Who invented the first personal computer is not an easy question to answer? The first computer was designed in 1936 and most people would agree that IBM created the first personal computer. From the original invention of computers for consumers, an entire industry was born and the world was introduced to billionaires such as Bill Gates and Michael Dell.
Motorola, CNN, Dell and many other billion dollar companies have all been borne from new industries that were created as a result of technological or regulatory advancements. Respectively and in the case of Motorola, CNN and Dell, we are referring to the cell phone, cable television and personal computer industries
Over the next few years, a growing percentage of automobiles in the United States will become hybrid or all electric vehicles. Most financial industry experts agree that the companies that are operating in the rapidly growing infrastructure support space for EV’s are in the infancy of the next billion dollar industry.
Most of the major automakers are racing to develop electric vehicles and the first of them are slated to arrive this year. Ford is one of several major auto manufacturers with concrete plans for a line of electric vehicles in the near future. Ford plans on selling an electric version of a commercial van this year, followed by an electric option of the popular Ford Focus in 2011. Nissan is introducing an electric car to businesses in 2011 and to consumers in 2010. General Motors, after some minor missteps, plans on introducing the long-awaited Chevrolet Volt late this year.
With all the electric vehicles expected to be on the market within the next 24 months, the question most people have is just where to charge these vehicles when they aren’t in your driveway. One comedian recently quipped, “With all the electric vehicles expected to be on the market in 2011, I’m going to medical school to study range anxiety.”
William Clay Ford Jr., Executive Chairman of Ford recently stated, “We can provide the vehicles; we can provide the hardware. But we cannot unilaterally solve all the national issues.” Mr. Ford is referring to the number one challenge that is affecting the adoption of electric vehicles in this country, “How to build the national infrastructure to charge all the vehicles?”
Most experts agree that in order to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, charging stations that follow a nationwide standard will be needed at every shopping mall, supermarket parking lot, parking garage and countless other locations. In fact, a national infrastructure of charging stations is of paramount importance to the federal government and to the automobile industry. If electric will fuel the electric cars; then the charging stations will fuel the rate of adoption of these electric cars. The U.S. government has awarded $2.4 billion in stimulus funds for the manufacture of vehicles and their components as well as to establish a national vehicle charging infrastructure. Among the grants is funding for establishing 12,500 charging stations across five states.
Based in Florida, Car Charging Group is at the forefront of the electronic vehicle revolution. The company aims to blanket cities with charging locations that would be installed in public parking lots and many other public locations. Free to the business and/or building owner, the company’s revenue model will be based on a per use fee charged to the vehicle owner. Besides being free, there is an added value to the business owner. Case studies confirm that access to these charging locations will also attract consumers into the business while their vehicle is being charged.
The company believes it can become the premier owner of the ChargePoint™ EV charging system in the United States. As a member of the ChargePoint™ Network, users of the ChargePoint™ system can gain access to a ChargePoint system regardless of who owns the system.
As one astute investor really stated, “Which industry is more healthy, the guys that make the cars or the guys that make the gasoline?” As thousands of investors clamor to determine how to make money from the advent of electronic vehicles, it may be as obvious as Car Charging Inc.
Traded on the OTCBB under the symbol CCGI, Car Charging Group has about 72 million shares outstanding. One of the company’s main competitors recently raised several hundred million dollars through venture capital investors. Car Charging Group and the ChargePoint™ system and network will be a key driver for the adoption of electronic vehicles. Whether you’re an automobile manufacturer, a municipality or simply a consumer, Car Charging Group, Inc. will help accelerate the adoption of electronic vehicles while helping to sustain the health of the environment.
The market for charging stations and the company’s operating in this new energy space may be at the ground floor of the next billion dollar industry. We believe they are.
