From our beginnings in the battery industry, in VT we have closely followed the evolution of the electric car.

At 2012we got to know the project "Better Place"which proposed a model of "battery sharingThe idea of "charging" for electric vehicles, allowing users to replace batteries at specific stations. Although the idea seemed to be a perfect solution to charging problems, it required an expensive network of stations and agreements with all vehicle manufacturers, which proved unfeasible. After an investment of more than 400 million the project went bankrupt in 2014.

However, in 2019 we discovered that B&HThe Chinese giant had implemented a similar model in Guangzhou, where electric cabs replace their batteries at stations. Unlike Better Place, B&H dominates the market and is not dependent on agreements with other manufacturers. This model works well in a region with a high population density and short distances, proving that the electric car can be viable, even with ranges of up to 300 km real.

Despite these solutions, the electric car is still not taking off in Europe, especially in Spain. Although high market growth is being predicted, the reality is that the vehicle quota non-diesel and non-gasoline (including electric, hydrogen and gas) continues to be less than 0.4%. The forecasts are not being met, despite publicity, subsidies and political support. 

In our experience, aftermarket sales data in the automotive sector reflect a clear trend: sales of batteries for electric cars are still practically non-existent compared to starter batteries for vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The reality is that the electric car does not have the market impact that the media, politicians and social networks suggest. Why? From our perspective, the main factors are as follows:

1. Limited autonomyAlthough electric cars have a range of up to 300 km in real terms (and 400 km certified in ideal conditions), this only makes them viable for short distances. For daily trips longer than 500 km, range becomes a major issue.

2. High priceElectric vehicles are not competitive in price with equivalent combustion engine models. In addition, the battery represents a significant cost overrun as it ages (as in the case of Better Place, whose vision made some sense).

3. Insufficient recharge infrastructureWhere can a user who does not have his own garage charge? In communal garages, is there enough power to install chargers for all the neighbors?

For these reasons, the electric car has not taken off and, frankly, it does not look like the situation is going to change in the short term.