Study Finds Big Cities Are Prime Territory for Electric Vehicles
By John O'Dell January 12, 2010And Now, For a Little Something That's Not About the Detroit Auto Show!
There have been several studies released lately arguing that battery costs and other factors will keep electric vehicles marginalized for decades to come. Now comes one that's a bit more upbeat about the future of the EV.
Small electric cars like the Smart ED (electric drive) could make big inroads in the world's cities, research finds.
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The study is welcome validation of our long-held belief that EVs - particularly small ones such as Misubishi's i-MiEV city car - make great sense in crowded cities.
McKinsey conducted research in New York, Shanghai and Paris last year and found that EVs' range limitations and cost would not be major obstacles to many city dwellers looking for a way to beat traffic and parking problems and interested in advanced technologies.
Most early buyers, the study found, will be people who consider themselves both environmentally active and technologically adept.
The study results were reported this morning by the subscription-only ClimateWire news service.
Early buyers who would use EVs in big cities will often have them as a second car, primarily for commuting, and will be willing to put up with the lack of a public charging infrastructure in order to be first on the block to have an electric car, the researchers found.
Extended-range plug-in hybrid electric drive vehicles such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt (left) will be the most popular electric drivetrain, though, because they will avoid range limits by switching to their on-board gas or diesel generators to continued power after the initial battery charge is depleted.
That will be a major selling point for early adopters who want to go electric but need vehicles capable of making long trips or who are unsure of their ability to recharge the batteries regularly.
The study found significant differences in attitudes, with New Yorkers interested in EVs even without government subsidies but potential buyers in Shanghai insistent on the need for incentives.
New York buyers, the study says, would be attracted to small electric cars such as the Mini E and upcoming Smart ED (it stands for "electric drive") because their size makes them ideal for maneuvering and parking in congested city centers.
But those interested in EVS right now are more interested in the technology sand less so in the brand, the research found. that means that automakers seeking to boost visibility or change their images with consumers could use electric vehicles as the gateway to improved market share.
On a down note, the study also found that as much as 40 percent of the populace has little awareness of electric cars - suggesting that automakers and EV proponents still have a of work to do.
John O'Dell, Senior Editor
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