Many are asking what will the car industry look like in the next few years? When will ICE's (Internal Combustion Engines) leave for good? Will they leave for good?
Today we're going to try and give some answers to the main questions we may have about Electric Vehicles and future.
Here are some quick points for you to digest on today's topic of EV's.
#1 - Battery technology, while it is getting better, it is not where it needs to be.
It's no secret that battery tech keeps getting better and better. Lithium Ion and other sources have taken new battery life to new levels. EV's are benefactors of that and have charge ranges averaging around the mid-200 mile radius. And it's only going to get better from there. The new RAM 1500 EV is reported to last nearly 500 miles! But to constantly maintain that amount of charge for the lifetime of the vehicle may turn out to be a pricey venture, should the battery life fade and new batteries need to be installed. Currently, battery life and charging capabilities are a drawback, but will undoubtedly increase in practicality in the near future.
#2 - EV technology has to essentially throw Internal Combustion Engine technology out.
Gas engines have been powering cars since Carl Benz made his first automobile in 1879. That's almost 150 years ago! Since then, we've seen the Model T's, muscle cars, Smart cars, and many other types. But interestingly enough, in 1859 there was reportedly the world's first battery powered electric car which had a radius of 50 miles. So even before gas transportation was the king, electric cars were already existing in that area. EV's have quietly grown alongside gas technology for all those years, and are now taking the world stage. The technology isn't as new as many believe, but it's not as refined. But there's no doubt in my mind it will advance to the point that it will become practical and affordable at some point for most people to own some form of EV.
#3 - Oil tycoons are still in charge.
Let's face it -- most of us are keenly watching gas prices these days. If it goes up, we want to sever heads. If it goes down, it still doesn't go down enough and we still want to sever heads. If you think that ExxonMobile or Shell are just going to stop producing fuel because EV's are here, think again. These companies are multimillion (and billion) dollar commodities and will not go down without a fight. This point might be the biggest point I make, because this industry will not go away quietly. Their dads, grandads, and great grandads have put their lives into these businesses. They won't just stop producing fuel because of consumers being told to stop driving gas powered vehicles. I may not be 100% correct on this point, but I'm very confident in this case.
So what can we deduce from this?
We live in a petroleum based economy. To change this would require a monumental shift that I don't believe can happen overnight. In my opinion, I may never see ICE's go away in my lifetime and I'm good with that! I love the smell of a carbed motor idling. Gas motors have life to them. They all have a personality. There's something beautiful about driving a vehicle powered by tiny explosions in a cylinder. Someday though, it's quite possible most vehicles could be electric and may be implemented by federal mandate. But we can't read the future from the present. So for now, I don't believe EV's are taking over...at least not yet.
Have a great rest of your week,
The CarKeeper
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