I still find it hard to believe that mass market electric vehicles are right around the proverbial corner. In fact, until I’ve actually seen a Nissan LEAF or a Chevy Volt on the road, I refuse to be suckered in. There are people out there far more optimistic than I, however, and they see the future as looking more promising every day.
The McKinsey research firm has published a study which suggests that the United States will lead the world’s electric car consumer market.
Well duh. USA #1!
Err, Blind patriotism aside, the study was based on nine different variables in twelve different countries. Government incentives, support for the electric car industry, consumer interest, and electricity rates all factored into the study, which found that the U.S. was most likely to lead the world in electric car ownership in the coming years. Then there is the fact that even in the midst of a recession, we are the wealthiest nation by a large margin… which means we can afford the more expensive electric cars.
It was America that planted the idea that true prosperity came with at least one car in the driveway (if not two or three). This is not a bad thing, at least to me, because I love cars. Unfortunately, car ownership en masse has come at the cost of our once world-class rail system and has led to uncontrolled urban sprawl and neglected public transportation. Other countries have learned from our mistakes, at least somewhat.
Speaking of other countries, the next likely candidate to make a transition from gas to electric cars is France, followed by China and Germany (tied for third). China in my mind though is our biggest competitor on the electric car field; if anyone can build a cheap electric car en masse, it is China…and they have a lot of buyers waiting in the wings. The question is, can these countries (America included) keep up the momentum? I sure hope so.
Source: Financial Times via All Cars Electric | Image: Tesla Motors
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About Christopher DeMorro
With all obstacles against alternative energy from oil corporate controlled government I am not so sure USA will be the first to produce an inexpensive, efficient, long distance electric car. My bet is on China that they’ll be first. China has less prehistoric baggage to overcome with technology.
With all obstacles against alternative energy from oil corporate controlled government I am not so sure USA will be the first to produce an inexpensive, efficient, long distance electric car. My bet is on China that they’ll be first. China has less prehistoric baggage to overcome with technology.
Well I have to disagree if what you are talking about is percentage of electric cars. If you are talking about pure numbers, then I agree…(in the US they have a car for everything)…
To me, the countries with a larger percentage of electric cars are going to be the Scandinavian countries, Portugal, Spain, France and neighbor countries…
Well I have to disagree if what you are talking about is percentage of electric cars. If you are talking about pure numbers, then I agree…(in the US they have a car for everything)…
To me, the countries with a larger percentage of electric cars are going to be the Scandinavian countries, Portugal, Spain, France and neighbor countries…
I hate to pick nits but shouldn’t “uncontrolled urban sprawl” be translated as “people won’t act like good little robots and do what I tell them is good for them?”
Seriously, I don’t know if you take mass transit very often but there really is no comparison: if people are free and have the resources, they’ll always prefer their own vehicle. It is more comfortable (or even downright luxurious), it is on *your* schedule, it goes right where you start and right where you want to go, you don’t put up with the vagaries (but miss the fun) of other people’s quirks, you can have private conversations with family and friends, etc. Why would you possibly bemoan the fact that our society has advanced to a stage of wealth and comfort that the vast majority of us can choose to do this?
I hate to pick nits but shouldn’t “uncontrolled urban sprawl” be translated as “people won’t act like good little robots and do what I tell them is good for them?”
Seriously, I don’t know if you take mass transit very often but there really is no comparison: if people are free and have the resources, they’ll always prefer their own vehicle. It is more comfortable (or even downright luxurious), it is on *your* schedule, it goes right where you start and right where you want to go, you don’t put up with the vagaries (but miss the fun) of other people’s quirks, you can have private conversations with family and friends, etc. Why would you possibly bemoan the fact that our society has advanced to a stage of wealth and comfort that the vast majority of us can choose to do this?
Pl, Hugo — Uhh, reread the article, guys. It’s the the US will be the largest “consumer” of electric cars. Not the largest “producer”.
Once again, the heads of the US auto industry give the US populace the short end of the stick and send all the jobs to other countries.
God, I can’t wait for gas to jump to $15 a gallon, just to drive those fucks out of business…
Pl, Hugo — Uhh, reread the article, guys. It’s the the US will be the largest “consumer” of electric cars. Not the largest “producer”.
Once again, the heads of the US auto industry give the US populace the short end of the stick and send all the jobs to other countries.
God, I can’t wait for gas to jump to $15 a gallon, just to drive those fucks out of business…
Even if EVs were produced/consumed here, eventually they would end up being produced/consumed in china anyway so one way or the other china wins.
Even if EVs were produced/consumed here, eventually they would end up being produced/consumed in china anyway so one way or the other china wins.