The Future of Autos: Germany’s Electric Automakers Are Taking?Shape

In Germany, the automakers are trying hard to come up with a solution to environmental pollution. And one of the steps they have taken is the efforts to eliminate the aging motor vehicles on roads. However, despite the struggles, vehicles still remain the leading culprits of environmental pollution in German cities due to the emission of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).

According to the UBA-Federal Environment Agency’s report in 2018, air pollution in nearly 60 German cities has remained too high. This was after the European Commission (EU) found out that Germany’s car giants Daimler, BMW, and VW illegally colluded on emissions technology.

Luckily, due to the strict emission rules, massive competition within the automakers, as well as pressure to ensure everyone stays mobile, we can now see the dawn.

See, no more exhaust pipes, no more fuel tanks, no transmissions nor spark plugs, radiators are just things of the past. What these automobile giants do have, especially the Volkswagen, are electric motors using energy stored in Electric Vehicle Batteries (EVBs).

However, as the beginnings are always tough, so was the case of the German car manufacturers. Luckily, they’ve taken shape; and I think they started with the “End” in their minds as always advised.

The Past Unsuccessful Beginning

While the automakers like Volkswagen tried hard to get into the digital era of e-Tron, their track records, unfortunately, grew poorer and poorer. As such, most of the models in various car makers were canceled due to trails of unhappy customers.

Further details revealed that demand for electric vehicles was always hampered by the fears of lack of charging infrastructure, high sticker prices as well as driving range of the cars. Moreover, the low-wage earners were utterly forgotten in the electromobility age when low-income groups would pick up old cars for just a few hundred Euros. Hence, adding more risks of being left out.

Also, the lack of enough cheap electric cars was another issue of concern due to the high resale value of the vehicles. It was at this point that Volkswagen decided to completely “kill” the electric cars and concentrate on fuel-efficient engines.

Until recently, all they invested in was diesel engines, which were fuel-efficient and affordable. And as a result, VW sold huge volumes of cars until the Government launched a campaign to put more electric vehicles on the road.

After the campaign’s kick-off, German automakers being the most targeted culprits on CO2 emissions embraced the idea with enthusiasm.

The Government’s Campaign

Making battery research a priority, the German Government has launched a campaign to put 1 million vehicles on the road by 2022. The Government, however, is trying to position the country as a market leader in sales of electric cars.

Although the bonus scheme was introduced in 2016 to run for three years, the transport minister Andreas Scheuer, according to Die Welt report, has recently called for an increase in duration and extension of bonus payments.

Earlier, the program had $705 million set aside in an economic stimulus package with buyers getting a rebate of 4000 Euros and 3000 Euros on fully electric and hybrid vehicles, respectively.

Moreover, Germany’s economy minister Peter Altmaier said the bonus had proven its worth, although the rate of electric car purchase has been lower than expected. He further called on automakers to improve their electric cars to trigger a higher demand.

While the Government is working on this precious campaign deal, however, the hard task has been left for the manufacturers to develop better batteries and electric drive systems. Luckily, the race has already begun as one of the giants, Daimler, has already looked for partnership.

By sharing costs and experience with the California based electric car maker Tesla Motors, the company believes they’ll produce destined cars for the consumer market.

The Electric Car Race?Kick-Off

With the Government’s campaign to fund the electric car research, German automakers wouldn’t cease to dive into this mouth-watering deal. Having faced penalties from the aggressive emissions regulators, they’ve been striving to turn the page on emissions scandal, and the opportunity has finally come.

As that’s the case, the companies have decided not to turn back, and the race has already begun:

1. Volkswagen

After more than 80 years of internal combustion engines propelled cars, VW, one of the reputed German automaker, has produced its first SUV, Audi brand. Luckily, with this e-Tron machine, you can now enjoy a whole 400km (250miles) drive on a single battery cycle. The vehicle, however, can be recharged in as little time as half an hour. Salute to the VW group!

With this great achievement, VW revealed that the ride is nearly silent, whereas the styling is convenient, and the interior is luxurious.

However, the VW group is left with two challenges on their SUV; to produce a model with features that people will like. And secondly, one that will be embraced by strict emissions regulators as they carry on to tackle environmental crisis. The good news will be if VW succeeds, then its rivals will no longer be at peace.

2. BMW

Just as its rivals, BMW hasn’t been left behind in the race. Even before the Government’s campaign, BMW has been running its race in research for electric cars for over 40 years.

Each electric car this automaker manufactured since its race kicked off back in 1972 can be looked at as a climbing ladder towards the successful electric vehicles it sells today.

Despite the BMW i3 model that was put into production back in 2013, BMW has manufactured another model, BMW i8 electric sports car. However, the group claims that the car can do 0 to 60 miles in 4.2 seconds, and you can enjoy a ride of 330 miles when both gas and electric motors are combined.

Unfortunately, when the car was tested on full-electric mode, it ranged to only 15 miles despite BMW’s efforts. But according to the history of 40 years of research and testing, the group believes it’s one of the unique cars it has manufactured, promising to deliver compelling results in the future after the Government offered to support.

3. Daimler

Daimler isn’t left behind on the electromobility race. The company, however, revealed it’s on the road to emission-free driving. As such, the group is investing more than 10 billion Euros in bringing more than ten different electric vehicles in the market by 2022.

Today, the fourth generation of electric pioneer Mercedes-Benz has entered the world of electromobility with a more appealing look and features than ever after the debut of the first generation in 2007. This smart Fortwo electric drive made Daimler the first series electric vehicle manufacturers.

However, the 4th generation that debuted in 2017 summer with battery-electric drive has combined electricity consumption of 13.0 kWh/100 km. And this achievement has created even more love for cars.

As from 2020, smart is planning to sell its models with battery-electric drive in Europe and the USA while still on the mission to produce more electric cars in partnership with Tesla.

Survival Tactics

As far as tackling climate changes is concerned, the race isn’t that easy for the companies to shift from fuel-powered engines to electric motors. As that is the case, factors such as cost-cutting and meeting the customer’s taste are highly prioritized.

To catch up with the competitors in this tough electromobility era, however, Germany’s car manufacturers have come up with the “survival tactics”.

VW has revealed it’s currently using the money from sales of fuel-powered cars to produce its batteries, which are the most costly components of an electric vehicle. Further, the group is working hard to invest in charging networks.

When manufacturing the past electric vehicle generations, Stefan Niemand said they had gained enough experience in the new technology. Being a successful Audi electric car maker and the brand’s head of electrification, he said they have learned a lot about the e-Tron battery system. More so, the cooling system, the crash system, and all other stuff.

He further revealed that with the experience they’ve gained over the past years, they already have the knowledge about cost-cutting, system optimization, as well as where they can gain the range.

Moreover, the urgent need for the new technology, which is a bit expensive, has made several automakers get into a partnership to share the costs. BMW and Daimler, for example, have already announced their collaboration focused on autonomous driving. Also, they’re investing 1 billion dollars in developing ride-sharing and charging systems for their electric cars.

Indeed, the race has begun!