Electric Way Forward

Only recently I picked up the latest issue of Forbes India magazine and with the cover page mentioning ‘The Biggest Questions of 2012’ I knew it would be worth a flip.

To me, the most eye catching article or answer to the future was an interview with Renault-Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn. My friend from the magazine, Ashish Mishra was in correspondence for the article.

Mr. Carlos Ghosn

As per my observation Asian economies are growing. This is backed by flowering Asian demand and a capability to fulfil these demands. The direction and nature of these demands must be wise and should act as a winner for everyone. The electric car perspective –

• By 2020 there would be 100 million cars produced a year
• In 2010, less than 20,000 were electric cars out of the 75 million fresh purchases
• In 2012 Renault-Nissan would introduce four new electric cars
• Same year over 20,000 Nissan LEAF would be produced
• By 2015 Renault-Nissan would have sold 1.5 million electric vehicles

The big question – how long before mass production of electric vehicles?

The answer lies in emerging economies says Mr. Ghosn. There would have to be creation in demand for renewable sources of energy. This is one of the reasons why governments are encouraging citizens to buy cars that can run on multiple fuel sources. This is best suited for electric cars, as today; they can run on nuclear, solar, wind and even geothermal energy.