Industry EV Maneuvers Charging Up; Detroit Show to Feature Multi-Maker EV Area
September 25, 2009
With General Motors Co.'s India subsidiary this week inking an electric-vehicle development 
deal with an Indian EV specialist and once hybrid- and electric-averse European automakers unfurling serious EV plays, accelerating OEM and battery-making initiatives seem to demonstrate EVs are going to be more than a fad.
So much so that next year's Detroit auto show - in the home of the industry responsible for bringing internal-combustion personal transport to the masses - will prominently feature a first-ever, multi-maker display promoting electric cars.
Although GM often reminds it is developing a host of alternative-fuel technologies to move it into a future beyond fossil-fuel propulsion, its deal with Bangalore, India's Reva Electric Car Company Pvt. Ltd. is significant because GM also often reminds that vehicle electrification initially will be expensive. Partnering with Reva to develop EVs for the Indian market is seen by GM as a way to gain knowledge of what it will take to produce affordable EVs for other regions.
"Development of small electric vehicles is a growth area around the global automotive industry and we are excited that this cooperation with Reva in India will accelerate GM's progress to meet the emerging needs in many parts of the world," said Nick Reilly, president of GM International Operations.
And if there's doubt even GM's emphasis is shifting away from fossil fuels, Reilly added in a statement that GM "believes that electrically-driven vehicles, based on battery and hydrogen fuel-cell technology, offer the best long-term solution for providing sustainable personal transportation."
Reva Revving Up
Reva, which unveiled its and NXR (next Riva) and NXG (next-generation) concept EVs at the recent Frankfurt motor show, claims to be the first company to sell EVs worldwide and says it currently is selling or test marketing EVs in 24 world markets. The company says its 3,000 EVs on the road represent "the largest deployed fleet of electric cars on the market."
According to Reva's Web site, the company seems to have one model currently on sale outside India: the G-Wiz. It is a relatively low-tech affair powered by eight 6-volt lead-acid batteries claimed to give a range of about 50 miles.
But the NXR, which is going into production next year, has a lithium-ion battery pack that will enable a 100-mile driving range. This likely is the propulsion system on which GM will focus 
its efforts to provide a compatible platform, which Edmunds.com's Green Car Advisor blog says is likely to be the global subcompact architecture of the Chevrolet Spark.
"GM's ability to develop platforms and Reva's capability in developing electric drive-trains and control systems will result in, the (Indian) consumer having a wider choice of EVs," said Karl Slym, president and managing director, GM India.
It's possible GM also may see the initiative as an entry point for countering the low-cost Nano city car from India's Tata Motors. The Nano uses a conventional gasoline engine, but India's government is intent on reducing the country's noxious emissions levels, which may give inexpensive EVs a competitive angle against the Nano, claimed to be the world's lowest-priced car. Tata reportedly also is readying an electric car (not the Nano) for markets in Europe.
Detroit Show Takes The Leap
Reva could be one of the makers taking advantage of a special EV display area being promoted by the organizers of the North American International Auto Show. It is a significant move for the international auto show that takes place in the hometown of the three automakers that nurtured the early mass-production of internal combustion engines.
The new display area will be called "Electric Avenue." A spokesman for the Detroit auto show told AutoObserver the area - situated on the show's main floor - is being designed to "host a variety of EV manufacturers," but may be most appealing to smaller automakers that do not have the luxury of large corporate display areas.
The spokesman says the Detroit show organizers are only now in the opening stages of gauging reaction to the option of showing EVs alongside those of other manufacturers, but says the intent is to help automakers "educate a diverse audience" about EVs. Electric Avenue also might help larger automakers separate their EV concepts from the production or near-production vehicles intended for their primary display stands, making a clear distinction for show attendees.
Electrics Uber Alles in Europe
The Frankfurt motor show early this month wash awash in EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles.
Just a week after it showed an electric version of its interesting Up! subcompact at Frankfurt, Volkswagen AG said it will sell the E-Up! in the U.S. sometime after 2013. The reputedly will be sized similar to BMW AG's Mini Cooper. Mini has plans of its own to introduce an electric version of the iconic compact car in the U.S. and currently has a prototype test fleet in service.
Also at the Frankfurt show, Renault SA - partner to Japan's Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - announced it will produce four new EV in the 2011-12 timeframe and VW's Audi AG unit unveiled a stunning electric-powered concept car based on its R8 coupe.
Luxury makers Mercedes-Benz and BMW AG also showed electric vehicles at Frankfurt. The two, which had long resisted the development of EVs and hybrids, now seem to be accepting that EVs could grab a significant portion of some countries' auto markets sooner than expected. Or that regulations or other environmentally related factors may alter conventional market forces to more quickly drive adoption of EVs. - Bill Visnic, Senior Contributing Editor
Photos by Manufacturers
1. Reva NXR, slated for production next year by GM's new EV partner, uses lithium-ion batteries (courtesy Reva Electric Car Co.)
2. Reva NXG a 2-seat concept car that may hold intriguing possibilities for GM (courtesy Reva Electric Car Co.)
3. The architecture used for the 2010 Chevrolet Spark likely will be used for an electric car. (courtesy General Motors)
4. Volkswagen E-Up! electric car coming to U.S. after 2013 (courtesy Volkswagen AG)
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 5:23 AM under Companies , Featured , News , Technology | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
I don't see the U.S. market (with current fossil fuel prices) as being open to electric cars. With limited driving range, and refueling times measured in hours versus minutes, electrics may never get past urban use.
Out here in the country (where the miles really pile up) my Corolla gets the same mileage as a Prius. Rural driving doesn't use the battery, yet you still have to carry all that weight along. And too little is said about the hugely negative environmental impact of battery production and disposal.
If my company were building cars, I'd jump all over clean diesel for a short term alternative and fuel cell coupled with (solar powered?) home refueling stations for a final solution.
Posted by: mcmanus | September 27, 2009 at 4:51 AM