Plug-In Recap

Back at home with the 5 week old and the 5 year old (as well as my bride). I would have to say my first Plug-In Conference was a success. Here's what I learned...

Charging - The battle to create the next evolution of the gas station is underway. It will show up at grocery stores, drug stores and big box retailers (because you need to kill some time while you juice up). Expect big things to happen along the west coast and in key markets in the midwest and southeast. A myriad of announcements will be in the offing and the first chargers will hit aforementioned locations late this year/early next year.

EV - Talk of the town was the pricing of the Volt and the Leaf matching the battery warranty of Chevrolet. At this point the ponies are in the starting gate and we are all ready for the bell to ring.

Future - Lots of interesting takes on why EV will happen (either because you want to save the planet or because our national security depends on it). Question is how much and how long will govt. subsidization last and will alternative distribution pop up for these products. Current car dealers can be none too thrilled as EVs do not support their current business model (making money on routine service repairs). Alternative distribution is going to be needed but who will step up.

The panel ended up going great and was a lot of fun. Special thanks to the organizers for pulling it all together.

Plug-In 2010 - Panel

Just wrapped up a panel on Innovative Business Models with a representative from Better Place and the CEO of Mission Motors. Really interesting companies and smart folks on top of that. Interesting questions from the audience regarding charging infrastructure and the role retail can play in the bustling EV space. Fairly friendly crew and I enjoyed the participation.

About to do my first interview on the topic with wwww.triplepundit.com. I'll post the link once it publishes.

UK Govt Takes Hatchet to EV Incentives

Tally Ho! The new coalition government in the UK has whacked subsidies for EVs (from over 200M pounds to 43M). Understandable they would take a bit more of tough look at it due to budget constraints but will this move stunt EV uptake in the UK? I don't see how it won't.

Greenpeace has already weighed in on this change and is non-too pleased. Expect Rainbow Warrior to sail up the Thames and try to storm parliament.

Plug-In 2010 - Day 2

As expected it has been an event full of announcements. The big one was of course the Volt price point of 41K (before subsidy). Some were excited and some were down about it. As always the market will tell.

This is the conference of charging with dozens of companies with fancy stations to show off and try to sell. A clear push to get the infrastructure in the ground (specifically from a public standpoint) is underway. Question that is popping up is will we see consolidation in the industry and who will be the leader of it.

First Drive: Think City EV's New Lithium-Ion Batteries Give Much-Needed Range, Power

Good news, Norwegian style...Think's new battery is getting a range of around 100 miles. This is the number that appears to be magical with customers with "range anxiety." Good for Think. The industry can use scrappy start ups.

The Chevy Volt’s Sticker: $41,000

First news from the show...Volt lights up the day with a 41K sticker (after rebates it will land around 32K). Are you going to buy one?

Live from Plug-In 2010

Crouched over a laptop in our booth at Plug-In 2010 while our revenue generating employees are en route. Should be an interesting day with everyone's favorite Austro-American Governor speaking later today. Lots of charging activity and a spiffy new Volt right by our spot. Looking forward to the day.

Stay tuned for details as I get them.

Bill Would Make Half of All Cars Electric By 2030

Plug-In heads are holding their breath that this bill will get passed now that it is out of committee. Still a long way to go but certainly an interesting and controversial idea. We will see where it goes.

Portland set jumpstart electric-car future with new policies

In a race to see who can get the most green merit badges, Portland (and Mayor Sam Adams) have pulled ahead of San Francisco (and Mayor Gavin Newsom) by enacting incentives for EVs to populate the greater metro area. It's well known the two are dueling for title of "greenest city/mayor in America.

In addition to the obligatory "good" parking spots the city promises to make it easy for charging stations to be enacted. One of the more bizarre promises is the city claiming to make it easier for garage-less EV owners to have an easier time charging at home. How they plan to do that exactly (short of having charging stations deployed like parking meters) remains to be seen.

Now all we need is actual EV's to make the Mayor's dream a reality.

Gavin, you're on the clock. What's your move?

ELECTRIC VEHICLES WON'T BRING DOWN THE POWER GRID

Time to remove thumb from panic button, take a step back and breathe EV lovers. Your EV will not bring down the grid. According to Discovery News (seriously) the panic around the grid becoming susceptible to collapse due to us all plugging in our cars at the same time is simply misguided. Why? Because even with 250K plug-in vehicles in the US charging at the same time it's simply not enough to bring it down. Whether true or false it's nice to see someone challenging the notion that EV adoption will indoctrinate us to third world rolling blackouts.

GE Unveils the Plan for Wattstation

GE told the world about WattStation last week and now gives us some additional data. Good play for GE as charging is a new entree into the home and will lead to bigger and better things in the home management space.

By the way, hats off to the folks in Connecticut for actually putting a design element into the charging station. I admit it's not what I would have expected from them. Well done.

Toyota and Tesla Plan an Electric RAV4

Somewhere in Southern California Ed Begley Jr is celebrating.

Appears the Tesla/Toyota deal is a bit more than Elon Musk getting more PR. The two are teaming up to resurrect the electric RAV-4 (which made a brief appearance back in the 90's/early 2000's). Tesla's on the hook for delivering a fleet of prototypes this year and the two will likely be using the now resurrected NUMMI plant in Northern California. Nice move for Tesla who appears to be treating its new found public status with the right type of enthusiasm.

Brammo Announces 100 MPH Electric Motorcycle With 100 Mile Range

Brammo, the first e-motorcycle manufacturer to come to market with a product geared for the masses, unveiled its latest creation the Empulse. The latest iteration will come in three flavors (60 mile, 80 mile and 100 mile range) with prices commensurate to performance. Good news is all three will qualify for some level of rebate (depending on where you live and what level of performance you select). Interesting to see if this move opens up a category of products (many have made announcements but for now Brammo is the leader in the clubhouse.

Chevrolet Stands Behind Volt With Standard Eight-Year, 100,000-Mile Battery Warranty

GM plants the flag on assurance with a high standard. They are giving customers permission to invest in this vehicle by taking the concern out of the battery. Well done.

I am awaiting the new video of "Who Saved The Electric Car" starring the GM Volt crew.

Electric-Car Maker ZAP To Acquire China’s Jonway

ZAP joins up with a Chinese auto manufacturer to increase production and scope of their EV lineup. A company with a long history in the EV space (from scooters to cars) and is currently a finalist in the X-Prize with their very cool 3 wheel vehicle. This is an aggressive company with a lot of experience in the EV space. Best not to count them out. Full article in link.
CB

New eZONE Electric Vehicle Plant Brings Green Jobs to South Carolina

Lead entrant in the medium/low speed EV space makes another announcement on their burgeoning presence in the US. Interesting concept and strategy on how vehicles will be used for specific purposes. Not one size fits all. Industry data puts low speed EVs in a market that can be as big as 38M HH. A new category to emerge in transportation? Will be interesting.
CB

Mitsubishi Says i-MiEV Could Have Sub-$30K Price Tag

Mitsubishi really wants to make a splash with the i-MiEV. The sticker price has always been thought to be in the mid 50's here in the states but now it appears it may come out below 30K (assume that includes federal rebates). Do not know what type of hit they are taking but you have to love the aggressiveness. Full article in link.
CB

I'm back...

Took some time off due to birth of child. Little guy is great and mom, dad and sister are tired.