Electric Car Revolution has started around the world

Has the Electric car revolution finally started?

On 18 April 2016, Netherlands moved a resolution in its parliament to ban the sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2025. While this motion did not show instant results in the country itself, but this step became a catalyst for electric car revolution elsewhere.

On 4th of June 2016, it was announced by Norway that petrol and diesel cars ban comes will come into effect by 2025. Despite its extremely cold weather, which is not conducive for electric car batteries; Norwegians are very conscientious about their ecological footprint. And therefore almost 25% of Norway’s cars already are electric.

In October 2016, Germany announced a similar a similar ban by 2030. This was a very brave decision by the German government as the Germany is the hub of car manufacturing in the Europe. The car lobby is very strong and the decision required a strong resolve. In other countries, the car sale ban only affected the customers. In Germany, it would hit both the customers and the manufacturers. And therefore it is commendable step by the German government.

The most surprising entry to this club of leading countries was India, which announced the stoppage of all petrol & diesel cars by 2030 in early June of 2017. It should be noted that India would need the biggest transformation in infrastructure for accommodating electric vehicles. And yet the country did not shy away from this bold decision.

Global Electric Car Revolution

Global Electric Car Revolution

A month later after India’s announcement,   on the 6th July 2017, France banned internal combustion Engine car sales by 2040.

Similarly on 5th September 2017 Scottish Government has also banned the sale of ICE cars by 2032. Scottish government generally remains a step ahead of the UK government when it comes to measures relating to Renewable energy and sustainability.  It should be noted that the U.K had earlier announced that it would ban sales of new gasoline and diesel cars, but the deadline given was 2040.

Furthermore, Austria, Denmark, , Ireland, Japan,  Portugal, Korea and Spain, all  have set official targets for electric car sales. The United States doesn’t have a federal policy, but at least eight states have set out goals.

China which is the biggest market for cars, not just electric cars has recently shown intent in banning ICE cars.  China currently accounts for more than 40% of the electric cars sold in the world and more than double the number sold in the U.S.

Interestingly China and the U.S are the top 2 countries when it comes to electric car sales.

The leaders in China want to curb the countries growing appetite for imported oil and see electric cars as a promising industry in which their country can take an early lead. Directives have been issued to the key players in China to research and chalk out a timetable that will be practical to follow for transition to electric car.

Many governments have certainly played their part. It is now up to the car manufacturer to step to the plate.  Many manufacturers including the big three in the US are putting their weight behind electric cars. GM has successfully rolled out Chevy Volt and Bolt. Tesla is marching full steam and have orders for  over 250,000 cars  on their books. They have got their work cut out  for the next two years at least.

The company to have shown a complete turnaround is Volkswagen. The German car giant has recently announced the “TRANSFORM2025+” strategy, that foresees the sale of 1 million electric vehicles per year by 2025 . This number will be accounted for by around 30 different models right across the Group brands.

Chinese Car manufacturers like BYD have also been able to carve a slice from this emerging market. We cannot discount the role of Elon Musk in this revolution. After all it was his Tesla motor company that re-ventured into electric cars when other big manufacturers had ditched the technology. Also notable mentions are Nissan with its Leaf and Toyota with its Prius showed the world that Electric cars are a profitable niche.

 

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