Cheap electric cars will be here sooner than you think

Electric cars are still too expensive for many. However, in the near future the situation may change. A new study has shown that the price of batteries for electric vehicles are falling much faster than expected. The real cost of automotive lithium-ion battery manufacturers is kept in strict confidence. Different estimates of cost are not given to understand what should be the price to electric cars with a large reserve available for most buyers. The analysis of more than 80 expert estimates made in the period between 2007 and 2014, showed that the cost of batteries for electric vehicles is much lower than expected by many analysts.

The authors of the study concluded that the battery used in their electric vehicles are the leading manufacturers like Tesla and Nissan, in 2014, was worth only $ 300 per kWh of energy, which is less than the most optimistic forecast for 2015 and the average forecast for 2020. The data obtained allowed to assume that by 2018 the price will be reduced to $ 230.

It is reported that electric cars will massively attract buyers at the price of a battery 125-300 dollars per kilowatt-hour. If the batteries are from a quarter to half the cost of electric vehicles, a significant price decrease of batteries will reduce the cost of electric vehicles. As an alternative solution, manufacturers can keep prices at the same level, but to increase the cruising range of electric cars.





Distance drive on one charge is a crucial factor for many buyers, because the operation of the electric vehicle is much cheaper for full charging of the electric vehicle with a power reserve of 300 miles (482 kilometers) costs less than $ 10. Given the disparity in gasoline prices and electricity, the study's authors, scientists from the Stockholm environment Institute, believes that lower prices of automotive batteries up to $ 150 per kWh will lead to fundamental changes in the market.

The analysis showed that the price of batteries, which leading manufacturers are equipping their electric vehicles, falling by about 8 percent per year. The economies of scale that will be used in companies such as Nissan and Tesla will allow us to increase production volumes, which will contribute to continued price declines in the coming years. Batteries are likely to fall in price with the speed at which at the time was dropping the price of Nickel-metal hydride battery used in hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, the researchers say.

The material for the analysis was the public statements of producers, experts, and various scientific articles. The work itself was published in the journal Nature.

Nevertheless, such calculations should be treated with caution. Forecasts of energy prices are often incorrect. But the development of electric cars is moving rapidly forward. If you believe Elon musk, this year electric cars of Tesla can do without a driver. published

Source: hi-news.ru