The move to all-electric cars may happen faster than we all think
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| BMW has committed that all it's cars will be 100% electric within 10 years |
The age of electric vehicles may finally be upon us – or at least that's what BMW is banking on. BMW recently announced that it will convert all models to electric drive trains, range-extending engines, and plug-in hybrids over the next decade in response to a coming series of strict EU carbon emissions laws. The company's 3 Series sport sedans will even become plug-ins. The transition is a dramatic statement from one of the world's most recognized and well-regarded car brands.
At the 2016 Paris auto show electric cars were definitely in style this year with every major car maker and many new companies showing off what they have.
In some cases they are showing prototypes of vehicles that may be produced someday but many are showing off electric cars that are being sold right now.
BMW was interviewed by Bloomberg news and it is very obvious that BMW considers electric vehicles or e-mobility to be the wave of the future and today. Many have predicted that it will take decades to adopt electric vehicles in any meaningful number. There are all after all billions of combustion engine cars on the road today right?
The truth is that battery technology is improving so quickly that it will not be very long before electric vehicles offer longer range than combustion engine models. Electric vehicles already benefit from faster acceleration, longer life, longer warranties and very little maintenance.
I wonder if BMW believes this e-mobility revolution is likely to come much quicker that most people predict?
According to BMW, the i3 is made of carbon fibre and weighs much less than most vehicles. It has a range of 160 kilometer's and takes about four hours to recharge with a special 240-volt charger, or 12 to 14 hours with a regular household electrical outlet.
Time will tell what effect BMW's move to an electric focus will have, but at this stage EVs still appear very much in their infancy, and if BMW's change goes through as advertised it could represent a seismic shift in the market. BMW is pushing forward with other electric initiatives including its first all-electric tractor trailer. Germany has not been a major EV market in the past, but this move could change the situation going forward.
One question that BMW's announcement raises though, is what effect a known brand name going all electric will have on the market? It's possible that BMWs will prove to be supremely attractive electric vehicles and the announcement will jump start that market. That seems unlikely though given the limited demand for the company's existing EVs. What's more plausible is that consumers may, in effect, be forced to buy an EV if they want a BMW. It is also possible that BMW's move will spur other car makers to follow suit.