IBM Study Looks at Electric Vehicle Hurdles

Many in the automobile industry are hoping that sales of all-electric cars, or EVs, will rejuvenate auto sales. But consumers have high expectations for EVs. They demand a range of 100 miles or more, convenient recharging, and inexpensive installation of home charging stations, according to a recent IBM survey. The study, by the IBM Institute for Business Value, surveyed 1,716 U.S. drivers on the likelihood that they would purchase an electric vehicle and the factors that might motivate them to do so.

 

Study Explores Fire Risk on EV Batteries

NHTSA is conducting an $8.75 million study on fire hazards of lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Regulators want to know if the batteries can start fires while being charged or in an accident.

 

Study Debunks Need for EVs

As the federal government plans to tighten emissions regulations and significantly increase CAFE standards, a new study from the Boston Consulting Group says automakers will be able to achieve these new regulations with improving gasoline engine technology. These technologies will take the pressure off automakers to move to electric vehicles. Advanced combustion technologies can cut tailpipe emissions 40 percent in new vehicles at a cost to the consumer of about $2,000 per car. The cost of these technology changes is likely to be half of what was expected three years ago.

Edmunds Sees US Auto Sales Recovery Being Slower than Other Forecasts

Lacey Plache, Edmunds' chief economist, thinks that the US economy?s slow expansion, high jobless rate, and weakness in housing will cause a slower sales return than what?s expected by other analysts. Edmunds expects that US auto sales will top 16 million mark it last reached in 2007, but is unlikely to get there until the second half of the decade.

 

Fuel-Efficient Diesel, Gas Engines and Electric Drive Fuel Bosch’s Revenue Growth

Major auto parts supplier Bosch Automotive Group is surpassing its previous sales threshold, and the growth is coming from demand for products it manufactures for automakers worldwide to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicles they sell. Bosch is aiming to reduce fuel consumption in diesel and gasoline vehicles by 30%, and is also looking forward to its electric-drive technologies being in demand.