Questions are being asked about the success of electric cars

Electric car sales in many countries remain sluggish. In the US, Chevrolet’s Volt model sold 7.671 in 2011 while sales of Nissan’s Leaf model reached 9.674. Meanwhile sales of electric cars in the UK for example have topped around 2,100 units since 2006. Major barriers to public acceptance of pure electric cars remain the high prices, due in part to the costs of the batteries. Costing up to US$15,000, a lithium ion battery pack for a car is not a cheap option.
June 21, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Electric car sales in many countries remain sluggish. In the US, 2773 Chevrolet’s Volt model sold 7.671 in 2011 while sales of 2454 Nissan’s Leaf model reached 9.674. Meanwhile sales of electric cars in the UK for example have topped around 2,100 units since 2006. Major barriers to public acceptance of pure electric cars remain the high prices, due in part to the costs of the batteries. Costing up to US$15,000, a lithium ion battery pack for a car is not a cheap option. Meanwhile customers remain concerned about range, particularly while charging infrastructure is still undeveloped in most areas. Fast recharging could offer a solution to range concerns, but also poses a penalty in terms of reduced battery life. Further technological developments in terms of battery performance and range may well be needed until public acceptance is achieved. And the cost issue of the batteries will also have to be addressed, perhaps with rental or leasing options.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Driving advances in engines and drivelines
    February 27, 2019
    Technology advances for engine and driveline systems continue - Mike Woof writes With the Stage V emissions requirements being introduced in Europe, a number of engine manufacturers have already announced their plans. Leading engine makers such as Cummins, Deutz, John Deere, Perkins and Volvo Penta have all released information regarding the engines that they will be offering. The new standard introduces the particulate particle count (PN) and applies to all diesel engines above 19kW for off-road applic
    Read More
  • Carry on Movin’ On - Michelin’s mobility event
    October 15, 2018
    Many of the great and the good in the global mobility sector gathered at this year’s Movin’ On event in Montreal. Measured regulation of technologies and safety issues were major themes, reports David Arminas Autonomous vehicles, platooning, smart intersections and safety – these were the talking points over two and half days of the Movin’ On event in Montreal. Everyone in the mobility sector is at the same point, trying to see what mobility will look like in the future. Apparent at the event was just
    Read More
  • Plenty of Energya to deliver job site sustainability
    July 10, 2023
    CIFA has a rich innovation history and a bright future, demonstrated by the concrete machinery specialist's strong presence at the 31st edition of SaMoTer in Verona (3-7 May 2023). Guy Woodford spoke to Marco Polastri, CIFA's sales, aftersales and marketing director, at the well-attended exhibition to hear more about the Italian company's present and future.
    Read More
  • Europe’s traffic pollution problem causes concern
    December 3, 2012
    The latest data available suggests that traffic pollution is still harmful to health in many parts of Europe. Transport in Europe is responsible for damaging levels of air pollutants and a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the resulting environmental problems can be addressed by stepping up efforts to meet new EU targets, according to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The EEA’s annual report under the Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) assesses the
    Read More

Highlighted Content