2018: Electric Vehicles Everywhere?

As part of a world market leader in the automotive industry whose mission is to earn customers for life, my organization strives to know and take care of customers – both now and in the future. We’re always thinking ahead and considering the impact we have on our customers and the world, which is why we prioritize environmental sustainability through various initiatives, including the development of Electric Vehicles (EVs).

Building Electric Vehicles is just one of the many efforts made toward reducing the environmental impact of our vehicles and facilities. We saved millions of dollars in energy costs and avoided hundreds of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions in 2016 alone, yet EVs continue to take the spotlight when it comes to trends across the industry. A lot has changed since 2016 - here are three things you can expect to see this year.

1. Going native.

According to this article by McKinsey, Native EVs optimize battery packaging; non-native EVs limit the realized energy capacity. A Native EV battery pack, which has a simple, rectangular shape, gives native EVs up to twice the range—over 300 kilometers per charge and up to approximately 400 kilometers for the best performers. In addition, native EVs achieve a larger interior space for the same wheelbase compared with not non-native counterparts. Fleet Carma notes Chrysler, Cadillac, Kia and Toyota as stand out brands for Hybrid EVs with more range. Curious about how they do it? Watch this video about how General Motors makes the Chevy Bolt EV.

2. Saving money.

According to Fleet Carma, a lot of these long-range EVs are clocking in at below $30,000 USD, like the new Nissan Leaf (150 miles, $29,900) which is projected to arrive in U.S. dealerships early 2018. By mid-year, Leaf will join others like the Chevy Bolt EV ($37,500 before incentives) at the low end of the market. For the first time ever, consumers will have low-cost, high-quality choices with substantial range (over 100 miles) and fast-charging options. The vehicles themselves are becoming less expensive, but consumers will also save a substantial amount in gas money, according to this infographic from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

3. Emitting zero.

For several years, electric cars weren’t exactly so eco-friendly. Coal-fired plants were used as the main energy source for powering the grid. The good news is that more and more states are upgrading their grids with renewables, moving us closer to zero emissions. Individual EV owners can also generate solar power from their homes which guarantees zero-emission transport.

As we move into 2018, we can expect to see more and more plug-in vehicle options, according to Forbes – and 2018 is just the beginning. BMW is aiming for 500,000 in total by 2020 and GM claims the company will sell over a million EVs per year by 2026. The Union of Concerned Scientists even states electricity could power more than 40% of all new vehicles sold in 2035.

The new year is without a doubt bringing innovation to the automotive industry. These advancements in technology and shifts in priority toward global sustainability will continue to disrupt the marketplace and drive business forward in 2018 and beyond.