With launch of Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf EV market is about to explode. Higher gasoline prices and government incentives for EVs means good business for next few years. But is the Complete electric vehicle way to go forward?. It sounds a perfect solution but not in near term. Maybe once technology in battery evolves and allows to store more energy in less space then we can think of 100% electric cars. Till then we have to live with hybrids. Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt. Many others like Ford, Honda driving in with their plug in hybrids as well so 2011 will be exciting year for auto industry.
I prefer Toyota Prius like hybrid and one that they will be launching in 2012. Hybrid which can run up to 10 miles on electricity and will have full gasoline engine is wise solution for current market. The cost of such vehicle will be less as you will be having less amount of batteries and it will also help in improving overall efficiency. I believe full electric is the way to go ahead but in stage manner.
Chevy Volt is a having engine but it is used to charge the batteries and not drive the car. It is good concept but due to that the overall price of the car goes up very high. I think hybrid car that can be used as normal car will be good success in short term. Car that can run on gas even without charging will give comfort to people to shift from their existing cars to such hybrids. The cost of such cars will also be less as battery which accounts for 50% for electric car’s cost is small in size.
At low speeds and traffic situations electric motor is the best option and at highways gasoline works fine. Car that merges these two (like Prius) will be very helpful in attracting masses to such cars. (Still hybrids are less than 3% of total vehicles). Nissan claims that 100% electric is the only car which is actually totally green. I think Green and eco friendly differently. Considering cost of Nissan leaf and Chevy Volt very few will actually buy these cars. And many buyers will be second car buyers. So this will not help environment directly. A car which can improve efficiency of gasoline engine by 25% and is affordable will be far more eco friendly on sheer numbers.
Jury is still out and experts have different opinions. So let us see how 2011 brings changes in Auto and EV market.
Sources: News about Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and Prius from different websites, Bloomberg report on EV market, Car reviews by CNN.
Signing Off
Nikhil Parchure
.jpg)
I agree, the Leaf and Volt look like they are going to be too expensive to justify trading in my old car; I will not make up any savings on gas. So I think the best way to market these new cars is to sell them by the fleet to businesses who send staff out into the field. I would like to see them available at rental car agencies, so I could try one next time I am on a business trip.
ReplyDelete