Production of consumer hybrid and EVs 'set to grow'

Date: 20/7/2011

The production of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) aimed at the consumer market looks set to increase more than fourfold over the next few years.

According to ABI Research, the combined global output of this type of motor stood at 1.15 million units in 2010.

The group forecasts that worldwide production of these green vehicles will stand at 4.9 million by 2016.

It notes that one of the major drivers of the popularity of these cars in recent years has been the input of established brands like Nissan and Mitsubishi with the pure electric and plug-in hybrids they have created.

However, ABI Research Principal Analyst David Alexander notes: "Initial cost is still an issue for both hybrid and EVs, despite the considerable government incentives offered in many countries."

The group points out that battery technology is now evolving as regular breakthroughs are cited in their chemistry.

But it adds that the reality of mass producing these cells will mean customers have five more years to wait before they can benefit from these improvements.

Robert Hokin, Chief Executive of ecoConnect CIC, recently claimed that storage technology is one of the areas of EVs that is in need of improvement.

He forecasts that the next generation of this type of vehicle is likely to be fuelled by multiple batteries.

Posted by Nick Anderson