The International Energy Agency suggests that a lack of consumer understanding and awareness of electric vehicles actually inhibits the expansion of EV markets .
One of the largest barriers to entry for general acceptance , even ubiquity for EVs globally , is infrastructure – or lack thereof . Without the ability to charge / refuel EVs quickly and economically in a convenient manner was and still is , the largest dark cloud hanging over the head of this means of fueling transport .
There was a rush to open more EV charging stations in North America around 2010 .
However , it ’ s still not even close to a tipping point .
Interestingly enough , there are more Tesla charging stations found today on the island of Manhattan than gas stations , and there are more EV charging stations than gas stations in Japan .
Heck , even in the south end of Barrie , Ontario there are eight proprietary Tesla charging stations in a retail mall parking lot just off the main highway . Eight . But before anyone gets up on their high horse , there ’ s a rational reason for it . Barrie is about half way to cottage country to some of the more ridiculous-priced real estate in the Muskoka region . It ’ s also en route to the several humps on the landscape Ontarians refer to as ski hills .
The number of public EV charging stations in the U . S . has increased to more than 32,000 outlets with around 13,000 actual “ stations ” available in late 2015 ( according to the U . S . Department of Energy ) – up from 8,000 in 2012 . In Canada today there are now , according to CAA , 4,410 stations of all kinds ( Level 1 , 2 and 3 ) available .
While this may be impressive , the path to a new era of dominance by electric vehicles seems distant – daunting , even . Will EVs replace gasoline-powered cars in the foreseeable future ? In North American , this seems unlikely . With low gas prices , and new additives that reduce pollution and tougher emissions and lower mileage requirements make the transition to electric less pressing .
Jennifer Barron , Director at Lexus Canada has stated that within North America , generally and Canada , specifically , the desire to purchase some type of EV – whether a hybrid or even an all-electric vehicle is still a ways off . For example , in the United Kingdom where gasoline costs , like much of Europe remains high , diesel-fueled engines were once considered a viable solution . For example , in the UK today , 95 percent of all Lexus vehicles sold are now some form of EV . In other words , market conditions and high fuel costs have contributed to this phenomenon . Without making a categorical statement , one may extrapolate that until such time as the reliance and availability of relatively inexpensive fossil fuels changes , the pendulum will only swing so far on this continent .
In fact , a mid-2016 report by the International Energy Agency suggests that a lack of consumer understanding and awareness of electric vehicles actually inhibits the expansion of EV markets .
Furthermore , EV production has a long way to go to achieve the necessary economies of scale that will drive down costs in a meaningful manner to compete with gasolinepowered vehicles – without subsidies or government incentives . Are eco / green cars in our future ? Of course . They are now – whether it ’ s fuel efficient gasoline-powered internal combustion engines , dieselpowered , battery EV , plug in EV and hybrid – even alternate means of fuel such as fuel cell electric from Toyota , Honda and Hyundai , scientists are looking for what may be the next big thing as a practical , plentiful and clean means of powering the one thing we as a race have a hard time stepping away from – our long-term affair with cars , crossovers and trucks .
10 THE DRIVER