According to a recent article in the Sun Sentinel, Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB is changing the electric vehicle landscape by continuously adding more and more locations to its US car charging station infrastructure. “The Company just installed electric-car charging stations at Dania Beach's new parking garage; the ribbon-cutting was last Thursday. And the company also has placed stations at a business park in Delray Beach and condominium complexes in Pompano Beach and Aventura.”
Additionally, it has in the last two months signed major partnership deals for car charging stations with notable companies such as LAZ Parking , a company has over 425,000 parking spaces under management in 21 states and more recently Icon Parking Systems. Both companies command a large share in the management of the major parking spaces in NYC and throughout the USA.
So what does this have to do with increasing demand for electric vehicles? The answer is quite simple, Shopping Centers attract thousands of people daily, the more main street customers see charging stations in commercial locations they frequent the more comfortable they will feel about purchasing a vehicle and plug –n-charge at the mall.
CCGI unique business model is tailored to shopping centers. It allows for a shopping center to immediately generate a new revenue source to what was once considered a loss leader and have a green thumbprint; at no cost to the owner of the shopping center. In fact shopping malls create their own market first by showing their potential electric vehicle purchasers that they have a place to park and charge and second, to benefit the mall’s merchants by adding a new value that increases traffic to its mall which translates to consumer shopping.
With a business model like that it is no wonder that Car Charging Group keeps adding new partners each month resulting in more car charging stations for people to view and be a key indicator in the purchase of electric vehicles.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Company Takes Americas Car Charging Infrastructure by Storm
With a unique business model that allows for a no fuss turnkey solution coupled by a very organized proactive sales approach Car Charging Group Inc., trading as CCGI on the OTBB, has virtually overnight come out from obscurity to taken on a leading role in the development of the American electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A proof is in the pudding , the news this past month of the signing of high profile partners, such as LAZ Parking , Icon Parking as well as the City of Dania Florida has overnight transformed this Company into a major force on the industry.
Icon Parking Systems operates more than 200 parking facilities in Manhattan. Many of Icon's locations are in the City's busiest and most vibrant commercial neighborhoods, others can be found near famous New York City landmarks, and many are in residential areas throughout the City.
LAZ Parking is a national parking company, headquartered in Hartford, CT, with regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In existence for over 29 years, LAZ has over 425,000 parking spaces at 1,350 facilities under management in 21 states and does business in excess of $500 million in annual revenues. LAZ's parking portfolio includes Class A office buildings, mixed use projects, hotels, hospitals and medical complexes, stand alone garages, surface lots, valet parking sites, concierge services, transportation intermodal, major entertainment/event parking, and university parking.
The City is Dania as a part of its Green development of recently signed with Car Charging Group to install its car charging stations at their new municipal parking facility.
What does this all mean? In means acceptance of a business model, confidence in the market a strong momentum for CCGI to be courted by other major players throughout the USA.
A proof is in the pudding , the news this past month of the signing of high profile partners, such as LAZ Parking , Icon Parking as well as the City of Dania Florida has overnight transformed this Company into a major force on the industry.
Icon Parking Systems operates more than 200 parking facilities in Manhattan. Many of Icon's locations are in the City's busiest and most vibrant commercial neighborhoods, others can be found near famous New York City landmarks, and many are in residential areas throughout the City.
LAZ Parking is a national parking company, headquartered in Hartford, CT, with regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In existence for over 29 years, LAZ has over 425,000 parking spaces at 1,350 facilities under management in 21 states and does business in excess of $500 million in annual revenues. LAZ's parking portfolio includes Class A office buildings, mixed use projects, hotels, hospitals and medical complexes, stand alone garages, surface lots, valet parking sites, concierge services, transportation intermodal, major entertainment/event parking, and university parking.
The City is Dania as a part of its Green development of recently signed with Car Charging Group to install its car charging stations at their new municipal parking facility.
What does this all mean? In means acceptance of a business model, confidence in the market a strong momentum for CCGI to be courted by other major players throughout the USA.
Big Apple Power-Up: Major New York Garage Gets Charging Stations
BY ARIEL SCHWARTZ - Fast Company Wed Aug 25, 2010
Electric vehicles are useless without a widespread network of charge stations. While homeowners can stick a charging station in their garages, things are a little trickier for city dwellers. The Car Charging Group is trying to change that--starting in the place with the least home garages of all, New York City.
Earlier this summer, CCG partnered with LAZ Parking to install Coulomb ChargePoints at some of its New York and New Jersey locations. Now CCG is embarking on a similar partnership with Icon Parking--a prominent Manhattan brand with over 200 facilities in the borough.
As part of the partnership, CCG will install Level II (240 volts) Coulomb ChargePoints at select Icon Parking facilities. Better yet, Icon is getting the ChargePoints at no charge. CCG offers the spots for free while retaining ownership thanks to a combination of tax incentives, subsidies, grants, and loan guarantees. Icon hasn't yet revealed how much it will charge drivers for use of the spots.
That's good news for Zipcar customers, too. Partnerships like the one between CCG and Icon will make it easier for car-sharing companies like Zipcar to keep large stables of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles in city parking garages.
Zipcar is already testing a plug-in hybrid in its San Francisco fleet, and the company plans on adding a number of Nissan Leaf EVs to its fleets in San Francisco and Seattle as part of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program.
"We're continually monitoring the user experience of plugging in a vehicle, and whether members feel comfortable in these types of vehicles," says John Williams, a spokesman for Zipcar. If all goes well on the West Coast, New York City could be next.
Electric vehicles are useless without a widespread network of charge stations. While homeowners can stick a charging station in their garages, things are a little trickier for city dwellers. The Car Charging Group is trying to change that--starting in the place with the least home garages of all, New York City.
Earlier this summer, CCG partnered with LAZ Parking to install Coulomb ChargePoints at some of its New York and New Jersey locations. Now CCG is embarking on a similar partnership with Icon Parking--a prominent Manhattan brand with over 200 facilities in the borough.
As part of the partnership, CCG will install Level II (240 volts) Coulomb ChargePoints at select Icon Parking facilities. Better yet, Icon is getting the ChargePoints at no charge. CCG offers the spots for free while retaining ownership thanks to a combination of tax incentives, subsidies, grants, and loan guarantees. Icon hasn't yet revealed how much it will charge drivers for use of the spots.
That's good news for Zipcar customers, too. Partnerships like the one between CCG and Icon will make it easier for car-sharing companies like Zipcar to keep large stables of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles in city parking garages.
Zipcar is already testing a plug-in hybrid in its San Francisco fleet, and the company plans on adding a number of Nissan Leaf EVs to its fleets in San Francisco and Seattle as part of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program.
"We're continually monitoring the user experience of plugging in a vehicle, and whether members feel comfortable in these types of vehicles," says John Williams, a spokesman for Zipcar. If all goes well on the West Coast, New York City could be next.
You read it in the NY Times
Electric Vehicle Chargers Planned for Manhattan Parking Lots
By JIM MOTAVALLI Wheels ,August 26,2010
Car Charging Group trading as CCGI on the OTCBB
The route to a fully charged electric vehicle runs through the parking lot. At least that’s the path followed by the Car Charging Group, a Florida-based electric-vehicle service provider that announced on Monday it is teaming up with Icon Parking Systems to install plug-in stations at some of Icon’s more than 200 garages and lots in Manhattan. In July, Car Charging Group announced a similar deal with Laz Parking, which has 1,350 facilities in 21 states.
“We’re aligning ourselves with where the cars are parked,” said Michael Farkas, chief executive of Car Charging Group.
“Recharging times are kind of long, three or four hours, so gas stations seem like the wrong environment for E.V.’s,” he said. “What makes more sense are shopping centers, strip malls and parking garages—where the cars are going to be.”
Mr. Farkas said that, in many cases, big-box stores, supermarkets and similar businesses do not own the land they occupy, so it makes sense for charging companies to deal with very large institutional real estate owners and operators. “Otherwise, we’d have to go to each individual landowner to get approval,” Mr. Farkas said.
Under the arrangement, the Car Charging Group will install, own, maintain and upgrade the charging stations, and the parking facilities will share in the revenue.
Mr. Farkas said charging rates would vary considerably based on time of day and the different regional costs of electricity, but in states that allow it, consumers would pay 50 cents a kilowatt-hour. Charging electric vehicles is not as simple as filling a car with gas, because some do not allow full discharge or 100 percent charge. So the phrase “fill ‘er up” is somewhat theoretical in these cases. With only a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, the Chevrolet Volt would (theoretically) cost $8 for a complete “fill up” at that rate. But the 24 kilowatt-hour pack in a Nissan Leaf would cost $12 for a zero to 100 percent charge.
According to Andrew Kinard, president of the Car Charging Group, many states do not allow billing by the kilowatt-hour, though that could change. In states with that restriction, the company will charge $3 an hour for charging, he said, which will put cars with slow charging rates at a disadvantage.
The Car Charging Group will install Level 2 (220-240 volts) stations from Coulomb Technologies that can fully charge a vehicle in several hours. Mr. Farkas said the company was also enthusiastic about Level 3 fast charging (440-480 volts) because with half-hour recharge times it can move vehicles through the stations more quickly. “It means we can push kilowatts to cars much faster and make money faster,” he said.
The parking operators are enthusiastic. “It’s a way to create value for our clients and to get the halo of green technology for our properties,” said Michael Barelli, vice president of leasing and development at Laz Parking. “It’s an attractive deal for us.” He said the company planned to install 100 chargers in the New York-New Jersey area “soon.”
Mr. Barelli said electric vehicle chargers would make sense at residential buildings with parking facilities and commuter lots, among other locations.
By JIM MOTAVALLI Wheels ,August 26,2010
Car Charging Group trading as CCGI on the OTCBB
The route to a fully charged electric vehicle runs through the parking lot. At least that’s the path followed by the Car Charging Group, a Florida-based electric-vehicle service provider that announced on Monday it is teaming up with Icon Parking Systems to install plug-in stations at some of Icon’s more than 200 garages and lots in Manhattan. In July, Car Charging Group announced a similar deal with Laz Parking, which has 1,350 facilities in 21 states.
“We’re aligning ourselves with where the cars are parked,” said Michael Farkas, chief executive of Car Charging Group.
“Recharging times are kind of long, three or four hours, so gas stations seem like the wrong environment for E.V.’s,” he said. “What makes more sense are shopping centers, strip malls and parking garages—where the cars are going to be.”
Mr. Farkas said that, in many cases, big-box stores, supermarkets and similar businesses do not own the land they occupy, so it makes sense for charging companies to deal with very large institutional real estate owners and operators. “Otherwise, we’d have to go to each individual landowner to get approval,” Mr. Farkas said.
Under the arrangement, the Car Charging Group will install, own, maintain and upgrade the charging stations, and the parking facilities will share in the revenue.
Mr. Farkas said charging rates would vary considerably based on time of day and the different regional costs of electricity, but in states that allow it, consumers would pay 50 cents a kilowatt-hour. Charging electric vehicles is not as simple as filling a car with gas, because some do not allow full discharge or 100 percent charge. So the phrase “fill ‘er up” is somewhat theoretical in these cases. With only a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, the Chevrolet Volt would (theoretically) cost $8 for a complete “fill up” at that rate. But the 24 kilowatt-hour pack in a Nissan Leaf would cost $12 for a zero to 100 percent charge.
According to Andrew Kinard, president of the Car Charging Group, many states do not allow billing by the kilowatt-hour, though that could change. In states with that restriction, the company will charge $3 an hour for charging, he said, which will put cars with slow charging rates at a disadvantage.
The Car Charging Group will install Level 2 (220-240 volts) stations from Coulomb Technologies that can fully charge a vehicle in several hours. Mr. Farkas said the company was also enthusiastic about Level 3 fast charging (440-480 volts) because with half-hour recharge times it can move vehicles through the stations more quickly. “It means we can push kilowatts to cars much faster and make money faster,” he said.
The parking operators are enthusiastic. “It’s a way to create value for our clients and to get the halo of green technology for our properties,” said Michael Barelli, vice president of leasing and development at Laz Parking. “It’s an attractive deal for us.” He said the company planned to install 100 chargers in the New York-New Jersey area “soon.”
Mr. Barelli said electric vehicle chargers would make sense at residential buildings with parking facilities and commuter lots, among other locations.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Confidence Growing Throughout the Car Charging Industry
In reading various reports and publications related to electric cars and the car charging industry one of the key market indicators of market confidence in an industry is the success of companies penetrating an industry market and the investment a company receives.
Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB is such company. It has over the course of this past year signed major deals for car charging stations with notable companies such as LAZ Parking and more recently Icon Parking Systems. Both companies command a large share in the management of the major parking spaces in NYC and throughout the USA.
Additionally, as proof of a company’s standing and industry acceptance, Car Charging Group Inc, recently reported in their filings a raise of $1,213,500.
As the Industry will begin to mature in the coming years, those companies such as Car Charging Group Inc, that have established themselves in the market will stand to be the major industry players and the investors that had invested early on will reap the benefits.
Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB is such company. It has over the course of this past year signed major deals for car charging stations with notable companies such as LAZ Parking and more recently Icon Parking Systems. Both companies command a large share in the management of the major parking spaces in NYC and throughout the USA.
Additionally, as proof of a company’s standing and industry acceptance, Car Charging Group Inc, recently reported in their filings a raise of $1,213,500.
As the Industry will begin to mature in the coming years, those companies such as Car Charging Group Inc, that have established themselves in the market will stand to be the major industry players and the investors that had invested early on will reap the benefits.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Mass Production of Electric Vehicles Starting to Roll Out
In recent NPR radio interview, Mr. TONY POSAWATZ (Vehicle Line Director, Chevy Volt) announced that Chevy was getting ready for their initial rollout of ten thousand in 2011 and over 40,000 in 2012 where their target market (approx. 19 States).
Mr. MARK PERRY (Director, Product Planning, Nissan North America) stated that Nissan planned to roll our 50,000 Leafs with a capacity for 150,000 in the coming years.
Both individuals did discuss the issue of the number car charging stations as a barometer of mass acceptance of electric cars:
“ The number right now nationwide across 19 states, not just the West Coast, 19 states, over 12,000 public charging stations. And now you add to that the convenience of just charging in your garage overnight. I think this idea of not having a place to plug in is going to disappear.”
While this writer would agree that the “idea of not having a place to plug in is going to disappear,” the conclusion is wrong. For one thing, most people to not have a dedicated indoor parking spot. Secondly, most people who live in buildings are subject to the buildings management and probably association approval to get one installed and even then, there is the issue of security and liability.
If the electric car revolution is going to succeed as I believe it will, the key to consumer confidence rests on a mass electric car vehicle in place in locations where people frequent most i.e., malls and commercial garages. Municipalities, where a good start are limited in the spaces they own and in ability to channel the complete car charging needs of the public.
Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB seems to be the only game in town to meet the future demand. Its business model is ideally designed to penetrate the shopping mall and parking market via its turnkey solution. It allows for rapid market development and is already accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs_agreement_with_laz_parking_to_197360.html.
Mr. MARK PERRY (Director, Product Planning, Nissan North America) stated that Nissan planned to roll our 50,000 Leafs with a capacity for 150,000 in the coming years.
Both individuals did discuss the issue of the number car charging stations as a barometer of mass acceptance of electric cars:
“ The number right now nationwide across 19 states, not just the West Coast, 19 states, over 12,000 public charging stations. And now you add to that the convenience of just charging in your garage overnight. I think this idea of not having a place to plug in is going to disappear.”
While this writer would agree that the “idea of not having a place to plug in is going to disappear,” the conclusion is wrong. For one thing, most people to not have a dedicated indoor parking spot. Secondly, most people who live in buildings are subject to the buildings management and probably association approval to get one installed and even then, there is the issue of security and liability.
If the electric car revolution is going to succeed as I believe it will, the key to consumer confidence rests on a mass electric car vehicle in place in locations where people frequent most i.e., malls and commercial garages. Municipalities, where a good start are limited in the spaces they own and in ability to channel the complete car charging needs of the public.
Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB seems to be the only game in town to meet the future demand. Its business model is ideally designed to penetrate the shopping mall and parking market via its turnkey solution. It allows for rapid market development and is already accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs_agreement_with_laz_parking_to_197360.html.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Accenture forecasts robust growth for electric vehicles in the United States
Accenture forecasts 1.5 million electric vehicles in the United States by 2015. Over 10 million electric vehicles are easily possible by 2020.
According to the latest Clean Fleet Report (see below) all the major electric car manufacturers are ramping up production in their electric car divisions to meet the demand.
With so many cars expected to be on the road the demand for a car charging infrastructure will grow significantly. only one company seems to be meeting current and future needs for an electric car charging infrastructure is Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB. The Company is focusing on the locations where people go and stay for a while. Its business model is second to none as it allows for companies such as malls and parking facilities to focus on their business while gaining a new revenue stream at no cost to them. Their model has already been accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below : http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs
Top 10 Electric Car Makers for 2010 and 2011
By John Addison (updated 8/2/10, original 12/14/09)
Tesla is the first to sell 1,000 electric cars for the U.S. highways. Like its Roadster, the company is going zero to sixty in less than four seconds. Tesla is also developing a roomy Model S hatchback that starts at $57,400, about half the price of the Roadster. The Roadster is battery-electric with a 240 mile range; the Model S will have a remarkable electric range option of 300 miles per charge. Tesla is working with shareholder Toyota to bring back the Toyota RAV4 EV, an electric SUV. Tesla is working with shareholder Daimler to put Smart EDs on U.S. streets this year.
Nissan will be the first auto maker to put over 10,000 electric cars on U.S. highways. About 20,000 have made deposits for Nissan LEAF and several cities are in major partnerships. The LEAF can be purchased starting at $32,780 or $349 per month. The Nissan LEAF is battery-electric with a 100 mile range per charge. LEAF Test drive. This 5-door, 5-seat, hatchback has the right size and range for many who drive under 100 miles daily, or for households with more than one car. Nissan LEAF Details
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) will build on the million car success of Toyota hybrids. At first glance, the PHV looks like another Prius until you spot the J1772 plug for smart charging. Five hundred PHV are in fleet trails from cities to car sharing services. In 2011, U.S. dealer orders were planned, but with Toyota’s 8 million vehicle recall this is may be delayed. Toyota will initially control costs by only using a 5kWh battery for a 14 mile electric range. In late 2011, Toyota will expand its offerings to include a pure battery-electric FT-EV.
General Motors wants to be the plug-in leader with the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid with 40 miles of electric range and added 300 miles by engaging a small gasoline engine to act as a generator. Chevrolet will deliver over 10,000 in 2011. GM has a complete Voltec Propulsion System roadmap which envisions added offerings of pure battery-electric, E85, and diesel. Converj may become the Cadillac of extend-range electrics. Look for a range versus cost battle with Toyota, as the Volt achieves more electric range by adding to vehicle cost with a 16kWh battery. Chevrolet Volt Test Drive
Ford will be selling at least three electric cars by the end of 2011. The best seller will be the Ford Focus EV a battery-electric that we expect to aggressively compete with the Nissan Leaf. Ford will be taking orders for a 2012 plug-in hybrid; likely, it will be the Ford Focus available any way the customer wants it: battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, or fuel efficient sedan. Ford is already selling the Transit Connect Electric compact van. Focus EV Report and Test Drive
Mitsubishi will take orders next year for the 2012 U.S. version of the iMiEV, the best selling EV in Japan. Mitsubishi is currently suggesting a ballpark price in the low 30s. This fun-to-drive 5 door, 4 seat hatchback, will have a wheel base 5 inches wider for the U.S. market, but the micro-compact will still be able to get those precious city parking spaces that no other car can take except the smart. The more powerful U.S. version will have an electric range of 50 to 80 miles with a 16kWh lithium battery. iMiEV Test Drive
Fisker Karma is a luxury sports plug-in hybrid with prices starting around $90,000. With a $528 million DOE conditional loan, Fisker is moving into production with plans to start shipping Karmas to dealers in late 2010. A more affordable family sedan is planned for 2012.
Think has been selling its smaller battery-electric City car in Europe for years. Many of the Copenhagen climate delegates were transported with Think EV. With new capital from EnerDel, Valmet, and Kleiner Perkins, Think hopes to have its financial struggles in the rear view mirror and be on U.S. roads by the end of 2011. Clean Fleet Report
Chrysler has about 40,000 of the GEM 25-mph light electric vehicles (LEV) on the U.S. roads in university towns, fleets, and retirement communities. With federal and local tax breaks, the net cost is under $10,000. With the growth of electric cars and charging stations, sales may actually increase for cost-leading LEV. A sub-compact electric Fiat 500 EV is expected to be offered in the U.S. in 2012, priced in the mid-thirties. In a DOE project, 140 Dodge Ram Truck Plug-in Hybrids are being built.
BYD has over $200 million invested by Warren Buffet. BYD is now selling its plug-in hybrid and E6 battery-electric car in China, but with little success. We expect the plug-in hybrid to be a freeway-speed electric car price leader in the U.S. in 2011. The E6 battery-electric is likely to be more expensive with enough batteries for a 250 electric range. These may take longer than expected to be selling in the U.S. due to tough safety, regulatory hurdles, and charging standards.
CODA plans to deliver an electric car with up to 120 mile charge range using over 33 kWh of lithium batteries from their joint venture with China’s Lishen Power Battery (Lishen). This 4-seat sedan should have more range than the Nissan LEAF and it’s 24kWh battery pack, but may be priced thousands higher than the LEAF. Over $100 million of big name investors back this spin-off of Miles. CODA talks about taking orders by the end of the year, but they appear to be waiting for DOE loans to start manufacturing.
Forecasts and Renewable Energy
Accenture forecasts 1.5 million electric vehicles in the United States by 2015. Over 10 million electric vehicles are easily possible by 2020. Single electric utilities have scenarios for charging over one million electric vehicles in their own service area by 2020. With renewable energy investment required of utilities in 30 states, these utilities are most interested in night time charging of electric vehicles with wind, geothermal, and hydropower. Utilities are also implementing smart grids and incentives for off-peak charging.
By 2011 year end, competition will be intense for electric car leadership. The above Top 10 describe our best guess about the market share leaders for delivered plug-in vehicles on the United States roads in 2011, although not necessarily in order of installed market share. Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles with range extended by engines or fuel cells were all considered.
Over 100 competitors will be fighting for U.S. share by 2012. Some may be struggle to get significant share due to the time and cost of safety and other regulatory approvals, delays in funding, unpleasant surprises from a battery, drive system, or component supplier. It’s a tough business. Even Tesla had to add 700 pounds and two years to get the first Roadsters in customers’ hands.
Honda is certain to be on lists by 2012, if not next year, with their new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid announcements. Honda Lithium Battery and Electric Car Report.
250 smart fortwo ED will be put into U.S. tests this year using Tesla battery packs, but smart is currently targeting the 2013 model year for the first commercial electric car. It will start taking consumer and fleet orders in 2012. BMW will acclerate electric plans in a couple of years.
Volkswagen may teach everyone how to extend range by making vehicles light. The concept Up Light weighs just over 1,500 pounds, but we don’t expect U.S. sales in 2011. Zenn might be there with a commercialized EEstor ultracap that has been in stealth mode for 10 years.
China could have several price leaders being delivered to U.S. customers. India might bring us a Maharinda Reva or Nano EV that under prices everyone. Subaru could make bigger U.S. electric plans. Don’t count out the good old United States “can do” entrepreneurs with exciting innovation and venture capital backing. Some think that V-Vehicles or Aptera will be on the list.
What are your favorite electric cars on the list or off the list? What’s your 2011 forecast? Join the dialog. Check back. We will update the list as the market share battle unfolds.
According to the latest Clean Fleet Report (see below) all the major electric car manufacturers are ramping up production in their electric car divisions to meet the demand.
With so many cars expected to be on the road the demand for a car charging infrastructure will grow significantly. only one company seems to be meeting current and future needs for an electric car charging infrastructure is Car Charging Group Inc, trading as CCGI on the OTCBB. The Company is focusing on the locations where people go and stay for a while. Its business model is second to none as it allows for companies such as malls and parking facilities to focus on their business while gaining a new revenue stream at no cost to them. Their model has already been accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below : http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs
Top 10 Electric Car Makers for 2010 and 2011
By John Addison (updated 8/2/10, original 12/14/09)
Tesla is the first to sell 1,000 electric cars for the U.S. highways. Like its Roadster, the company is going zero to sixty in less than four seconds. Tesla is also developing a roomy Model S hatchback that starts at $57,400, about half the price of the Roadster. The Roadster is battery-electric with a 240 mile range; the Model S will have a remarkable electric range option of 300 miles per charge. Tesla is working with shareholder Toyota to bring back the Toyota RAV4 EV, an electric SUV. Tesla is working with shareholder Daimler to put Smart EDs on U.S. streets this year.
Nissan will be the first auto maker to put over 10,000 electric cars on U.S. highways. About 20,000 have made deposits for Nissan LEAF and several cities are in major partnerships. The LEAF can be purchased starting at $32,780 or $349 per month. The Nissan LEAF is battery-electric with a 100 mile range per charge. LEAF Test drive. This 5-door, 5-seat, hatchback has the right size and range for many who drive under 100 miles daily, or for households with more than one car. Nissan LEAF Details
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) will build on the million car success of Toyota hybrids. At first glance, the PHV looks like another Prius until you spot the J1772 plug for smart charging. Five hundred PHV are in fleet trails from cities to car sharing services. In 2011, U.S. dealer orders were planned, but with Toyota’s 8 million vehicle recall this is may be delayed. Toyota will initially control costs by only using a 5kWh battery for a 14 mile electric range. In late 2011, Toyota will expand its offerings to include a pure battery-electric FT-EV.
General Motors wants to be the plug-in leader with the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid with 40 miles of electric range and added 300 miles by engaging a small gasoline engine to act as a generator. Chevrolet will deliver over 10,000 in 2011. GM has a complete Voltec Propulsion System roadmap which envisions added offerings of pure battery-electric, E85, and diesel. Converj may become the Cadillac of extend-range electrics. Look for a range versus cost battle with Toyota, as the Volt achieves more electric range by adding to vehicle cost with a 16kWh battery. Chevrolet Volt Test Drive
Ford will be selling at least three electric cars by the end of 2011. The best seller will be the Ford Focus EV a battery-electric that we expect to aggressively compete with the Nissan Leaf. Ford will be taking orders for a 2012 plug-in hybrid; likely, it will be the Ford Focus available any way the customer wants it: battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, or fuel efficient sedan. Ford is already selling the Transit Connect Electric compact van. Focus EV Report and Test Drive
Mitsubishi will take orders next year for the 2012 U.S. version of the iMiEV, the best selling EV in Japan. Mitsubishi is currently suggesting a ballpark price in the low 30s. This fun-to-drive 5 door, 4 seat hatchback, will have a wheel base 5 inches wider for the U.S. market, but the micro-compact will still be able to get those precious city parking spaces that no other car can take except the smart. The more powerful U.S. version will have an electric range of 50 to 80 miles with a 16kWh lithium battery. iMiEV Test Drive
Fisker Karma is a luxury sports plug-in hybrid with prices starting around $90,000. With a $528 million DOE conditional loan, Fisker is moving into production with plans to start shipping Karmas to dealers in late 2010. A more affordable family sedan is planned for 2012.
Think has been selling its smaller battery-electric City car in Europe for years. Many of the Copenhagen climate delegates were transported with Think EV. With new capital from EnerDel, Valmet, and Kleiner Perkins, Think hopes to have its financial struggles in the rear view mirror and be on U.S. roads by the end of 2011. Clean Fleet Report
Chrysler has about 40,000 of the GEM 25-mph light electric vehicles (LEV) on the U.S. roads in university towns, fleets, and retirement communities. With federal and local tax breaks, the net cost is under $10,000. With the growth of electric cars and charging stations, sales may actually increase for cost-leading LEV. A sub-compact electric Fiat 500 EV is expected to be offered in the U.S. in 2012, priced in the mid-thirties. In a DOE project, 140 Dodge Ram Truck Plug-in Hybrids are being built.
BYD has over $200 million invested by Warren Buffet. BYD is now selling its plug-in hybrid and E6 battery-electric car in China, but with little success. We expect the plug-in hybrid to be a freeway-speed electric car price leader in the U.S. in 2011. The E6 battery-electric is likely to be more expensive with enough batteries for a 250 electric range. These may take longer than expected to be selling in the U.S. due to tough safety, regulatory hurdles, and charging standards.
CODA plans to deliver an electric car with up to 120 mile charge range using over 33 kWh of lithium batteries from their joint venture with China’s Lishen Power Battery (Lishen). This 4-seat sedan should have more range than the Nissan LEAF and it’s 24kWh battery pack, but may be priced thousands higher than the LEAF. Over $100 million of big name investors back this spin-off of Miles. CODA talks about taking orders by the end of the year, but they appear to be waiting for DOE loans to start manufacturing.
Forecasts and Renewable Energy
Accenture forecasts 1.5 million electric vehicles in the United States by 2015. Over 10 million electric vehicles are easily possible by 2020. Single electric utilities have scenarios for charging over one million electric vehicles in their own service area by 2020. With renewable energy investment required of utilities in 30 states, these utilities are most interested in night time charging of electric vehicles with wind, geothermal, and hydropower. Utilities are also implementing smart grids and incentives for off-peak charging.
By 2011 year end, competition will be intense for electric car leadership. The above Top 10 describe our best guess about the market share leaders for delivered plug-in vehicles on the United States roads in 2011, although not necessarily in order of installed market share. Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles with range extended by engines or fuel cells were all considered.
Over 100 competitors will be fighting for U.S. share by 2012. Some may be struggle to get significant share due to the time and cost of safety and other regulatory approvals, delays in funding, unpleasant surprises from a battery, drive system, or component supplier. It’s a tough business. Even Tesla had to add 700 pounds and two years to get the first Roadsters in customers’ hands.
Honda is certain to be on lists by 2012, if not next year, with their new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid announcements. Honda Lithium Battery and Electric Car Report.
250 smart fortwo ED will be put into U.S. tests this year using Tesla battery packs, but smart is currently targeting the 2013 model year for the first commercial electric car. It will start taking consumer and fleet orders in 2012. BMW will acclerate electric plans in a couple of years.
Volkswagen may teach everyone how to extend range by making vehicles light. The concept Up Light weighs just over 1,500 pounds, but we don’t expect U.S. sales in 2011. Zenn might be there with a commercialized EEstor ultracap that has been in stealth mode for 10 years.
China could have several price leaders being delivered to U.S. customers. India might bring us a Maharinda Reva or Nano EV that under prices everyone. Subaru could make bigger U.S. electric plans. Don’t count out the good old United States “can do” entrepreneurs with exciting innovation and venture capital backing. Some think that V-Vehicles or Aptera will be on the list.
What are your favorite electric cars on the list or off the list? What’s your 2011 forecast? Join the dialog. Check back. We will update the list as the market share battle unfolds.
Higher Than Expected Revenues For Providers of Electric Car Charging Stations
The Obama administration is predicting a 70% drop in the price if car charging batteries by 2015 and the US Department of Energy is also predicting a considerable drop in per kilowatt costs to charge up an electric car in the coming years.
What does this mean? it means that the time gap between first adaptors of electric cars and main stream electric car purchases will narrow significantly in the next couple of years. Ergo, the demand for an electric car charging infrastructure will be growing exponentially and Car Charging Group Inc., trading as CCGI on the OTCBB seems to be the main game in town to meet the demand. Its business model allows for rapid market development and is already accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below : http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs_agreement_with_laz_parking_to_197360.html
In a July article in Government Fleet:Obama Predicts Electric Car Battery Prices Will Drop 70 Percent
HOLLAND, MI - The cost of the high-powered batteries needed for a coming wave of electric cars is projected to drop by as much as 70 percent over the next five years, according to a U.S. government forecast.
The forecast was released as President Barack Obama attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery plant being built in Holland, Mich., by a U.S. unit of South Korea's LG Chem and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, according to Reuters.
The Obama administration has provided more than $5 billion in grants and low-cost loans to battery manufacturers and auto companies to support projects intended to spur the development and sale of rechargeable electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
But the high cost of the lithium-ion batteries to power those vehicles has been seen as one of the biggest barriers to their widespread adoption.
The U.S. government had never set a target for the kinds of cost reductions it expected to see in the fast-developing industry it is attempting to jump-start with taxpayer funding.
"Because of advances in the manufacture of these batteries, their costs are expected to come down by nearly 70 percent in the next few years. That's going to make electric and hybrid cars and trucks more affordable for more Americans," Obama told an audience of politicians, business leaders, and representatives of the 300 workers building the new plant.
The battery price declines projected by the Obama administration, which has set a target of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015, run deeper and faster than most forecasts by outside analysts.
LG Chem Chief Executive Bahnsuk Kim said his company sees a 50 percent drop in battery prices by 2015, and he expected that would be enough to drive increased demand.
In the terms tracked by the emerging electric vehicle industry, the Department of Energy said it expected battery costs per kilowatt hour to drop from about $1,000 in 2009 to $300 in 2015 and $100 in 2030.
Major U.S. automakers have set a long-term target of reducing costs on that basis to near $250, a price that would be in line with the cost to produce batteries for laptops and cell phones.
The lithium-ion battery that powers Tesla Motors Inc's $109,000 Roadster cost more than $33,000, according to the Department of Energy report.
The smaller battery LG Chem is supplying for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt from General Motors [GM.UL] cost $13,000 last year but will drop to $4,000 by 2015, the report said.
Both GM and Tesla have received Energy Department funding.
LG Chem's Compact Power unit has won deals to supply batteries for the Chevy Volt and the upcoming all-electric version of the Ford Motor Co Focus.
It said that it had also been selected to supply batteries for hybrid systems which Eaton Corp is developing for commercial trucks and buses.
Compact Power's Holland plant will have the capacity to supply batteries for up to 250,000 electric vehicles once completed and will employ 400 workers, the company said.
LG Chem and the U.S. Department of Energy split the costs of building the $303 million plant. The Korean chemical and battery maker invested $151.5 million and $151.4 million came from a U.S. government grant.
White House economists estimate that the United States accounted for 2 percent of global production of batteries for electric cars and hybrids in 2009. That share is expected to rise to 40 percent of global production by 2015, according to Reuters.
What does this mean? it means that the time gap between first adaptors of electric cars and main stream electric car purchases will narrow significantly in the next couple of years. Ergo, the demand for an electric car charging infrastructure will be growing exponentially and Car Charging Group Inc., trading as CCGI on the OTCBB seems to be the main game in town to meet the demand. Its business model allows for rapid market development and is already accepted by major companies such as LAZ Parking. See Forbes article below : http://www.forbes.com/feeds/globenewswire/2010/07/23/car_charging_group_inc_signs_agreement_with_laz_parking_to_197360.html
In a July article in Government Fleet:Obama Predicts Electric Car Battery Prices Will Drop 70 Percent
HOLLAND, MI - The cost of the high-powered batteries needed for a coming wave of electric cars is projected to drop by as much as 70 percent over the next five years, according to a U.S. government forecast.
The forecast was released as President Barack Obama attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery plant being built in Holland, Mich., by a U.S. unit of South Korea's LG Chem and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, according to Reuters.
The Obama administration has provided more than $5 billion in grants and low-cost loans to battery manufacturers and auto companies to support projects intended to spur the development and sale of rechargeable electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
But the high cost of the lithium-ion batteries to power those vehicles has been seen as one of the biggest barriers to their widespread adoption.
The U.S. government had never set a target for the kinds of cost reductions it expected to see in the fast-developing industry it is attempting to jump-start with taxpayer funding.
"Because of advances in the manufacture of these batteries, their costs are expected to come down by nearly 70 percent in the next few years. That's going to make electric and hybrid cars and trucks more affordable for more Americans," Obama told an audience of politicians, business leaders, and representatives of the 300 workers building the new plant.
The battery price declines projected by the Obama administration, which has set a target of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015, run deeper and faster than most forecasts by outside analysts.
LG Chem Chief Executive Bahnsuk Kim said his company sees a 50 percent drop in battery prices by 2015, and he expected that would be enough to drive increased demand.
In the terms tracked by the emerging electric vehicle industry, the Department of Energy said it expected battery costs per kilowatt hour to drop from about $1,000 in 2009 to $300 in 2015 and $100 in 2030.
Major U.S. automakers have set a long-term target of reducing costs on that basis to near $250, a price that would be in line with the cost to produce batteries for laptops and cell phones.
The lithium-ion battery that powers Tesla Motors Inc's $109,000 Roadster cost more than $33,000, according to the Department of Energy report.
The smaller battery LG Chem is supplying for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt from General Motors [GM.UL] cost $13,000 last year but will drop to $4,000 by 2015, the report said.
Both GM and Tesla have received Energy Department funding.
LG Chem's Compact Power unit has won deals to supply batteries for the Chevy Volt and the upcoming all-electric version of the Ford Motor Co Focus.
It said that it had also been selected to supply batteries for hybrid systems which Eaton Corp is developing for commercial trucks and buses.
Compact Power's Holland plant will have the capacity to supply batteries for up to 250,000 electric vehicles once completed and will employ 400 workers, the company said.
LG Chem and the U.S. Department of Energy split the costs of building the $303 million plant. The Korean chemical and battery maker invested $151.5 million and $151.4 million came from a U.S. government grant.
White House economists estimate that the United States accounted for 2 percent of global production of batteries for electric cars and hybrids in 2009. That share is expected to rise to 40 percent of global production by 2015, according to Reuters.
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