Nissan is a worldwide player
While the news that Nissan will start producing
batteries for electric cars at its Wearside factory in the north-east of England may have missed the headlines in many newspapers this could in fact be the beginning of a significant boost for the UK electric car industry.
Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson were very keen visitors to the plant today to announce the £200 million investment by the Japanese giant which will be accompanied by significant backup from the UK government. The investment will create a further 350 new jobs for the Wearside plant but more importantly it could yet open up the potential for further investment in the future.
Why is the battery plant so important?
Even though the various electric cars which are hitting the worldwide market have grabbed the attention of the news media there is no doubt that the battery power for these vehicles is an essential element. The technology for electric cars has been around for literally hundreds of years although one of the main drawbacks in recent times has been battery technology.
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Long grass and political footballs!
The recent budget from the UK government was full of many green issues and the subject of electric cars was one which cropped up and grabbed the headlines. However, do you actually know what the government is planning and what is in it for UK motorist?
The UK strategy on electric cars
Gordon Brown used the 2009 budget to confirm his government’s confidence in the electric car market and eco-friendly technology. In typical political fashion there was a vague suggestion of a £5000 discount for UK motorists who acquired an electric or hybrid car. However, while the government tried to make much mileage of this particular development there are no details available as to how you would qualify for such a discount but more importantly there are no cars currently available which fit the criteria!
In a rather bizarre quirk of fate many people may not be aware that while Gordon Brown is telling us which cars we need to drive and which technologies we need to use, the man himself is not able to drive. Yes, the man ultimately in charge of the UK government’s green strategy and electric car program cannot even drive himself.
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What has Warren Buffett seen in BYD?
When renowned investment sage Warren Buffett decided to invest in little-known Chinese battery producer BYD there were many eyebrows raised and much scratching of heads. While there is no doubt that Warren Buffett, via his Berkshire Hathaway Inc investment vehicle, has a nose for successful investing this is certainly not his normal style of business. So what did Warren Buffett see that few others were able to recognise?
Some background on Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is a 78-year-old investment guru who is estimated to be worth in the region of $37 billion and is often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha” or “Sage of Omaha”. He has a history, via his Berkshire Hathaway investment vehicle, or investing in traditional businesses which have long-term value and a strong brand name. He famously avoided the 1990s dot-com bubble which saw technology shares multiply in a very short space of time only to collapse, leaving many investors destitute and penniless.
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The power of oil!
Even though it would be wrong to suggest that the supply of oil around the world is currently at dangerously low levels, there is no doubt that eventually (some predict over the next 50 years) we will see oil supplies around the world fall substantially and a growing need to depend more upon alternative energy sources. As a consequence of this particular development the electric car market is certain to become more popular around the world with many believing that ultimately the electric car market, and other eco-friendly powered vehicles, will smash the monopoly currently held by the petrol/gasoline market.
In readiness for this eventual occurrence it seems as though some of the oil rich countries of the world are now looking to invest into the electric car market as a future hedge.
So what exactly is going on?
While the name Tesla Motors continues to grab many of the headlines in the electric car market it is a little-known fact that back in 2009 luxury car manufacturer Daimler acquired a 10% stake in the business. The two car companies have been working together on technology for the future and there are plans for the introduction of Daimler electric Smart cars in the short to medium term. However, it looks as though Tesla Motors has attracted the interest of Middle Eastern investors who are interested in becoming involved in the operation.
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Will the Toyota Auris hybrid be built in the UK?
Even though the UK government has recently announced a multi-million pound programme which will see electric cars trialled throughout the UK there is a feeling amongst many observers that this is only a piecemeal approach to the sector. This is an area of the automotive industry which needs significant investment, significant backing and to be pushed to the masses. However, the announcement that Toyota is considering building a hybrid version of its bestselling Auris hatchback model in the UK has opened up a potentially interesting option for the authorities.
The UK economy
It is no secret that the UK economy, together with many other economies around the world, has suffered dramatic falls in output in the aftermath of the credit crunch. Unemployment in the UK is forecast to hit 3 million before falling back as and when the UK economy starts to improve. However, the problems with GM Europe and the issue of Vauxhall related jobs in the UK together with the demise of LDV have literally crippled the UK automotive industry.
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A help or hinderance to the electric car market?
As we see the electric car market continue to develop around the world many of the breakthroughs in the headlines today have come via hybrid cars. While there is certainly demand for hybrid cars, i.e. vehicles which have two or more power supplies, do these types of vehicle hinder or help the electric car market?
The benefits of a hybrid car
There are many benefits available from hybrid cars which include:-
Reduced emissions
Even though there are some hybrid vehicles on the market that appear to offer very little in the way of economic savings, any vehicle which has an electric power supply and another supply, such as petrol or gasoline, will automatically fall into the reduced emissions bracket.
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Who was Nikola Tesla?
While the name Tesla has been in the news of late with regards to the launch of the Tesla Motor company’s
Tesla Roadster, the name of the company is linked to a Serbian American inventor who was an expert in electrical engineering. Many believe that Nikola Tesla laid the foundations for the electric vehicle market of today, so perhaps it is no surprise that the surname of Nikola Tesla lives on. Today is Tesla’s birthday, so let us have a look at the life and times of Nikola Tesla
Why does Nikola Tesla’s name live on today?
While many people may not have heard of the man himself there is no doubt that he literally changed the world and was an integral part of the coming of the Second Industrial Revolution. His groundbreaking contributions in the world of electricity and magnetism came to the fore in the 19th and 20th centuries with Tesla’s patents effectively forming the basis of the modern day AC electric power system which we now take for granted in the modern day world.
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Who will lead the sector forward?
As the concept of electric cars moves from the design stage to the road there are many companies now looking to make a name for themselves in this particular field. While some of these companies are well known and have been around for decades, there are some “new kids on the block” who are looking to be involved in the revolution which is the electric car market.
Some companies to look out for in the future include:-
Chrysler
Chrysler was first incorporated in America in 1925 and has a reputation that few companies in the world can match as well as finance to cover various development concepts. However, while Chrysler is now starting to make an impact in the electric car market the company has been slow to take up this challenge with many believing there has been undue influence from the US government.
The Chrysler Dodge ZEO is the latest electric sports car to be introduced to the market by Chrysler offering a 268 hp electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery which can accelerate from the 0-60 in just 5.7 seconds. With seating for four people the vehicle is able to travel up to 50 miles between charges and has caught the eye of many electric car fans.
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What is happening in the electric car sector?
After a period of relative calm, the electric car market has sprung to life over the last couple of years with a number of cars hitting the market and numerous concept cars on the verge of hitting the production trail. So what exactly is going on in the electric car market and what can we expect in the future?
The ATNMBL electric vehicle
The ATNMBL is one of the more bizarre electric concept vehicles under consideration although when you find out it is from the team who created the Google G1 phone then perhaps it is something we should take note of. While at first glance this particular vehicle looks bizarre to say the least, when you consider it is a concept vehicle for the market in 2040 then perhaps we can take a more long-term and futuristic approach.
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