Automakers Continue Support Of Electric Vehicles Despite Weak Sales

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: March 5th, 2015

automakers continue support of electric vehicles despite weak sales

Though sales of electric vehicles are still weak, automakers are not giving up on them over the long term.

Reporting from the floor of the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, Autoblog says that technology is important to help automakers meet ever-stringent emissions standards, especially those in China, where heavy air pollution limits how many cars are registered annually. BMW AG CEO Norbert Reithofer said as much when stating that his company cannot leave EVs like the i3 behind, proclaiming such vehicles would be in demand in the future.

Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche says hybrids were “truly attractive cars that represent the best of both worlds” as his and other companies cross the bridge toward a zero-emission future. However, Zetsche adds that the battery technology needed to get to the other side — long-lasting battery packs — are at least five years away.

#China #ComplianceVehicles #DieterZetsche #ElectricVehicles #EmissionsStandards #Geneva2015 #NorbertReithofer

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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7 of 35 comments

Tsoden on Mar 05, 2015

It really makes me happy to see so much variety out there in terms of EV, PHV's and such.. When GM killed off the EV1, I felt that was really a sad day in auto history... More so after watching the documentary "Who killed off the Electric car"

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Toshi on Mar 05, 2015

I'm walking the walk. First we leased a LEAF in 2013 for 24 months. A few weeks ago I bought a used RAV4 EV to replace the LEAF post-lease. Range has rarely been an issue, and I've come to realize that L3 charging is the only type that's really useful. All other charging is generally within my own garage.

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- Mcs on Mar 05, 2015
  
  I have about 7500 miles in 6 months on a new Leaf. I've even made it through the northeast's snowageddon. No range issues either. I mostly charge at home and my destinations once I figured out it's range in even sub-zero temps was beyond the 50 miles I needed to go one way. One thing I don't miss about an ICE is standing outside freezing while pumping gas.
  
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- AustinOski on Mar 05, 2015
  
  @mcs We're on the other end, in baking heat in Austin all summer (though not Phoenix or Vegas like). I notice a little less range but not enough to matter (to us). We especially like ability to turn on the climate control using the app 5-10 minutes before leaving the house or a store when it's 100 out. I'm guessing you do the same there when it's 15 degrees.
  
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- Tifighter on Mar 05, 2015
  
  LEAF driver here too. Since it's arrival, the other ICE car has been refuelled only twice in the past 6+ months i.e. the second car has become the primary car. Co-worker watched me take the plunge to see how it would work out; he finally picked one up for himself at the end of last year. He tells me his neighbors have been asking about it. People ARE curious.
  
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Master Baiter on Mar 05, 2015

"...especially those in China, where heavy air pollution limits how many cars are registered annually..." Running a modern ICE car in China effectively scrubs the air--the exhaust is cleaner than the intake air. China's pollution comes from outdated industrial plants, not from modern cars. And yes, I've been there many times.

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V-Strom rider on Mar 05, 2015

Car makers are committed to pure electric (and hydrogen) because they and their customers can then say, hand on heart, "absolutely no emissions from our vehicles, not even CO2". The problem is then very neatly passed to the producers of electricty and hydrogen. Genius!!!

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