Electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining traction in the auto industry, and China is at the forefront of this revolution. China is positioning itself to be a major force in EV manufacturing, leading the way with ambitious initiatives that could shape the future of transportation. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has pulled off a bold maneuver that appears poised to put him in control of the EV market. And that's not all - there are plenty of other developments and news related to EVs that are worth taking note of. Here, we present a roundup of the latest EV news from Mobile Gnosis.
EV Manufacturing Opportunities To Favor China, At Expense of EU and US.
Many already recognize the significant economic and geopolitical advantages of China's move towards electric vehicles (EVs), writes Andrew Stuttaford in an article posted to the NationalReview.com, Sunday. He further explains that China is ready to join and dominate the global industrial automotive sector that was once controlled by Western nations, including South Korea and Japan. Stuttaford quotes an earlier article he wrote on the matter as to why China is poised to capitalize on EV manufacturing:
EVs are far easier to manufacture than conventional cars. To oversimplify, they are four-wheeled boxes containing a computer and a battery. To oversimplify a little less, it’s estimated (CNBC reports) that they require around 30 percent less manufacturing labor than a conventional car, something largely explained by the fact that they have far fewer moving parts. As a result, much of the advantages of incumbency enjoyed by Western manufacturers will be swept away, creating an opening that Chinese EV manufacturers, benefiting from their domestic experience (EVs accounted for around 19 percent of new car sales in China in 2022, with the overwhelming majority coming from domestic manufacturers) are well placed to exploit. Not only that, but Chinese companies have also established a leading position the whole way down the EV supply chain.
China’s rise as the world’s leading producer of EVs will be difficult for European and American automakers to overcome. With low-cost labor and access to premium materials, Beijing holds a powerful hand in determining who succeeds in the global market for electric vehicles. With China’s advances in EV production, it appears that American and European automakers will be hard-pressed to compete. Stuttaford goes on to illustrate these difficulties by pointing out the reliance Germany's Volkswagen has on the China market.
Musk Puts The Squeeze On EV Competition
Tesla's recent price cuts might lead to a reasonable assumption that Elon Musk is attempting to push U.S. automakers out of business. As competitors would have to sell electric vehicles at massive losses to keep up, it could be seen as a strategic move to increase Tesla's market share, writes Allysia Finley in a WSJ editorial article Sunday. Yet if American automakers fail, they will have only the United Auto Workers and the Biden administration’s electric-vehicle mandate to blame, Finley writes. She goes on to explore why.
Hertz Adds 6,000 EVs To Its Rental Fleet In Orlando
In other news, Hertz announced last week that it intends to include up to 6,000 rental electric vehicles in its current fleet in Orlando. These EVs will be available for business and leisure customers, as well as for rideshare drivers. The rental car giant will also support the installation of up to 50 public fast chargers across the Greater Orlando area in partnership with bp. The joint initiative between Hertz, the City of Orlando, Orange County Public Schools, and Orange Technical College to promote electric vehicles is named "Hertz Electrifies Orlando."
"Having access to electric vehicles provides critical hands-on experience with new technology for students in Orange County," said Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools. "We are truly grateful to Hertz for donating this vehicle and we look forward to a future partnership to increase education and training opportunities."
Sustainably Quotable
“Sustainability is a political choice, not a technical one. It’s not a question of whether we can be sustainable, but whether we choose to be.” – Gary Lawrence
In conclusion, it is clear that the future of electric vehicles is being heavily influenced by decisions made in China and other countries around the world. While American and European automakers are struggling to keep up with the competition, they can take solace in initiatives like Hertz’s “Hertz Electrifies Orlando” program, which is helping to promote electric vehicles and provide access to critical hands-on experience with new technology. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of choice: will we choose to embrace the shift toward sustainable transportation or ignore it? Gary Lawrence’s words ring true; now more than ever, sustainability is a political decision – let’s make the right choice.