An article on wardsauto.com today says that many in the auto industry are still skeptical about the near-term future of pure electric vehicles (EVs), despite Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s large-scale commitment to the technology.
“Many industry experts believe Ghosn’s vision of near-future EV demand is a daydream, distorted by over-optimism and colored by an unrealistic view of battery costs, prompting unanswered questions as to just how high incentives and subsidies will need to go to create sufficient EV demand,” the article says.
Some of the experts interviewed for the story contend that conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevy Volt, will provide a more reliable bridge to the future. Most point to long recharge times, limited driving range and high battery costs as stumbling blocks for pure EVs.
The article goes on to say that Nissan has omitted some key details when describing the Nissan Leaf’s 100-mile driving range. “The Leaf’s 100-mile range is achieved without engaging the car’s air conditioner and heater, which knocks off 30%. Also, the life of the battery for automotive use is estimated at only four to five years,” the story says.
Experts quoted in the story also asked where government incentives would come from, given the fact that the U.S., Japan, and much of the European Union are mired in massive debt.
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