So how many plug-in hybrid vehicles can we expect to see on the roads in around five years time? Well, a new report from cleantech market intelligence firm Pike Research may have the answer.
The company suggests that by 2015 a total of 1.7million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will be on the road worldwide with the United States to be the leading market. It predicts that 610,000 vehicles will be sold in the US alone in the next five years – though this would be short of the Obama administration’s one million plug-in vehicle targets.
China meanwhile will be a close second it suggests, with around 540,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles sold during the same period thanks to the country’s strong push for the production of electric vehicles.
Company representative Dave Hurst believes that Toyota, General Motors and Ford will together account for three-quarters of the world market but adds that emerging Chinese manufacturers including Chery and BYD Auto will be an emerging market force.
The report looks at the emerging plug-in hybrid electric vehicle market with a focus on the business issues and demand from drivers, as well as the effects of regulatory standards, technology issues, government incentives and an assessment of the leading manufacturers’ plug-in hybrid electric vehicle programmes.
