Re: Why the car companies can't design a decent EV, or they don't want to ? Quote:
Originally Posted by anu21v Well, I foresee very soon GM's EN-V type vehicles mushrooming all over by all manufacturers, that looks like promising, safe, environmental friendly solution for personal transport (See 2012 Auto Expo vehicles for EN-V). |
Its been more than a decade since the first consumer hybrid vehicle began selling in the US. As of today, hybrid sales account for ~2% or less of total vehicle sales in the US. The percentage is even less for other first world countries. I mention 'first world' because these markets have more purchasing power and higher degree of acceptance. If a 'new' concept still isn't able to penetrate beyond 2% in one of the most open consumer markets in the world after a decade, then is it successful ?
As you say, you may see electrical vehicles on the road. But chances are they will be minuscule in number. Designing an electric vehicle is one thing. Making it feasible for the masses is an entirely different game.
Case in point, Chevy's Volt, which is an 'extended range' electric vehicle. The car basically runs purely on an battery power for the first ~40 miles and then there is a small IC engine that kicks in to charge the batteries that run the electric engine. Despite its brilliant engineering GM is absolutely nowhere close to their targeted 40,000 production for this car, thanks to the steep price tag on the car, and thanks to a poor customer perception as to exactly what this car is.
My point is, there isn't a wide enough consumer base in automotive world yet that is willing to accept unconventional technology, thanks to its high price-point. We may wince at the petroleum prices but fact is that there is still no viable alternative for it from a vehicle producers perspective, and even from a consumers perspective. |