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You are browsing the archive for December 2012 – EV News Report.

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by Jack Collins

2012 Year of Shale Oil & Gas, 2013 Year of EVs

December 31, 2012 in Economics, EIA, EV News, Oil

2012 Year of Shale Oil & Gas, 2013 Year of EVs EV News Report photo San Francisco

2012 Year of Shale Oil & Gas, 2013 Year of EVs
EV News Report photo
San Francisco

WTI oil closed at $91.82 a barrel, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded to close the year at 13,104.  Gasoline prices have risen slightly again to $3.30 a gallon, according to the EIA.  Natural gas prices closed down 3.4% to $3.35/MMBtu on forecasts for mild winter weather.

The most significant change in the energy world for 2012 was shale oil and gas production in the United States.  The energy stability of the United States has greatly improved.  As US shale oil production increased, gasoline consumption remained relatively flat.  Naionwide, $4 a gallon has acted as a consumption barrier.  Oil imports dropped to 40% of total oil consumption, and are expected to continue to fall in 2013 to 37% (EIA).  Abundant and cheap US natural gas has helped power the United States at a significant competitive price advantage to Europe and Asia.

The electric vehicle will likely be the big hit for 2013.  The electric vehicle is the building block to a greentech revolution in the United States.  Electric vehicles naturally spur more green technology advancements, and those technological advancements accelerate EV sales.  This is a list of seven high-quality EVs with excellent sales potential in 2013: Chevy Volt, Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius plug-in, Ford C-Max energi, Ford Fusion energi, and Smart Electric.

EV News Report latest news in Electric Vehicles Category.

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Read updates on the Peak Oil crisis.

For more information, please visit Energy Information Administration.

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Avatar of Jack Collins

by Jack Collins

China Manufacturing Strength, SAIC / GM China Electrification

December 31, 2012 in China, Economics, Electric Vehicles, EV News, GM

China had a higher manufacturing reading than an earlier estimate. 

The HSBC Purchasing Managers Index had a final reading of 51.5 for December, which is further evidence of strength in the Chinese economy.  The preliminary reading was 50.9.  The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index rose to the highest level since June on the news, finishing a red hot advance for December.

With stocks running hot in China, many Chinese consumers are going to feel richer and more apt to spend.  SAIC Motor reached another new high on the Shanghai Exchange.  SAIC released the 100% electric Roewe E50 on November 5th to the Chinese market.  There is hope that electric vehicle sales will increase in Shanghai with the new rebate program.

Raymond Bierzynski, SAIC-GM-Wuling executive vice president and former General Motors China executive director of Electrification Strategy Photo courtesy of GM China Manufacturing Strength, SAIC / GM China Electrification

Raymond Bierzynski, SAIC-GM-Wuling executive vice president and former General Motors China executive director of Electrification Strategy
Photo courtesy of GM
China Manufacturing Strength, SAIC / GM China Electrification

GM will be releasing the Sail SPRINGO EV in Shanghai in 2013.  This 100% electric vehicle is being joint developed with SAIC.  GM is planning to add remote technology to the SPRINGO.  The company stated in a recent release: “A Shanghai OnStar mobile app for the Sail SPRINGO EV will allow drivers to monitor the battery’s charge and remaining available EV range from their smart phones, as well as set the vehicle’s charging schedule remotely.”

EV News Report latest news in China Category.

EV News Report latest news in Electric Vehicles Category.

For more information, visit SAIC Motor.

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Avatar of Jack Collins

by Jack Collins

Ford Sees Strong Hybrid / EV Sales, Dingell (D) Harsh Words for Congress

December 30, 2012 in C-Max energi, EV News, Ford, Politics

2013 Ford C-Max Energi Image courtesy of Ford Ford Sees Strong Hybrid / EV Sales, Dingell (D) Harsh Words for Congress

2013 Ford C-Max Energi
Image courtesy of Ford
Ford Sees Strong Hybrid / EV Sales, Dingell (D) Harsh Words for Congress

Ford expects over 19,000 hybrid / electric vehicle sales in the fourth quarter. 

The breakdown in the numbers by product will be released in early January.  These are great numbers for Ford, and they are great numbers for America.  Consumers are increasingly adopting fuel efficient technologies.  It will be interesting to see how many of the units sold were plug-ins.  It looks increasingly likely that 2013 will be the breakout year for electric vehicles.  The C-Max Energi and the Fusion Energi may give Ford the 2013 EV crown.

The Ford Focus Electric is more the wild card.  This 100% electric vehicle has had limited success to date.  This may soon change with more consumers connecting Ford with electrified vehicles.  Ford had stated recently that 65% of C-Max sales came from new customers to Ford.  Obviously, Ford has done well with its marketing message.

2012 Ford Focus Electric Image courtesy of Ford Ford Sees Strong Hybrid / EV Sales, Dingell (D) Harsh Words for Congress

2012 Ford Focus Electric
Image courtesy of Ford
Ford Sees Strong Hybrid / EV Sales, Dingell (D) Harsh Words for Congress

Congress will continue to try to complete a fiscal cliff deal tomorrow.  US futures markets are pointing slightly up for Monday trade, which is an encouraging sign.  However, the world is unimpressed.

The South China Morning Post printed this quote from John Dingell (D): “We are concluding one of the most unsuccessful Congresses in history, noteworthy not only for its failure to accomplish anything of importance, but also for the poisonous climate of the institution.” 

John Dingell (D) has been a House member since 1955, representing many auto interests from the state of Michigan.

EV News Report latest news in Electric Vehicles Category.

For more information, visit Ford.

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Avatar of Jack Collins

by Jack Collins

Fiscal Cliff Deadline Nears, Shanghai Aims to Increase EV Sales

December 30, 2012 in BYD, China, EV News, Politics

Fiscal cliff negotiations are continuing today.  There is still hope for a last minute deal that would assuage both parties.  At this point, it all seems to come down to saving face.

Currency markets and energy markets have had a muted response to fiscal cliff headlines.  Taking this into consideration, I doubt world financial markets are going to be terribly disturbed over the medium-term if Washington fails to reach a deal.  If anything, these muted responses are more signs of a power shift to Asia.  China has been adding steady demand, absorbing energy resources and other primary commodities that have had slackened demand in developed markets.

BYD E6 all electric vehicle Image courtesy of BYD Fiscal Cliff Deadline Nears, Shanghai Aims to Increase EV Sales

BYD E6 all electric vehicle Image courtesy of BYD
Fiscal Cliff Deadline Nears, Shanghai Aims to Increase EV Sales

Shanghai has increased subsidies for electric vehicles, and the subsidies will now go directly to the auto manufacturer. 

The auto manufacturers will reduce the price of the electric vehicles by the amount of the subsidy.  ShanghaiDaily.com reported: “To encourage individuals to buy new-energy cars before the end of next year, the municipal government will pay a subsidy of 40,000 yuan (US$6,415) for electric vehicles and 30,000 yuan for plug-in hybrids.  Each type of vehicle will also get a free license plate.  It is not yet clear whether there will be a quota for such car plates or how big it could be.”  This is great news for the struggling Chinese electric vehicle market.  Sales should significantly improve in shanghai with these changes.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have struggled to date due to lack of sales.  Without sales, it has been difficult to spark the EV industry.  However, the language out of the Chinese government has been consistent that electric vehicles are a primary development focus.  There will likely be greater clarification in the near-term as more news is released on the Chinese urbanization plan.

EV News Report latest news in Electric Vehicles Category.

EV News Report latest news in BYD Category.

For more information, visit BYD.

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Avatar of Jack Collins

by Jack Collins

Cushing Oil Storage Glut, LEAF Gets New Battery Warranty

December 29, 2012 in Economics, EV News, LEAF, Nissan, Oil

The oil storage hub at Cushing Oklahoma hit a record of 49.2 million barrels. 

The EIA released this data on Friday, which was delayed due to the holiday week.  This glut of oil stored at Cushing is due to the US shale oil boom.  Goldman Sachs recently released a note that the Seaway pipeline will increase the volume of oil from Cushing to Gulf Coast refineries.

The Gulf Coast has approximately 50% of the US oil refining capacity.  Obviously, the increased volumes of light crude oil coming from Cushing will replace light crude imports into the US Gulf Coast.  This is great news for the US economy.  In the grand scheme of things, the US Dollar is far more sensitive to oil import data than to US budget concerns.  Entitlement spending can be drastically cut, and the US economy would adjust, but the US economy cannot easily adjust to any oil import problem.

To get off oil imports altogether, the US is moving in the direction of electric vehicles.  Sales of EVs are very sensitive to gasoline prices.  Many would argue that it would be better to leave the shale oil in the ground to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.  This is a valid argument.  However, the US Dollar is shaky due to the ugly US balance sheet, and electric vehicle pricing, production, and charging capacity need more time to improve.

Cushing Oil Storage Glut, LEAF Gets New Battery Warranty Photo courtesy of Nissan

Cushing Oil Storage Glut, LEAF Gets New Battery Warranty
Photo courtesy of Nissan

Nissan announced a new battery warranty for the LEAF, ensuring a high percentage of charging capacity for five years or 60,000 miles.  The new warranty also applies to all existing LEAFs on the road.  A Nissan executive, Andy Palmer, made the announcement Thursday.

EV News Report latest news in Oil Category.

EV News Report latest news in LEAF Category.

For more, visit Nissan.

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