In this week’s Energy Trends we look at some of the latest developments surrounding electric cars and their proliferation (or lack of it).
What’s holding them back?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Apologizes to Analysts
With Elon Musk learning to apologize, and play the more cautious CEO game, Tesla shares went up 10% hours after Tesla released a second quarter earnings report, last week.
Is Tesla finally getting its production hell behind them and following through on its number of unit promises?

“We like the more muted tone of the company’s outlook, with the absence of unnecessary new stretch goals. One example is TSLA’s reiterating a Model 3 production rate goal of 6,000 units per week by late August, with a more vague time frame to reach production of 10,000 units per week, despite our expectation for a more accelerated ramp. Perhaps it reflects a more cautious Elon Musk.” – Efraim Levy, CFRA

Read more at CNBC
 
China Electric Car Sales Up 77% In June
We may feel more pessimistic when it comes to the market penetration of electric cars in North America.
This is because of numerous factors: affordability, convenience, lack of incentives, mileage range, and lack of political will to radically change the system.
Now it’s being reported that EV sales numbers in China equal less than a 100% increase for the first time in months due to the cancellation of subsidies for cars with less than 150km range.
In terms of the overall car market, EVs account for just over 3% with the hope that they can reach 7% later in the year.
What’s fascinating about the Chinese EV market, is how little market share Tesla (3%), BMW (2%) and non-Chinese manufacturers have (in total only around 7%).
See the list below. Do you know your BAIC from your SAIC?

Read more at CleanTechnica
 
BAIC EX-Series
Presenting China’s best selling EV – The BAIC EX-Series:
https://youtu.be/0ezjuT6578Y

• Compact Electric Crossover
• 415 KM range
• $28,500 before subsidies

 
The 5 Most Exciting New Electric Cars You Can Buy in the Next 2 Years
Leaving the BAIC well behind, let’s look at which cars are getting EV enthusiasts juices flowing in this list of exciting cars expected on the road in the next 2 years:

1. Tesla Roadster (luxury sports car)
2. Porsche Taycan (luxury sports car)
3. Volvo XC40 (SUV)
4. Mercedes-Benz EQ-C (luxury SUV)
5. Volkswagon I.D. Concept

Without wanting to get all Top Gear, the battle for the premium EV sports cars is truly hotting up.
The Porsche may have the heritage and looks but with a top speed of 250 mph and 1000 KM range, the 2020 Tesla Roadster will take some beating.

Read more at Electrek

Here’s What Charging Your Electric Car Will Look Like in 2030

Finally, we bring something that might be a bit more useful to most of us rather than dreaming of high performance sports cars.
With EVs expected to make up 11 per cent of the new car market by 2030, there are now reports that this will be combined with up to 40 million charging stations worldwide.
Some real progress on infrastructure development to support the burgeoning EV market?
New monetization models are being tested out by the likes of Volta Charging who offer free charging while displaying ads.

The future is electric cars — and cheap charging.

Read more about the future charging possibilities of EV at Think Progress

Related Articles from Nikolas Badminton:

10 Amazing Electric Vehicle Stories

Flying Cars Everywhere!

The Future of Fuel and Transportation in 2030 and 2050