heraldonline tells us about the expected global growth of the electric taxi market over the next five years. A new report from Research And Markets thinks this market will grow at an annual rate 34% over the period 2013-2018 driven by the cost-efficiency of electric vehicles and the high demand for low-cost electric taxis. However, the limited range of electric vehicles could pose a challenge to the growth of this market. Moreover, these vehicles cannot be driven when they are being charged, which is a major drawback for taxi drivers. The greatest demand for e-taxis is coming primarily from the emerging economies of China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. In those countries the focus is on micro electric taxis, which come in the form of e-rickshaws in India or e-trikes in Philippines. These electric taxis cost much less than pure-electric taxis, making them a more viable option for many buyers.
According to the report, the main factor driving the Global Electric Taxi market is the cost-effectiveness of EVs. The EVs currently being used as taxis are pure-electric taxis that do not require any gasoline. After charging, the vehicle’s battery can run on the same electric charge for about 80 miles, thus helping users save on running costs on each trip. For example, a Chevrolet Volt can cover over 80 miles per charge while the Tesla S can cover more than 280 miles. Fuel costs are surging, so using an electric car as a taxi can be highly beneficial, especially on short journeys.
hybridCARS posts about how government policies effect the presence of “green” cars. Market research firm Frost & Sullivan examines how different policies across ASEAN nations have impacted the supply and demand for energy efficient cars. The 3 largest automotive nations in ASEAN – Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia – have all embarked on “low emission, high mileage” vehicles but through different paths.
The Thai Eco Cars have stringent product and investment requirements, whereas Malaysian EEVs cover the widest possible range of segments and vehicles. While Thailand provides a bouquet of incentives across income tax, excise duty and import duty, Malaysia has decided to customize its offerings based on how strategic the investment is…Thailand’s limited market necessitates a strong “push” strategy with Government support such as the first car buyer policy while Indonesia’s large and growing customer base and low motorization creates a natural growth engine to drive forward its low cost green car agenda. It is the strong policy “push” that has given Thailand a significant lead over Indonesia and Malaysia in the Green Car space.
WIRED notes the city of Stockholm, Sweden is getting a new electric ferry. The Movitz, a 75-foot ferry that can carry 100 passengers, is being retrofitted to electric power and includes a quick-charge system that needs just 10 minutes to fully charge the battery. Its 335-horsepower diesel engine is being replaced by two 125 kilowatt electric motors. The ship’s 180 kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride batteries enable it to operate for one hour at 9 knots. Ferries are a crucial means of transportation in Stockholm, a city that’s built across 14 islands. The Movitz will operate on a route between Solna Strand and Stockholm’s Old Town.
From TRANSPORT EVOLVED we learn British Gas has ordered 100 Nissan e-NV200 all electric vans For its fleet. The vans are to be in operation by the end of this year. Last November British Gas started using 28 battery electric vans provided by Nissan in a trial to see how useable they are in real world winter conditions. British Gas hopes to have at least 10% of its home service fleet electrically powered by 2017. The Nissan electric van comes in multiple layouts allowing companies to choose how many seats they need in relation to storage space.
Despite government incentives, Chinese drivers are reluctant to purchase EVs says China Topix. While the government wants 5 million green vehicles on China’s roads by 2020, the first quarter of 2014 saw only 7000 electric and hybrid cars sold even though the government is offering generous subsidies. The main barriers appear to be the lack of battery-charging facilities in China’s cities along with the inconvenience involved in buying a new car. Chinese drivers typically have to apply for a license plate in a lottery system which limits the number of cars running on the road. The Chinese government is spending a lot of money trying to overcome the lack of charging fear:
To encourage more people to buy green vehicles, the State Grid Corporation has made 19,000 electric car charging piles and 400 charging facilities. In March, the national power supplier will be partnering with private investors to develop fast-charging electric car stations. Additionally, the municipal government of Beijing is working on a deal with 12 property developers to install similar facilities at residential areas and shopping centers. Tesla has also committed to build hundreds of charging stations across China.
Investors discusses how electric vehicle driving ranges, recharge times and high purchase prices are barriers for US drivers who might otherwise buy an EV. A new study by TechnoMetrica surveyed 787 US drivers and found consumers would prefer a driving range on a single charge of 271 miles, but EVs available today typically have a range of 100 to 200 miles. The average battery recharge time considered acceptable by consumers is 2.74 hours, but today it typically takes three to 20 hours to recharge an EV, the study notes. A plurality of responders (62%) expect to pay a purchase price of less than $20,000 for an EV which is in the range of the Chevy Spark and Nissan Leaf but well below the Tesla S. Prius, Fords and Chevy Volt.
The TechnoMetrica survey found only 6% of U.S. drivers own an alternate fuel vehicle, but found that 53% are potentially interested in purchasing one. Millennials — generally the population born between the early 1980s and early 2000s — have a relatively high level of interest in EVs, the study said.
Speaking of Tesla, The Atlantic Cities tells us what is like running out of power while driving a Tesla S between the states of California and Arizona in the US