Price Waterhouse Coopers AutoFacts predicts PHEVs and Hybrid cars will reach 6.3% of market by 2020

[Bill USA]

.[font size="3"].. survey indicated most consumers willing to pay a premium for the technology of less than $5,000.[/font]


http://press.pwc.com/GLOBAL/News-releases/long-term-cost-savings-and-infrastructure-essential-to-electric-vehicle-growth/s/b8346aea-985d-4798-9ffd-cd3dc037e463

Charging stations and battery swap locations are the most crucial to developing a sustainable electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, according to more than 40 percent of respondents to PwC's Electric Vehicle Survey 2012. Global hybrid and EV market share is forecast to reach 6.3 percent by 2020, according to PwC's Autofacts. As municipalities continue to work with the private sector to meet future demands and develop Smart Cities, finding the ideal ratio between integrated public charging stations and the number of EVs on the road is a prevailing challenge when investing in existing and future infrastructure.

"Continued investment to improve upon the electric vehicle value chain, along with the pace of advancement in competing alternative fuel solutions will ultimately determine the level of success EVs are able to achieve," said Brandon Mason, senior analyst, PwC's Autofacts. "While we don't expect one to be parked in every driveway anytime soon, there is no doubt that EVs are here to stay."

Approximately 25 percent of survey respondents said one public station for every 20 EVs is an ideal ratio, while 20 percent indicated one station for every five vehicles is ideal. Roughly 80 percent of respondents also indicated that 30 minutes or less charge time is considered fast charging for EVs.

Focusing on price, nearly 46 percent of respondents felt that long-term total cost of ownership savings is the most likely reason consumers would be willing to pay an upfront premium for an EV. Automakers continue to evaluate the price premium consumers are willing to pay for an EV. Survey respondents indicated that consumers willing to pay a premium price would need to remain under $5,000 (PHEVs 57.9 percent, PEVs 47.7 percent).

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While rising gas prices increases the appeal of hybrids and PHEVs (Pure Electric Vehicles).. they also negatively impact economic growth and job creation and as a result tend to elevate unemployment rates which works against the public embracing the higher cost electrics and hybrids.