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Investing In Electric Cars

Forbes -- Is the market underplaying the electric car or are investors being suitably wary of a new technology that holds promise, but not necessarily profits? Old-fashioned gas-powered cars are one of academia's favorite case studies on the unprofitable nature of disruptive technologies.

Add to that lesson learned the dot-com bust and the most recent financial crisis and perhaps financial markets should only be lukewarm on battery-powered vehicles. Yet Rod Lache of Deutsche Bank sees reason to think electric cars will spread faster than the public gives them credit for.

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Submitted Mar 09, 2010 By: Mudsprings

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YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,599 Points:833,570 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:19:24 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse I will wait until a really new battery comes up.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:55:23 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse Key word is "investing".
TRAIN RIDER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:4,275 Points:1,797,070 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:52:45 PM Ignore TRAIN RIDER Report Abuse THE TECHNOLOGY FOR ELECTRIC CARS AND THEIR BATTERIES NEEDS TO BE BETTER BEFOR THE MASSES WILL BUY ONE. WHEN YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE A FEW MILES BEFORE IT NEEDS A RECHARGE THEY WON'T SELL MANY.
epf Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,594 Points:926,075 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:49:14 PM Ignore epf Report Abuse It is way too early to call this a solution. We are still utilizing fossil fuel.
cuddlie Rookie Author Arizona Posts:47 Points:61,495 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:47:07 PM Ignore cuddlie Report Abuse I sure cant would be deeper in debt than i am.
carefrey All-Star Author Orlando Posts:985 Points:221,980 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:45:13 PM Ignore carefrey Report Abuse I know I couldn't afford to buy one.
preacherjohn All-Star Author Modesto Posts:827 Points:1,019,630 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:42:36 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse Who can afford to buy them??
myambro Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,139 Points:437,740 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:39:35 PM Ignore myambro Report Abuse Get the Gov't out of it and it will probably be safer, cheaper, more reliable, and so on.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:37:33 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse I agree. Fuel cell is the future.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:36:31 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse Investors should be wary. Why invest in something that has a lot of unanswer questions.
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:4,670 Points:1,359,070 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:36:22 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Fuel cells
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,793 Points:633,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:32:57 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse dipstick: not when you have solar energy available and can charge your car while it's parked during the work day.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,793 Points:633,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:32:20 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse so far I've not heard yet a word on the battery costs... however, wasn't there something a while back that the car maker was going to replace the batteries b/c they were only "leased" to the owner? I didn't pay too much attention at the time, I admit, but I was busy with more important things.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,363 Points:1,165,235 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:32:13 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse sure are taking their time in bringing the many different kinds of driving cars out into the public eye
Dipstick1 Champion Author Amarillo Posts:5,135 Points:1,476,815 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:29:58 PM Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse Electricity is higher than gasoline...a subtle fact that no one seems to be spreading.
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,954 Points:572,525 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:24:20 PM Ignore Romey08 Report Abuse I heard the batteries on a hybrid need to be replaced after 8 years, which is a huge capital cost.
knot2swift Veteran Author Calgary Posts:468 Points:135,955 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:19:54 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse Replacing batteries may be the only big cost. We had a documentary (The show is called Doc Zone) on CBC about "Who killed the electric car". It was about the EV1 in California back in the nineties. GM killed it for there was no work in the car. It also threatened to put gas stations out of business. A technician, interviewed, said there was very little to do to service it other than check the batteries and top up the windshield fluid. A gas car requires oil changes and filters and air filters and exhaust work. Sometimes gas cars need new alternators and starters plus a whole bunch of engine work occasionally. Gas cars are very dirty to work with but there's lots of money to be made. I'm sure in time, batteries will be made that can hold more charges and last longer.
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:605 Points:656,035 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:13:08 PM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse I still think electric cars cant stand on their own without Government help.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:1,003 Points:214,415 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:09:02 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse I am definitely going to buy one, at the break-even between the price vs. existing cost of exploitation.
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,330 Points:2,222,360 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:03:31 PM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse Thats the BIG thing, is the replacement costs of the batteries!
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,360 Points:513,020 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:03:07 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse " Lache thinks battery prices will drop by a quarter in the next five years and by half in the next ten, even as performance increases." That will help affordability.
snewwee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,994 Points:1,015,080 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:02:29 PM Ignore snewwee Report Abuse Solar power is the way to go.
plebe2001de Champion Author Delaware Posts:1,077 Points:221,615 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:56:17 PM Ignore plebe2001de Report Abuse Again we need answers to a few questions before some of us will want to buy an electric car. 1) How well does the electric car run compared to gas cars? 2) How far can they go before recharging. 3) What is the cost to buy and what will be the cost to replace the batteries? 4) Are we really saving on pollution? What is the pollution for manufacturing the batteries, for disposing of the batteries and the cost and pollution from charging the batteries. Electric Companies are the largest polluters! They are important questions and we need independent studies done to analyze these elect5ric cars. And I for one will not buy a car for just driving around town. That is a ridiculous cost and will actually create more pollution. I only need one car now. It meets all of my driving needs, locate and non-local driving. There only had to be one car manufactured fr me. To need a second car for local driving, there would be a whole second car manufactured and delivered. That manufacturing uses energy, raw materials, and creates pollution in the process f manufacturing the car. How many miles and years will it take to save enough energy and pollution to overcome the pollution caused in manufacturing. Oh and I would have to pay for 2 cars on Insurance, tags, and state inspection each year. I do not think I will be buying an electric car in the near future.
ChiKid Champion Author Denver Posts:1,858 Points:517,520 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:54:14 PM Ignore ChiKid Report Abuse Mercedes is having Tesla develop electric power systems for its smart cars. Nobody says they are a dumb company.
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:4,233 Points:467,180 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:52:41 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse You or anybody that thinks the electric car is the answer in my opinion is an idiot. the car is expensive you mostlikely have to plug it in and electric is expensive around here. then you have the electric grid that is already overtaxed and even theough the electric companies are paying bonuses they wnat a handout to fix the grid that they should have been investing in in the first place. Electric sucks.
rfe330 All-Star Author Winston-Salem Posts:700 Points:229,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:49:55 PM Ignore rfe330 Report Abuse The Germans seen to be more committed to alternative power. Most Geman villages have a wind generator or two outside town.
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:584,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:48:47 PM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse I think range and affordability are the two factors that have held uyp the electric car market
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,928 Points:712,905 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:47:02 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse "Yet Rod Lache of Deutsche Bank sees reason to think electric cars will spread faster than the public gives them credit for." Finally, someone who agrees with me. But, it couldn't be a fellow American. It had to be a German!
DellMan Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,917 Points:442,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:39:42 PM Ignore DellMan Report Abuse The electric car will be a fad unless they make one which can do normal speeds like a gas driven car and have the batteries last longer than 40 miles.
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:4,006 Points:1,153,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:36:38 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse It's hard to know when to jump on and commit your money. Near term, electric looks more like a fad. If engineers can wring out more performance and costs of buying and operating come down, different story.
ShabbyPA Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,089 Points:328,240 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:24:25 PM Ignore ShabbyPA Report Abuse Give me my ford,dont want electric
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,248 Points:1,258,910 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:22:14 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse Who knows where electric cars will go. Any good new technology starts out expensive and then gets cheeper with time and popularity and the technologies advances. Time is the only question in this situation.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,805 Points:1,331,500 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:18:18 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Skepticism is always a factor for prodent investors. It is part of the risk assessment. Unfortunately during the dotcom runup , unsophisticated investors with a "me too" attitude entered the market and ultimately were burned. Everything eventually ends.
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,012 Points:564,725 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:05:22 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse Electric cars don't contribute to the road tax fund. Who is going to pay their way?
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:2,641 Points:683,605 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:01:21 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse Yes, why not?!!!
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,502 Points:528,465 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:00:07 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse I have to wonder if the oil companies are behind all the propaganda regarding electric cars.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,205 Points:595,660 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:57:16 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Electric cars wont have a chance until this closed minded generation dies off.
MRED3 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,265 Points:443,245 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:56:42 PM Ignore MRED3 Report Abuse Will see but I don`t think so.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:4,388 Points:313,600 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:53:06 PM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Well put Dancin. McGuinty has got to go!!!!!
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,221 Points:1,784,145 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:40:49 PM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse In Canada, cold weather starting, and LONG battery life will be key. And relatively inexpensive replacement batteries. In Ontario, the Liberals will tax the hell out of them for disposal, so it is not an appealing purchase.
jscdig Champion Author Maine Posts:5,990 Points:548,915 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:39:46 PM Ignore jscdig Report Abuse Admittedly, a Fusion Hybrid is not a totally electric car but I drove one last week and was very impressed and intrigued by it. Very, very nice car and I think an interesting one to own and it certainly is capable of long distance travel.
dhnbBUG Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,621 Points:732,055 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:34:34 PM Ignore dhnbBUG Report Abuse The oil industry is holding new technologies back.
gashog4x4 Veteran Author Arizona Posts:432 Points:418,485 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:34:21 PM Ignore gashog4x4 Report Abuse All of the nay sayers here remind me of what was said of the horseless carriage a little over a hundred years ago, "It's a toy for the rich." "It's just a fad, it'll never catch on." "It's too expensive and too complicated for the common man to own" "Them new fangled things will never replace the horse." Blah blah blah ad nauseum! Change, like other things we talk about, happens. Our kids or grand kids will look back at us like we do with our forefathers and the horseless carriage, stubborn old kooks who hold onto their oldfashioned ways too long.
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,422 Points:1,619,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:28:56 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse Investing in something that probably won't work is not good money management.
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:28:09 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse They won't spread so much until they get some more of the bugs worked out.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,343 Points:1,664,415 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:25:52 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse Electric cars are not even generally available yet, so I think it's far too early to speculate about acceptance. I know that a 100 mile range is minimal here in Southern California.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:11,054 Points:1,251,275 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:25:49 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse It certainly won't be any cheaper for the general public, but what is? Bring it on, and let the rich buy them first as guinea pigs.
tnsilvertip Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,199 Points:444,890 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:25:29 PM Ignore tnsilvertip Report Abuse It just occured to me that maybe an induction pad in the parking lot could be used to recharge cars while you were shopping, eating, whatever. All electric cars would have standardized induction charging system so that one type parking stall could charge any car. Pull into the designated position, swipe your debit card, and walk away. When you come back you push the QUIT button, retrieve you receipt for the parking/charging fee and drive off. This might help with the distance/range thing which is turnoff for me right now.
ashishpa All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:744 Points:168,775 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:21:26 PM Ignore ashishpa Report Abuse Electric cars have still a way to go for cost efficiency, practicality for long travel, infrastructure and still there are doubts about the quality.
bills55 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,178 Points:303,950 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:14:27 PM Ignore bills55 Report Abuse Wish they went further
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:4,236 Points:1,015,685 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:12:39 PM Ignore mplato Report Abuse wont catch any of my money investing in one of these money traps. YOU HAVE TO PLUG IT IN TO RECHARGE IT!!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PLUG IT IN AT THE MALL....OFFICE....FAST FOOD..... The electric companies are going to LOVE you with one of these!
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,210 Points:596,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:12:04 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse Electric cars are in our future...