Sir Richard Branson - I bet you they're done for!

“ In 20 years there will be no cars being built with diesel or petrol internal combustion engines anywhere in the world!”

Sir Richard Branson - July 2015

Never one to either mince his words or fail to follow through Mr Branson is now a man on a mission. He's made a wager and was adamant that 'Sunday Times' reporter Emma Smith took note of it last month - literally! 

As Emma went on to write (for the original article click here)

His prediction is all the more surprising because this is a man who has been deeply involved in — and has in some cases made a mint from — businesses based on fossil fuels: his airline Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Trains and Virgin Cars, his short-lived foray into online car sales, for example, plus a record-breaking crossing of the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle, not to mention the most energy-intensive venture of them all, Virgin Galactic, his plan to introduce paying passengers to space travel.

The Virgin Cars experience as well as the Channel Crossing by car were both things I was involved in - so I've witnessed at close quarters his legendary focus and determination to succeed.  

So why might Mr B be so convinced that we are on an inexorable path from 'ICE' to 'NICE'?

Be assured, it is not just because he wishes it so...

Much of the motivation to see it happen will without doubt be this:-

...Daughter Holly, and Son Sam - together with 3 young grand-children. 

In company with the rest of us, if he fails to leave a legacy of a sustainable Planet, with air that is safe to breathe for everyone - what point will there be in having anything else to pass on? Indeed, we are all equal in that bequest.

Walking amongst the Formula E Teams yesterday at Donington I was struck by how positive everyone was for both the race series and the greater ambition. A formidable group of highly motivated and intelligent people are all in hot pursuit of better powertrains - specifically the e-motor, inverter, gearbox and  cooling system, as well as, and most crucially of all of course, better batteries. 

I unsuccessfully ;-) tried to find out some specifics on what changes had been made from Naomi Panter - PR & Communications Manager at Mahindra Racing, as I made my way around a few of the teams... Naomi - together with top photographer Shivy - did a tremendous job for Current E during Season 1.

Pictures 1 & 3: Shivraj Gohil for Current E 

Of course, Motorsport has always driven automotive innovation - but if you top that up with progress in aerospace and space exploration  - as both Virgin and Tesla are well placed to do for example - some say anything is possible. 

Without doubt to my mind, Mr Branson's bold prediction is borne out of wise counsel.

Counsel with his colleagues in Virgin Racing, Virgin Galactic, and more recently perhaps, Citro?n. (if you didn't already know the Formula E Race Team is now DS Virgin Racing)

So 20 years hence - 2035 - sounds a long way off perhaps - but in automotive product cycle terms - it is not. For many EV zealots it might seem like forever, but I'm attracted to the fact that it is a credible time-line to shoot for. Sooner would of course be better! 

With Tesla - the 'poster boy' of the EV ambition - aiming to produce half a million cars in 2020 - we have a rich recipe maturing within the industry to mix it all up. New entrants waiting in the wings such as Apple will no doubt add to the flavour.

Who knows - before too long we might see a few Cupertino based cars on the Formula E grid!     

Feel free to share this - in fact I'd be delighted if you choose to do so! Thanks

Roger - www.electricvehiclesoutlook.com 

? Electric Vehicles Outlook Ltd 2015