"November 16, 2009 3:39 PM EST
Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, NRG's David Crane, FedEx's Fred Smith, Top CEOs Come Together to
Endorse Electrification and Release Roadmap
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than a dozen business leaders -- including Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Nissan Motor Company; David W. Crane, President & CEO of NRG Energy; and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President & CEO of FedEx Corporation -- came together today to form the Electrification Coalition. The Coalition is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting policies and actions that will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental, and national security vulnerabilities caused by our nation's dependence on petroleum.
As its first official act, the Coalition today released the Electrification Roadmap, a sweeping report detailing the dangers of oil dependence, explaining the benefits of electrification, describing the challenges facing electric cars, and providing specific policy proposals to overcome those challenges. PRTM, a global management consulting firm, provided market analysis and technical input for the Roadmap, including detailed modeling on vehicle costs.
"It is time for business leaders and policymakers alike to step up," Smith said. "Our unrelenting dependence on oil has threatened our nation for too long. Up to now, electrification seemed like a pipe dream. But we are offering a realistic, practical, achievable plan to build a transportation system that will enhance our national security, propel economic growth, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions."
The Electrification Roadmap presents a bold and specific vision: By 2040, 75 percent of light-duty vehicle miles traveled in the United States should be electric miles. As a result, oil consumption in the light-duty fleet would be reduced by more than 75 percent, and U.S. crude oil imports could effectively be reduced to zero.
"The first electric vehicles will be delivered in 12 months," Ghosn said. "The widespread acceptance of zero emission cars will require more than the efforts automakers can provide on their own. Public and private collaboration will be the key to mainstream acceptance."
Among its many policy recommendations, the Roadmap proposes the creation of electrification 'ecosystems,' geographic areas in which all of the elements of an electrified transportation system are deployed, thus providing a crucial first step toward moving electrification beyond a niche product into a dominant, compelling, and ubiquitous concept.
"It is absolutely crucial that all of the key elements of an electrified transportation system are introduced in a highly coordinated fashion and in a way that is effective, affordable, and appealing to actual American consumers," Crane said. "Introducing all of the separate elements, from cars to infrastructure, simultaneously in select communities across the country will move electrification beyond the early adopters; policymakers will witness the national benefit derived from a new kind of transportation system while consumers will benefit firsthand from a new kind of driving experience."
Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, NRG's David Crane, FedEx's Fred Smith, Top CEOs Come Together to
Endorse Electrification and Release Roadmap
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than a dozen business leaders -- including Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Nissan Motor Company; David W. Crane, President & CEO of NRG Energy; and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President & CEO of FedEx Corporation -- came together today to form the Electrification Coalition. The Coalition is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting policies and actions that will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental, and national security vulnerabilities caused by our nation's dependence on petroleum.
As its first official act, the Coalition today released the Electrification Roadmap, a sweeping report detailing the dangers of oil dependence, explaining the benefits of electrification, describing the challenges facing electric cars, and providing specific policy proposals to overcome those challenges. PRTM, a global management consulting firm, provided market analysis and technical input for the Roadmap, including detailed modeling on vehicle costs.
"It is time for business leaders and policymakers alike to step up," Smith said. "Our unrelenting dependence on oil has threatened our nation for too long. Up to now, electrification seemed like a pipe dream. But we are offering a realistic, practical, achievable plan to build a transportation system that will enhance our national security, propel economic growth, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions."
The Electrification Roadmap presents a bold and specific vision: By 2040, 75 percent of light-duty vehicle miles traveled in the United States should be electric miles. As a result, oil consumption in the light-duty fleet would be reduced by more than 75 percent, and U.S. crude oil imports could effectively be reduced to zero.
"The first electric vehicles will be delivered in 12 months," Ghosn said. "The widespread acceptance of zero emission cars will require more than the efforts automakers can provide on their own. Public and private collaboration will be the key to mainstream acceptance."
Among its many policy recommendations, the Roadmap proposes the creation of electrification 'ecosystems,' geographic areas in which all of the elements of an electrified transportation system are deployed, thus providing a crucial first step toward moving electrification beyond a niche product into a dominant, compelling, and ubiquitous concept.
"It is absolutely crucial that all of the key elements of an electrified transportation system are introduced in a highly coordinated fashion and in a way that is effective, affordable, and appealing to actual American consumers," Crane said. "Introducing all of the separate elements, from cars to infrastructure, simultaneously in select communities across the country will move electrification beyond the early adopters; policymakers will witness the national benefit derived from a new kind of transportation system while consumers will benefit firsthand from a new kind of driving experience."
This tax breaks are crucial for the initial wave of adaptation of Electric Cars in commercial fleets, where the range is known and it will not be an issue. This field will be the testing ground for this new technology. FedEx is an active member of Electrification Coalition among companies like Nissan, NRG Energy, Inc., Coda Automotive, Johnson Controls Power and others.
By John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent
Published: December 9 2009 15:22 Last updated: December 9 2009 15:22
Britain’s car industry welcomed the UK government’s decision to extend the tax breaks for electric vehicles, already promised for private consumers, to commercial and fleet buyers.
Alistair Darling said in his pre-Budget report that electric vehicles would be exempted from company car tax – and electric vans from a van benefit charge – for five years. In a further boost to plug-in vans, businsses buying them will be able to write off their full cost against their corporation tax in the first year.
Government earlier this year announced tax breaks of £2,000 to £5,000 from 2011 for private buyers of electric cars, which carmakers and industry analysts say will need generous government subsidies in the first years after their launch to defray their higher costs.
However, business and other fleet buyers are expected to be among electric vehicles’ main first adopters because of the pressures they face to cut emissions, and because company fleets can organise recharging arrangements for the cars more easily than private customers.
The government’s move to extend tax breaks to company cars and electric vans had been rumoured in the industry, which welcomed it on Wednesday.
Renault, which plans to launch two electric cars and an electric version of its Kangoo van in 2011, said it was “delighted” with the decision.
“This announcement will go towards assisting the infrastructure we need to make electric vehicles a viable solution in the UK,” said Jeremy Townsend, a UK spokesman for the French carmaker.
“This will make business buyers much more interested in electric cars and vans,” said Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association’s chief executive, John Lewis, said: “We are really pleased that the chancellor has listened to our call to modernise the business tax regime and give a clear, long-term incentive for companies willing to be early adopters of electric cars and vans.”
Mr Darling’s pre-Budget report also earmarked another £30m ($48.64m) for a government-supported ultra low-carbon vehicle competition.
Gordon Brown’s government is supporting electric vehicles heavily in spite of the continuing doubts in the industry about how many consumers and businesses will adopt them because of their higher cost, limited driving ranges, and the logistical challenges posed by the need to recharge them.
UK pre-Budget report 2009
FT In depth: News and analysis on this year’s pre-Budget report
The government earlier this year earmarked funds for recharging infrastructure, and held talks with Nissan about bringing European production of a planned electric car to its plant in Sunderland, north-east England, and with General Motors about producing its Opel/ Vauxhall Ampera at Ellesmere Port, Merseyside.
Most carmakers are predicting modest initial sales of electric vehicles, and say they will have little short-term impact on the industry as it weathers a deep downturn in sales.
Thanks to government scrapping incentives car sales rose by nearly 58 per cent year on year in November. However, the industry is bracing itself for another difficult year in 2010 with the return of VAT to 17.5 per cent and the end of the government’s £400m scrappage scheme.
The Retail Motor Industry federation on Wednesday said it was disappointed that government had announced no extension of the scheme."
FT
By John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent
Published: December 9 2009 15:22 Last updated: December 9 2009 15:22
Britain’s car industry welcomed the UK government’s decision to extend the tax breaks for electric vehicles, already promised for private consumers, to commercial and fleet buyers.
Alistair Darling said in his pre-Budget report that electric vehicles would be exempted from company car tax – and electric vans from a van benefit charge – for five years. In a further boost to plug-in vans, businsses buying them will be able to write off their full cost against their corporation tax in the first year.
Government earlier this year announced tax breaks of £2,000 to £5,000 from 2011 for private buyers of electric cars, which carmakers and industry analysts say will need generous government subsidies in the first years after their launch to defray their higher costs.
However, business and other fleet buyers are expected to be among electric vehicles’ main first adopters because of the pressures they face to cut emissions, and because company fleets can organise recharging arrangements for the cars more easily than private customers.
The government’s move to extend tax breaks to company cars and electric vans had been rumoured in the industry, which welcomed it on Wednesday.
Renault, which plans to launch two electric cars and an electric version of its Kangoo van in 2011, said it was “delighted” with the decision.
“This announcement will go towards assisting the infrastructure we need to make electric vehicles a viable solution in the UK,” said Jeremy Townsend, a UK spokesman for the French carmaker.
“This will make business buyers much more interested in electric cars and vans,” said Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association’s chief executive, John Lewis, said: “We are really pleased that the chancellor has listened to our call to modernise the business tax regime and give a clear, long-term incentive for companies willing to be early adopters of electric cars and vans.”
Mr Darling’s pre-Budget report also earmarked another £30m ($48.64m) for a government-supported ultra low-carbon vehicle competition.
Gordon Brown’s government is supporting electric vehicles heavily in spite of the continuing doubts in the industry about how many consumers and businesses will adopt them because of their higher cost, limited driving ranges, and the logistical challenges posed by the need to recharge them.
UK pre-Budget report 2009
FT In depth: News and analysis on this year’s pre-Budget report
The government earlier this year earmarked funds for recharging infrastructure, and held talks with Nissan about bringing European production of a planned electric car to its plant in Sunderland, north-east England, and with General Motors about producing its Opel/ Vauxhall Ampera at Ellesmere Port, Merseyside.
Most carmakers are predicting modest initial sales of electric vehicles, and say they will have little short-term impact on the industry as it weathers a deep downturn in sales.
Thanks to government scrapping incentives car sales rose by nearly 58 per cent year on year in November. However, the industry is bracing itself for another difficult year in 2010 with the return of VAT to 17.5 per cent and the end of the government’s £400m scrappage scheme.
The Retail Motor Industry federation on Wednesday said it was disappointed that government had announced no extension of the scheme."
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