PHEV NEARS START LINE

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles; The Global Outlook for PHEVs: Business Issues,
Technology Issues, Key Players, and Market Forecasts
3Q 2009 (Pike Research)

"The electrification of the automobile has been slowly progressing over the last 10 years, ever since the arguably false start in the late 1990s. While hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been proliferating recently, a new breed is on the verge of launching: the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Promising dramatically improved fuel economy, PHEVs have come about largely from the convergence of two technologies: HEVs and lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries."

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"A mix of consumer demand and government incentives is fueling the development of PHEVs. Governments are encouraging improved fuel economy either implicitly by regulating it, as in the United States, or by charging high fuel taxes or limits on vehicle emissions, as in Europe…[A]utomakers are counting on consumers who have demonstrated strong interest in HEVs to show similar willingness to purchase PHEVs…[P]rograms will initially focus on the small car segment (80% of sales in 2015), followed closely by the small SUV segment (10% of sales by 2015). By 2015…the U.S. will be the largest market for HEVs and PHEVs, selling approximately 640,000 vehicles in these two categories combined. China will be the second-largest market with more than 560,000 hybrid vehicles sold that same year. By that time…there will be a total of 1.7 million PHEVs on the world’s roadways."

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"This Pike Research report analyzes the emerging PHEV market with a focus on business issues and demand drivers, technology issues such as the use of advanced batteries and the need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the effects of regulatory standards and government incentives around the world, and an in-depth assessment of major OEMs’ PHEV programs. Detailed market data and forecasts include PHEV sales and registrations for world markets, sales figures for the total light vehicle and HEV markets to provide context for these numbers, and projected PHEV market shares…"