The presidential election of 2007 is crucialIt is thus invited to implement his suggestionsThe final agreement must be balanced for allThe governmental duty are therefore numerousThere may even be on the Board of DirectorsA partition of any beautyAll this is irrelevantIn the spirit of recruiters it is a testI have no regrets and was again the referaiThe choice of Lucent is not a coincidenceProcter Gamble has caught up with PfizerToday, the electric car is also silent on that quiet road in the market. In France, a tax credit allows the purchaser of such a vehicle to save 2,000 euros. Sum on which Ademe adds 1,200 euros. A tax incentive that does strike but not the State budget because no vehicle is available on the market... But things will change. The electric car may be one of the stars of the world of the car, both projects accumulate, especially in France with two competitors: the Cleanova designed by the company of Electriques (SVE), a subsidiary of Dassault and Heuliez vehicles, and the BlueCar of the Bolloré group. Same observation abroad. The issues of energy alternatives to oil and global warming are now at the heart of the concerns of the public and policy. Arguments which did fly for the hybrid vehicle, today promoted by several builders from Toyota. Not to mention the sound, which is the primary source of environmental nuisance cited by the French.
Successive failures
Will the current situation to even really start the market while the electric car is as old as the automobile In the early 20th century, the most famous American constructor is called... the Electric Vehicle Company. At first the New York automobile show, in 1900, visitors elect even electric cars as their first choice.
The changeover to alternating current, the progress of the engine and the introduction of the Ford assembly line, contribute to relegate the electric car at the Museum of inventions without a future. Recently, attempts have failed. In California, including, where the electric car had a brief return to grace when the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has forced manufacturers to sell non-polluting vehicles. From 1998 to 2003, 5.600 electric vehicles were put into circulation, mainly in leasing. After their victory against the CARB, manufacturers have recalled their electric vehicles to destroy them, arousing the anger of consumers. There just 1,400 today, saved at gunpoint by their owners who form a very activist community. The France was also launched in an ambitious plan there are ten years with Renault and especially SAP. It remains today a few hundred vehicles on the 8,000 put into circulation.
Will the newcomers have more luck Many experts are convinced. The electric vehicle is cleaner than the hybrid in France where electrical energy is mainly generated from nuclear power. Conversely, outside the France, the environmental record is much less favourable. It is even frankly catastrophic in countries where coal plants provide most of the electricity. As the car running fuel cell-based, it will not come before ten years.
For many known
On the other hand, technology has evolved, insists Patrick Coroller, head of the transportation of the Ademe Technology Department: "lithium-ion technology allows to store 100 watt-hours per kilogram, against 55 for nickel cadmium and 30 for the lead.". Immediate consequence, the performance improves with autonomy which can go up to 200 kilometres, against only 80 10 years ago. For speed, it verges on now the 130 kilometres per hour, while "the older generation did not exceed the 90 careen." "This was insufficient to borrow the expressways," noted Jacques Mollard, in the municipality of La Rochelle, city very involved in projects promoting urban mobility. Also forgotten the "memory" effect which required the user to completely drain the battery before reloading the subject to see his shortened life expectancy.
At the time, the new players flock but adopt different strategies. In Silicon Valley, Tesla Motors and Wrightspeed chose to target the segment of high sports range. Conversely, the Norwegian Think Global will offer limited performance vehicles, but with an original rental system (see box). In Britain, Smart has partnered with Zytek Group to launch a Smart electric. Main interest for users: escape the toll in force in London. France, Bolloré chose to design a new body taking part of the electric motor: BlueCar. Approach opposite in EVS, where with the Cleanova, was intended to move quickly in electrifying existing brand vehicles Renault: a Kangoo utility and a Scenic sedan. EVS yesterday announced a smart evolution for converting hybrid electric vehicle. System Cleanova more to travel large distances through a heat engine of make-up.
Cleanova 30 are now tested by large companies such as post or EDF, motivated by clean vehicles for several reasons: prohibition of downtowns to cars, fuel prices, brand... These large companies, managers of fleets of tens of thousands of vehicles, will be the justices of the peace. Alone, the position manages a fleet of 50,000 vehicles "with 95 could be electric", explains Patrice Poisson, Director of the rolling stock to the position. "Only European positions represent an annual potential of 30,000 to 100,000 vehicles." "With this, the market opens", noted Jacques Saint-Marc, Secretary General of the interdepartmental group mobility and electric vehicle (Give). But the party is not won. The unknown lies on the duration of battery life. Eight years is the constructor. No test cannot today guarantee. Fleet managers also want to be certain to benefit from a market of opportunity to sell their old vehicles. Another hard point: the cost. Knowing that on an electric vehicle "75 of the price is linked to the farm", notes Patrick Coroller. "Our goal is to have a cost of use is the same as today ' hui: This includes the price of the vehicle, but also the consumption, the accident patterns, taxes, maintenance and, of course, the duration of battery life", notes Patrick Widloecher, Director sustainable development to the position.
The France in advance
Major manufacturers are observed closely. SAP, leader of the sector there are a dozen years, was its by its failure. The Americans, who had heavily invested, they abandoned all their research. Japanese manufacturers are very active, but discrete. Renault, silent for now, is working actively on the subject and could take advantage of the world to announce an initiative. For Jacques Saint-Marc, the France, with his experience of the 1990s, has a certain advance: "Some say that it is a failure." It was a learning that allowed us to put in place an effective regulatory system. "Thus the Highway Code was changed, prohibiting parking before taking power one hundred of these catches exist in Paris and allow recharge his vehicle with a payment card. The Building Code now requires the buildings ready. The code of the condominium, it allows any co-owner to require the installation of an outlet in his garage. Finally, the Tax Code allows companies to reduce their electric vehicles on a shorter. Several cities have also made considerable efforts. The image of La Rochelle which has established a rental system, Leaselec, allowing individuals to rent an electric vehicle in the centre.
The France has several laboratories in advanced development of lithium batteries. But, surprisingly, no national research programme is currently oversee these efforts to promote less expensive batteries. A gap as the national agency of research could fill the next year, with a program on the materials used in batteries of the future.
