Electric cars surge forward
Electric cars are now so fast that they are out-performing other super cars like Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. They deliver maximum torque to the wheels 100% of the time, which a petrol engine cannot do. The new Tesla Roadster is boasting speeds of 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, 13,000 RPM, 256 MPG equivalent and 220 miles per charge and it’s in production for 2008 in the USA.
Yes, this is very impressive, but what does this new surge of alternative power really mean for the future of the Motor Industry?
With more electric cars coming into the market and in a real quest for alternative fuels, the UK Government is to introduce a national network of 1,000 charging points for electric cars before the end of 2009.
The charging points have a normal three-pin socket inside a locked box and customers must pay £75 a year for a unique key to access the power points. Recharging is free but currently takes takes about two hours.
There are currently 100 charging bays in UK at the moment, with 60 on streets and car parks in Westminster, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cambridge and on the Isle of Wight. Elektromotive, the main company responsible for installing them, has reached agreement with councils for the rapid expansion.
Alternatively fueled cars are increasing in popularity with manufacturers producing Hybrid, Hydrogen and other forms of fuel, but how will the Motor Industry adapt to the change?
- If electric cars suddenly becomes viable with lower charging times, what will happen to the residual values of used cars on dealers forecourts?
- Will we be able to avoid a collapse of the Motor Industry?
- To avoid such a calamity, will alternative fueled cars be rolled out slowly to abate a collapse - if so how long will it take?
- What about the Technicians and Aftersales equipment?
- What will happen to the world economy and the oil fortunes in The Middle East?
- The Government currently collects 63% tax at the petrol pumps, how will they replace this huge revenue?
These questions plus many more need careful consideration, but one thing is for sure, cars as we know them today are set to change. Your thoughts are very welcome on this subject.
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This could be sooner rather than later.
Electric vehicles have always been hindered by the range they can cover and the time it takes to recharge the battery, however, the latest battery can support a range of approximately 270 miles and can be fully charged in 20minutes.
Let’s not forget, to charge batteries you still need energy. The positive in this is that it will produce far less pollutants than the emissions from vehicles and would substantially reduce the trade imbalance on importing oil which lets be honest, is crippling us and the resources won’t last for ever!!! It’s an opportunity to reduce the funds into the hydrogen programme and redirect the focus into electric! The car makers need to have incentives to pursue this route and let’s get away from quarterly targets which drives used car residuals down chasing market share!
What impact would this have on used car residuals?
I believe this will be such a gradual process the change would be manageable, it’s not going to happen over night and will probably take several years for the transition to take place. We still have no idea of what the costs will be to purchase an electric vehicle and I, personally, feel the hybrid concept will be more prominent short to medium term.
Why should the Aftersales be affected?
Most of the work that is carried out in workshops is on the ancillaries and the electronics to facillitate the mechanics, that won’t change. You will still need brakes, steering and transmission and you very rarely see work carried out on the power unit, so, what’s the difference!
To conclude.
It’s a good thing that research is prevalent in developing electrics cars, the transition will be slow and I believe the industry will cope without causing any catastrophic damage to the market. Being selfish I will miss the sound of a powerful engine and the exhilarating tones that are emitted as the cams operate at their optimum. The main plus from electric powered cars is the benefits to the environment and the economics reflecting a lesser demand for importing oil. What are government going to do to replace the loss in tax revenue; I am sure they will come up with something.