either "to shy" or turn to the wrong organisations (more often single people) for sales.
But I also see a big opportunity for EV and hybrid vehicles of all sorts. There is a sense of rebellion in the air. More and more people are fed up with the big companies and their shortsighted "let's keep the shareholders pleased mentality". More and more people are looking for what's real in life and want to be selfsufficient from large energycompanies and other utilities. Sustainability is hot, fun and sexy. Let's all be rebels and spread the joy and fun and give multinationals a run for their money..........

And as far as the looks of the websiteeditor is concerned........just as goodlooking as this Amazone?

EVs

Aaron

Monday 29 September 2008

I feel like the reason that EVs have not yet caught on is that despite the fact that you can build a few at a high cost they have not yet found out how to create many at a low enough cost that, though higher than a normal vehicle, it could make sense when the life cycle costs are considered. Yes fueling an EV would be cheaper, but what about the fact that they need new batteries every what five years? ten years? and those are very expensive. Also, I hear that the editor of this website is very good looking.