Sunday 30 August 2009

Electric mobility deployment

The last days have again shown in Austria that utilities tend to oversimplify things regarding battery electric cars. They are tending towards the belief that they have only to provide charging spots and turnover will rocket. However it is not really wise to think so.
Existing OEMs are struggling themselves are not able to give away BEVs for little money and there is little hope that the state will pay the difference in price which mainly is caused by the big big battery. So what to do? Battery exchange is not feasible now for two reasons:
  • OEMs should use similar batteries
  • batteries should be a standardised product
Point 1: Reduce battery size as low as reasonable acceptable
In parallel the mobility system should adapt. There is little need for a 1.6 ton car which runs 10km a day at an average velocity of 35km/h. The system should allow choosing the right vehicle for the right task. Now this may be best done after sale because demand may change. There are may options to improve the sizing but OEMs should develop new modular concepts capable of been altered after sale in order to increase range and /or capacity.
Point2: rethink car concepts - from one box to building blocks
and utilities shoudl develop new support models covering all issues creating costs or inconveniences for drivers of BEV.
Point 3: offer users the possibility to exchange BEVs not fit for the task after purchase.
This will create thrust in the system.

This 1-23- way it will work.
First propulsion, then vehicle comtecst and last but not least extended customer care.

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