Automakers must build cheaper, smaller EVs to spur adoption, report says
Automakers must build cheaper, smaller EVs to spur adoption, report says
16.5% of new car sales are compact crossovers, but only 6% of those are EVs.
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I understand that automakers don't want to make plug-in hybrids because of the complexity, but mine has served me well and most of the time I can stay within the electric range (where sometimes I go a whole year without having to fill up on gas). With my use case, it's actually better for the environment than a full EV since the battery doesn't have to be so huge.
Regardless, if these automakers don't get their act together, they're going to be destroyed by cheap Chinese EVs, just like how US automakers got destroyed by Japanese vehicles during the oil embargo and periods of high gas prices. Maybe they'll just lobby the government to lock out the Chinese competition one way or another.
I still think BMW had the right idea with the range extender on the i3 - make a small electric car, stick a gasoline generator in the boot just in case.
Aaaaand they cancelled the i3
They claim they discontinued it because "customers want bigger EVs", which is half the truth - people want a bigger EV with longer range when they pay $50k for one. I love the i3, but it was an expensive car designed 10 years ago for the market of 10 years ago. Still, the idea was great, I hope other manufacturers eventually see it as the next step for hybrids.