14 March 2011

Here’s a bold statement from David Raistrick, automotive partner and head of manufacturing at Deloitte UK: “There is no doubt that electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry”.

Well David, I know you’re a nice guy, super-bright and all that, but I’m really not sure I agree with you. They might be part of the future of the automotive industry – but the whole future? I don’t think so.

Mind you, having been at the Geneva Motor Show I can well understand why you might have come away with that impression. An alien popping down to earth for the first time would have discovered that all our transport systems are either green or blue, and that all personal transport is permanently plugged into some kind of charging system.

I’m guessing range is not an issue if you’re flying space craft; but it is an issue if you need to get from London to Bristol (I know, take the train) or you’re stuck in a traffic jam on your way home on a wet, cold evening in London.

And it seems European car buyers agree. In a survey by Deloitte, three-quarters of them said that, before they would consider purchasing an EV, they would expect it to be able to travel 300 miles between charges and 67% said the battery must take no longer than two hours to charge.

So it was interesting to join a private dinner, hosted by SWR Waste Management, earlier this week to discuss this very topic. Around the table were several senior auto retail group bosses and car manufacturers, many of whom are about to start selling (or leasing) EVs in the next few months.

Contrary to my expectations, it soon became clear that a great deal of thought has already gone into how these vehicles could affect the future of auto retailing. And retailers are not burying their heads in the sand over environmental issues, carbon footprints or electric vehicles.

But, in the final analysis, retailers can only sell what the public want to buy. The overwhelming message from the forecourts is that there is zero interest from retail customers in electric cars – and, if we can get another 40% efficiency out of the internal combustion engine, that remains the future of the automotive industry.

Let’s hope all those concept cars in Geneva don’t turn out to be white (or green or blue) elephants.

Whatever kind of cars you’re selling, have a good week. If you have a story for us, or just want to get something off your chest, email rupert@auto-retail.com

Rupert Saunders

PS: extra bonus points if you e-mail me with the source of my headline quote

Tags: C-Zero, Electric Vehicles, EVs, future, i-Miev., iOn, Nissan Lead, This Week