Despite reaching new heights in 2012, EV sales still puttered along at a slower pace than some automakers originally guessed.
What some see as a cooling market already has certain makers pulling the plug on EV projects. For example, Audi just announced that it won’t build its A2 EV. But that doesn’t mean everything related to the charge-dependent cars will be a wash, at least not if a new Pike Research report is to be given any credit.
Pike says electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shipments are expected to reach about 2.4 million by 2020 — a staggering figure when you consider the industry sits at about 200,000 today. But what does all that mean?
Well, more than anything it would indicate that charging infrastructure networks are likely to continue growing. While that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that EVs will manage to push past a difficult entry to the market, it will certainly help.
SEE ALSO: Tesla Supercharger Network Launched for Fast Charging
Insufficient charging infrastructure is one of the main reasons why consumers choose to avoid buying electric cars. While range anxiety would still be an issue, that fear would likely be much less serious. Automakers are already addressing the need for fast charging solutions. Tesla’s network of Model S owner-exclusive “superchargers” are supposed to offer enough charge to carry a car for three hours at 60 mph in only 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, BMW is gearing up to launch its i3 EV this year, which was supposed to reach an 80 percent charge in an hour’s time as a concept car.
While seven years is more than enough time for both of those cars to flounder with insufficient infrastructure, Tesla is already making a case for how its cars can be practical.
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