International Panorama of R&D
about Electromobility
Jean-Charles Jacquemin
FUNDP (Namur)
January 17th 2011
Presentation
1.
Which panorama ? A mind mapping
structure.
2.
3.
The panorama 0 in its four dimensions
Main trends
1. Which panorama ?
Reminder :
New problem given the interaction between:




Techniques
Managerial aspects
Sociopolitical aspects
Economic issues
Implying the need for a
« holistic » survey
technological one.
global vision
and of an
rather than an only
Difficulties :
Too simple and overly structured
approach
2. Exponential growth of the number of
relevant informations
Leading to an
Accumulation of non correctly sorted
sources
1.
Answer
A mind mapping exercise to systematically
organize new information resources (texts, internet
links, images, …) leading eventually to a content
management system (CMS).
Mind mapping 2nd level
(1/3)
Mind mapping 3rd level
(2/3)
Mind mapping 4th level
(3/3), etc.
2. Panorama 0 : Synthetic Results
Technology
(1/27)
Electricity storage : Batteries
1.
The continuation of a pseudo Moore's law for batteries with second
generation silicon fibres : Nexeon has an objective of a 4Ah battery for
2011 (Starting from today's 3,2 Ah). Nexeon has developed and patented a
novel way of structuring silicon so that it delivers extended cycle life and
significantly increases anode charge capacity—almost ten times the
gravimetric capacity per gram (mAh g-1) compared to carbon anodes. Used
in combination with a standard cathode, this can increase cell capacity by
30-40%, Nexeon says. (link)
2.
The estimation that it will take 5 years to get competitive batteries. (link)
3.
The use of biochemistery to self assemble and to increase the battery
capacity (by a tenfold factor as estimated) through nonastructures created
by Bacillus subtilis bacteria or tobacco mosaic virus. (link)
Technology
(2/27)
Electricity storage : metal-air batteries
Some significative developments have been realized in the field of
air metal batteries.

1. The creation of a corporation that actually produces zinc
metal batteries ZINC AIR INC. (link)

2. The affirmation that zinc is largely more abundant and less
stategically sensible than lithium :"Worldwide resources of zinc total
more than 1.8 gigatonnes — with more than 35 percent of that in the United
States alone. Global zinc production in 21 months would be sufficient to
produce one billion 10 kWh zinc air batteries — by contrast it would take
180 years of lithium production to produce those same batteries. (…)
Lithium supply and future production will be far from adequate to sustain
global electric vehicle production.” (LLNL web site (link) )
Technology

(3/27)
3. The affirmation by Renault that :
"Renault’s next step is experimenting with all new chemistry, possibly zincair or zinc-silver, due in around 2025, which could boost EV range to 300
miles between charges." (link)

2. The affirmation by Ford Motor that :
“Lithium-ion air (Li-Air) is the current focus of Ford’s development efforts, as
it produces both a far greater realised galvimetric energy density (Wh/kg)
and far greater realised volumetric energy density (Wh/L) than Li-ion, Li
polymer, NiMH, NiCd, lead acid, or even gasoline or diesel.”(link)
Technology
(4/27)
Electricity storage : supercapacitors
Some significative developments have been realized in the field of
supercapacitors.
Researchers in the US have made a graphene-based
supercapacitor that can store as much energy per unit mass as nickel
metal hydride batteries - but unlike batteries, it can be charged or
discharged in just minutes or even seconds.
The new device has a specific energy density of 85.6 Wh/kg at room
temperature and 136 Wh/kg at 80 °C. These are the highest ever values for
"electric double layer" (…)
The new device was made by Bor Jang of US-based Nanotek Instruments
"Our goal is to make a supercapacitor that stores as much energy as the
best lithium-ion batteries (for the same weight) but which can still be
recharged in less than two minutes," said Jang." (link)
Technology
(5/27)
Recharging by wire :
An EDF information letter (File ) on electric mobility states that :
"The principal conclusions are that :
1. first off, given the current travel habits of French drivers, athome parking and at work parking would be more than
sufficient time for recharging vehicles at normal charge (3
kW);
2. and secondly, that lengths of time parked in public areas
would not allow for more than an emergency charge. »
Technology
(6/27)
Wireless recharging : Battery swapping (1/3)
1. The BSS (Battery swapping stations) are not so difficult to manage :
« On the stocking a large number of batteries, one switch station can
support hundreds of taxis. For example, if you have a lane in the switch
station that has 12 batteries, each being switched every 3 minutes, that
equals 20 cars that can be charged in hour off of 12 batteries. The batteries
are cycled through and quick charged in about 30 minutes as they come in,
so you won’t need to stock dozens. » (link)
2. The BSS are a technology supported by major actors : the Chinese,
Australian, Danish and Israeli governments, Renault, Chery and other
carmakers. (link)
Technology
(7/27)
Wireless recharging : Battery swapping (2/3)
3. Switching different battery types has been anticipated by
Betterplace (link)
4. Swapping batteries is the best solution for E-taxis and a deployment is
planned in the Bay Area (link) after the positive Tokyo experimentation (link)
"Since taxis drive nearly continuously, they require instant charge of their
battery to maintain quality of service and continue serving the public. Given
the taxi business, waiting three to four hours for standard charge is not an
option. Battery switch is the only option that allows the driver to recharge in
less time than it takes to refuel, the means of range extension for today’s
gas-powered taxis."
Technology
(8/27)
Wireless recharging : Battery swapping (3/3)
5. BSS are evaluated in the EU financed Project MERGE (link).
« While the investment in a station to replace batteries in urban areas,
covering a high number of EV, makes economic sense, the individual charger
is the solution that fits the rural areas better, as battery replacement
stations are likely to be economically unfeasible due the low geographic
density of EV. When EV are required to make long trips, battery replacement
stations will start appearing outside city areas, perhaps nearby main
roads. »
6. Swappable batteries have been installed in the PVI waste collecting trucks
that have been bought by SITA in France and will enter service in early
2011. (link)
Technology
(9/27)
Energy generation on board with fossil fuels
The concept of extended range has been industrially implemented in the
first commercially available car : the Chevrolet Volt and will be available in
Europe in the Opel Ampera, Tata introduces e-buses with onboard electricity
generation.
1. The commercial production of the Chevrolet Volt has begun on Nov.
30th. (link).
2. The family of E-rev cars counts a new member in Asia : a Proton (link).
3. Tata e-buses use a CNG generator on board (link) to extend the range.
4. The Hybrid light truck Bremach T-rex is also in production (link). For the
prospectus see the (file).
Technology
(10/27)
Type of vehicles : 2 wheels

E-bikes
See for instance this internet
catalog, their form, types, number
is exploding (link).
Technology
(11/27)
Type of vehicles : 2 wheels

E-scooters
See for instance this internet
catalog, their form, types,
number is exploding (link).
The Zappy (second picture) has
been choosen by the Charleroi
Hospital.
Technology
(12/27)
Type of vehicles : 3 wheelers
The Triac should be on the roads by the end of 2011. base price 25,000 $ before
fiscal incentives, range 100 miles, max speed 80 mph. For other characteristics see
the (link).
Technology
(13/27)
Type of vehicles : electric cars
(1/2)
A. The range extender technology has been developed (see above).
B. World premieres :

4. The first Nissan Leaf has been delivered to a consumer in California, and
the first 10 Nissan Leafs have been delivered in Portugal on Dec. 24th
2010.(link)

5. The first Volt has been sold to an American customer.

6. The first Renault Fluence has been produced.
C. The practicability of ecars is a new preoccupation, even small city
cars are adapted to increase their transportation capacity.
 7. As an example the THINK car sold in this version in Norway since
December 2010 and on sale in UK in the beginning of 2011 (link).
Technology
(14/27)
Type of vehicles : electric cars
(2/2)
D. New partnerships arise :
 8. Nissan and Mitsubishi have just signed a collaboration agreement to work
together even more closely than they have in the past, sharing vehicle
platforms for both worldwide and Japanese domestic markets. And perhaps,
just perhaps, the two Japanese automakers may end up working on an
electric vehicle together(link)
E. Production announcements
 9. After BMW, another important German manufacturer,
Mercedes announces a small Mercedes which will form part of the
company's Mega City Mobility program. It will, of course, be powered by an
electric motor and share a platform with the rear-engined platform of the
next Smart Fortwo. No production date however (link)

10. As a competitor to the Nissan Leaf, Ford presents the Electric Ford Focus
which will be on sale in the US for the end of 2011 (link) together with other
Ford projects like the C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid
Technology
(15/27)
Type of vehicles : e-taxis

1. E-taxis are a prime target for electrification. See a research paper from
EDF that shows why and how (link)

2. Betterplace uses its e-taxi Tokyo experience (link) to develop a greater
project in the Bay area of California.(link)

3. VW reveals the project of its e-taxi. (link)
Technology
(16/27)
Type of vehicles : e-vans

1. The Mercedes Vito e-cell full electric van is now commercially available for
deliveries in mid-2011 : this van will indeed be available in long-term rentals
(4 years/80, 000 km) at a monthly rate of 1 790 euros all inclusive VAT
(maintenance, insurance, cleaning, tires, etc..).
Of the 2,000 copies of planned production for the year 2011 a quarantine
will be allocated to France.
The Vito E-Cell announces a range of 130 km, a maximum speed of 80
km/h and a payload of 900 kg .... (link)

2. Only a few weeks after Mercedes Benz pioneered in offering the Vito ECell electric van, Iveco decided to launch its EcoDaily Electric van and
chassis cab in the UK and Ireland.Prices start from £40,000, with the
batteries available to lease separately. Prices for the vehicle and batteries
combined start from £63,000.
Technology
(17/27)
Type of vehicles : light trucks
1.
The French PVI offers electric light trucks in collaboration with Renault
trucks, so is the Concept-truck Maxity. the electric Maxity is proposed to
pilot clients wanting to benefit from the electric traction in their business
especially :
- in town deliveries,
- urban cleaning,
- public garden and parks tending,
- public lightning and networks. (link)
2.
Bremach USA introduces T-REX 4x4 class-3 electric drive truck: BEV or
series hybrid/ The 10,000+ lb GVWR electric-drive T-REX offers a 3.87 ton
payload—enabled by an adaptive modular space frame chassis
architecture—and is powered by a 200 kW peak (150 kW continuous), 360
N·m peak torque brushless DC permanent magnet motor. The 40 kWh Liion pack is built with large-format prismatic cells. Range varies between 70
to 100 miles. For more details see the links.
.
Technology
(18/27)
Type of vehicles : e-bus
(1/2)
1. Visitors to EVs 25 in Shenzen have been impressed by the E-Buses and ETaxis.
A review of comparative costs with diesel buses in China shows that
substantial savings may be achieved :
"At current electricity costs of 72 RMB (€8) for a 100 km ride, and given that
the average Chinese bus covers 250 km each day, one e-bus would cost
around 64,000 RMB (€6,870) of “fuelling costs” per annum. Compared to a
conventional model, over a normal life time of 8 years, up to 1.26 million
RMB (€136,057) can be saved just from fuel costs » (link)
2. Madrid has bought 10 serial hybrid buses (electric motor + CNG generator)
from Tata motors that will be delivered in 2012. Capacity 32 people, max
speed 70 km/h (link)
3. PVI in France proposes different e-buses, see their website (link)
Technology
(19/27)
Type of vehicles : e-bus
(2/2)
4. The Zeus M200 E from BredaMenarinibus :" the new lithium -ion batteries
provide ZEUS with premium features on the electric minibus market. Speed
and acceleration performances also increase as a consequence of more than
500 kilos of weight saving and moreover the new lithium batteries allow a
range of 120 km in a typical urban duty cycle." (link)
5. "On December 21st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) launched
commercial operation of its fleet of five electric buses, which immediately
began servicing the city's Mt. Namsan circular routes. The electric coaches
are big, measuring over 36 feet long, and can ferry passengers for up to 52
miles on a single charge while operating at a maximum speed of 62 miles
per hour. When the juice is running low, the buses pull up to one of the
area's two quick-charge stations for a 30-minute fill." (link)
More e-buses will complete the fleet as nine supplementary ones will replace
the conventional diesel buses.
Technology
(20/27)
Type of vehicles : Heavy and special vehicles (1/2)

1. New electric municipal sweepers :
Tennant : A new electric municipal sweeper that reduces dramatically the
energy costs :
« Compared with thermal sweepers, this electric model is twice as expensive but the
operator will compensate the initial purchase cost through reduced operating costs. »
« A thermal sweeper consumes 50 liters of fuel daily, or about 70 €, while our
electric model costs only 2 € / day for its electricity. », explains a sales
representative.
Tennant France also offers to lease its sweeper and is working on a solution
for acquiring the vehicle and lease the battery pack . (link)
Technology
(21/27)
Type of vehicles : Heavy and special vehicles (2/2)
Prodim : Lyon France : A new electric municipal sweeper that reduces the total
ownership costs (note : Nice already owns three such municipal sweepers)
(link) :
Even if it takes an initial investment of an extra 15,000 € , the operator will
achieve the long-term savings. "A street sweeper thermal costs about 7 € / hour
while our electric model costs only 90 cents. In addition, the maintenance cost is
divided by three ... in about 5 years, the operator can save between 15 and 20 k
€ in operating costs." From a Prodim representative.
2. A new refuse collecting truck completely electric and with swappable
batteries, bought by SITA (subsidiary of SUEZ France), 11 trucks will be in
service strating in early 2011 in Courbevoie; (link in French) (link in
English).
Technology
(22/27)
E-Vehicle conception : new materials (1/2)
New materials are developed to increase the efficiency of EVs. (link)



New tires with low rolling resistance, less weight.
New glass and windows (with less solar impact on the climate and the
materials of the vehicle)
Composite structure of the body, as an example the SMG ebuses (link)
"SMG's electric buses were developed with assistance from Hyundai Heavy Industries
and Hankuk Fiber. The coach's body features a carbon composite material, which is
claimed to both reduce the vehicle's overall weight and enhance its durability."
or the new carbonfiber body parts of the BMW Megacity vehicle forseen for
2013 (link) (link2 more important) .
"BMW will invest nearly 400 million euros in Megacity Vehicle production and will
create over 800 jobs at the Leipzig plant. The positive impact on this region is
expected to be high since most of the parts are produced in Germany. The carbonfiber will be manufactured by SGL Group and BMW at the plant in Moses Lake, WA.
Megacity Vehicles will then be assembled at Leipzig Werks."
Technology
(23/27)
E-Vehicle conception : new materials (2/2)
« BMW, 3 years from now,will launch a new construction type to Cars called as
Megacity Vehicle (MCV), which won’t contain steel or aluminum bodywork. Instead, it
will have a light alloy frame in the car floor and a body made of carbon fiberreinforced polymer (CFRP). CFRP is a dull black material which has a chemical
structure similar to that of diamonds. It is sturdier than steel and weighs less than
half as much. The MCV body will be 250 to 300 kilograms (550 to 660 pounds)
lighter than that of a conventional electric car of the same size, compensating fully
for the additional weight of the batteries. »
Technology
(24/27)
E-Vehicle conception : V2G
A London conference on EV charging (Nov.30 – Dec. 1) «EV charging and
grid integration: A commercially viable and profitable reality » has
concluded that new business models should focus on "Advanced charging
infrastructures to (...) anticipate demand‐side management and V2G
enabled charging » link) and (link 2) . See below Management issues (4/5)
Technology
(25/27)
E-Vehicle conception : Security
(1/2)
On jan. 5 2011, The "Bell Bill" has been signed by the US President
Obama. See Sociopolitical Aspects (2/6) below.
Technology
(26/27)
E-Vehicle conception : Security
(2/2)
« At the Detroit Auto Show 2011 Volvo Cars is spotlighting the important issue of electric car
safety in an unusual, but distinctive way.
On the company's stand there is a Volvo C30 Electric that has undergone a frontal collision
test at 40 mph (64 km/h).
« Our tests show it is vital to separate the batteries from the electric car's crumple zones to
make it as safe as a conventional car. In Detroit we are the first car maker to show the world
what a truly safe electric car looks like after a collision with high-speed impact," says Volvo
Cars' President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.» » ( link) .
Technology
(27/27)
Networks : Electric grids
1.
An EU financed project seems to cover many aspects of the problem of grid
management. It is the Project MERGE : as announced on their
website: "Mobile Energy Resources for Grids of Electricity" is a major EUfinanced project to prepare the European electricity grid for the spread of
electric vehicles. (link)
2.
An Australian study investigates the effects on the security of supply of
energy during these previously unseen demand patterns, while also
examining changes to spot market prices and changes in emissions rates
(link). It may compared to the Creg research paper of February 2010.
Economic Challenges
Macroeconomic strategies :
Very interesting and well documented study by Liam Wagner and Luke
Reedman on " Modeling the deployment of plug-in hybrid and electric
vehicles and their effects on the Australian National Electricity Market" that
shows " that wholesale prices during the off-peak period will increase slowly
over time with controlled charging. While uncontrolled charging
increases the incidence of extreme price events and a considerable number
of hours with unserved energy within the network.
This increase in spot prices will require further review by policy makers of
regulated retail electricity tariffs. We expect the transfer of greenhouse gas
emissions from petrol fueled personal transportation to electricity generation
will assist Australia in achieving emissions reductions from the transport
sector. (...) Increases to spot price exposure for electricity retail firms could
signal possible tariff price restructuring for retail consumers." (link)
Economic Challenges
(2/5)
Financial risks and opportunities for consumers : ecars prices
The Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera, Nissan Leaf, Renault Fluence MRSP are known.
In the USA :
 Chevrolet Volt : 41.000 $ (The car is also available through a lease program. It can
be leased for 3-years/36 months and 12,000 miles per year for $350 per month and
$2500 down payment.)
 Nissan Leaf : around 33.000 $ in the US (link)
In Europe :
 Opel Ampera : 42,900 € ATI (without national bonus) (link)
 Renault Fluence and Kangoo (link) separate the price for the vehicle and the cost of
battery rental:
 Fluence : 21,300 € ATI (bonus included 5,000 €) + from 79€ ATI / month* (36
months, 10 000 km /year)
 Kangoo : 15,000 € ATI (bonus included 5,000 €) + from 72€ ATI / month* (48
months, 15 000 km /year)
Economic Challenges
(3/5)
Market penetration : forecasts (most interesting)
(1/2)
1. Some predict that 20% of cars sales will be E-cars sales by 2016 in UK
given the huge government incentives. (link)
2. And "About 954,000 electric volt cars and hybrids, including plug-in
models, will sell this year worldwide, comprising 2.2% of all car sales,
industry forecaster J.D. Power and Associates estimated in October,
Bloomberg reported.
By 2020, just 5.2 million, or less than 10% of the estimated 71 million cars
to be sold, are expected to be electric. And according to a Kelly Blue Book
survey, only 7% of car shoppers will even consider buying or leasing a new
electric car because of the reduced travel range and availability of charging
stations. " (link)
Economic Challenges
(4/5)
Market penetration : forecasts (most interesting)
(2/2)
3. From IBTimes : "According to a recent report from Bloomberg New Energy
Finance, plug-in electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and battery
electric vehicles, have the potential to make up 9 percent of auto sales in
2020 and 22 percent in 2030 (1.6 million and 4 million vehicle sales
respectively)." (link)
4. From Edmunds.com, we get this forecast (link) :
"Edmunds.com analysts report that about 2.4 percent of all the new cars
sold in 2010 were hybrid or electric. Despite the excitement surrounding
the Volt, the Leaf and other new entries in the green car segment,
Edmunds.com expects alternative vehicle market share to rise to just 3.7
percent in 2011, to 4.1 percent in 2012 and to 4.8 percent in 2013.
Part of the explanation for the slow consumer acceptance is the uncertainty
of the new technology. For one thing, people are unsure how much it will
cost to own these cars."
Economic Challenges
From Wagner and Reedman (link)
(4/5)
Management Issues
EV car sharing
Nice is the first French town to implement its EV car sharing plan (link) :
Phase 1: Rapid deployment of vehicles and stations in 2011
• 51 cars and 17 service stations on March 30th, 2011 (15 in Nice, Cagnes sur
Mer 1, 1 in Saint-Laurent du Var).
• Including an offer of 10 utilities from Venturi March 2011
• 129 vehicles and 43 stations in operation before the end of 2011
• A variety of 3 models ( 40 Peugeot iOn, 10 Citroën Berlingo Venturi and the Mia
from Heuliez) for different uses in the summer of 2011.
Phase 2: A modular deployment to allow an adjustment based on the results of
2011 and introduce new models of vehicles (210 vehicles and 70 stations by end
2012)
Management Issues
New partnerships
(2/5)
(1/2)
1. The Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle demonstration in Strasbourg. (link)
2. The Renault Nissan Alliance is particularly active : developing partnerships
with the E. Leclerc supermarkets ( 50 supermarkets end 2011 , 150 end
2012, ± 500 end 2015), the Vinci parkings, the Unibail-Rodamco
commercial malls (36 malls with quick charging post for the end of
2012). (link)
3. The MeRegio Mobil plan in Germany : the establishment and operation of
an intelligent charging and feeding back infrastructure for electric
vehicles. (link)
4. The MOBI.E partnership in Portugual (link)
Management Issues
New partnerships
(3/5)
(2/2)
5. Nissan and Mitsubishi agree to set up a 50-50 joint company next year
to develop electric minicars that may become strategic models sold
globally. (link)
6. Nissan, NEC and Sumimoto have signed a MoU in an effort to promote a
membership-based charging service for electric vehicles. Under terms
laid out in the MoU, the trio of companies will conduct a study aimed at
developing charging facilities that can provide continuous and readily
accessible service to EV drivers that elect to take part in the
membership program. The partnership is seen as having the key benefit
of a membership-based charging service : it would lie in the ability to
monitor charger usage and install additional stations – or relocate some
– based on the information obtained. (link)
Management Issues
(4/5)
EV charging and grid integration: A commercially viable and
profitable reality : a summary of "The EV Charging Infrastructure &
Grid Integration 2010" event (1/2)
(See also above : Technology (24/27) > Vehicle conception > V2G)
"Business models needed for implementing charging poles :
1. Advanced charging infrastructures to:
•Adopt new European standards (when confirmed)
•Develop national and international clearing and roaming capability
•Anticipate demand‐side management and V2G enabled charging
2. Homogenous and non‐exclusive charging network
The main focus point here is to understand the driving routes of electric vehicles
and build infrastructure user-case related. This is crucial to:
•Avoid local duplication
•Work with OEM’s to provide a list of homologated hardware suppliers
•Keep energy costs and access fees low and easy to manage
Management Issues
(5/5)
EV charging and grid integration: A commercially viable and
profitable reality : a summary of "The EV Charging Infrastructure &
Grid Integration 2010" event (2/2)
(See also above : Technology (24/27) > Vehicle conception > V2G)
3. Improve and innovate charging facilities:
Allow additional services such as charge point reservation & payment
Charging stations must also have additional attractions such as restaurants,
hotels, shopping areas, etc.
Implement smart navigation systems to link charging
opportunities
Introduce cross‐border roaming
Develop a network of quick-charging stations"
Sociopolitical Aspects
National plans and actions :
1. The resources present the national plans of Germany (link1) ,
Portugal (link2) and the French Borloo plan (link3).
2. The 2010 Spanish Initiatives in the Electromobility Sector are detailled in this
file (link4).
3. On Jan 1st 2011, Monaco introduced free parking for EVs (link5)
Sociopolitical Aspects
(2/6)
Reglementations :
The "Bell Bill" has been signed by the US President Obama.
« Thanks to new legislation, and some agreements among automakers, the
typical EV might not be making the sound of a vuvuzela or a Tie-fighter but
you're going to hear it coming—perhaps with just a little more whine, wow
and flutter.
Today (Jan. 5th 2011) President Obama signed the Pedestrian Safety Act (S.
841), which aims to help protect the blind and other pedestrians from "silent
vehicle technology," as it was worded in a press release from the National
Federation of the Blind » (link)
See also above Technology (25/27)> Vehicle Conception > EV security
Sociopolitical Aspects
(3/6)
Consumer awareness and concerns :
1. A Pike research report changes our vision of consumer awarreness about EVs,
indeed it is not the traditional range anxiety or purchase cost that come first
in their market study, but the concern about the technology not yet
proven, in particular reliability. It must be stressed that the opinions do
not differ by gender, age and other individual characteristics of the
respondents. (link) Same finding as Edmunds.com (See above : Economic
Challenges (4/5)) who stated also … « For one thing, people are unsure how
much it will cost to own these cars. »
2. A General Electric commissioned research report finds that :
"Three types of buyers emerged :
1. the environmentally conscious,
2. the tech-loving gearheads and
3. the frugal.
Sociopolitical Aspects
(4/6)
2. For early-adopting technology enthusiasts, though, environmental
concerns take a back seat to cool wheels. Eighty-one percent are “really into
technology and gadgets” and 61 percent love cars. While 85 percent of them
share green consumers’ concerns over dependence on foreign oil, only 65
percent of those surveyed were “very concerned about the environmental
impact of cars” and 62 percent believe global warming is a threat. Sixty-two
percent of the early adopters said you are what you drive.
3. Marketing expensive electric cars to the miserly is going to be a tough sell, the
survey shows. Nearly half of whom GE calls “frugal travelers” said they
are skeptical of buying new technology and only 31 percent “love cars.”
But they do share the other respondents concerns over imported oil, with 92
percent very concerned about such dependence. » (link)
Sociopolitical Aspects
Lobbies proelectromobility :
(5/6)
(1/2)
1. EV20 Alliance (link) :
"The EV20 alliance, aimed at bringing 1 million additional electric vehicles on the
road by 2015, also was unveiled at the conference.
The global alliance consisting of businesses and government leaders is led by the
The Climate Group. Businesses joining the alliance included global fleet owner
TNT, auto manufacturers PSA Peugeot Citroën and Smith Electric Vehicles,
battery manufacturer Johnson Controls, Better Place and Deutsche Bank. The
state governments of Basque Country, New York State, Quebec, South
Australia and Victoria also joined the group.
EV20 members have agreed to work together over the next three years to drive
the deployment of EVs through brokering international fleet procurement
alliances, as well as developing national, state and municipal policy
frameworks, and financing solutions.
The alliance is made possible with support from Prince Albert II of Monaco
Sociopolitical Aspects
Lobbies proelectromobility :
(6/6)
(2/2)
2. The Electrification Coalition (link) in the US promotes the fleet electrification.
it released its roadmap in November. :
"The Fleet Roadmap also presents the results of detailed total cost of
ownership modeling for PHEVs and EVs in fleet applications for a number of
industries. The analysis suggests that with targeted, temporary policies in
place, fleet adoption of PHEVs and EVs could result in a cumulative 200,000
vehicles on the road by 2015. (link) ."
3. Panorama 0 : Conclusions
1. Global trends :
1. A multiplicity of actors, products, research agendas, opportunities,
policies.
2. A lot of world premières during those three last months and first
experiences with real customers.
3. A loose convergence on market penetration forecasts for EVs with a non
ordinary observation : it may be that taxis, electric buses, vans, light
trucks and special vehicles (refuse trucks, maintenance trucks, …) could be
the first to know high market penetration given the relatives advantages
provided by their electrification..
Conclusions
(2/3)
4. A growing interest for battery exchange stations for urban areas and
long distance trips.
5. A trend to avoid a dependency to lithium for the production of batteries,
and interest for the zinc based storage devices as well as for
supercapacitors.
6. The use of new materials in vehicle conception (not only in energy
storage devices) but for vthe chassis and the body parts allowing a
weight reduction that compensate the additional weight of batteries.
7. A change of our vision of consumer awarreness about EVs, indeed it is
not the traditional range anxiety or purchase cost that come first in the
market studies, but the concern about the technology not yet
proven, in particular reliability as well as the uncertainty on the
total cost of ownership
Conclusions
(3/3)
2. Too much information, difficult to prioritize and to sort, to be
prensented in such a short time.
3. So the need for a more powerful means of information : the
CMS.
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