Presentation given at the EV Battery Forum 2011 (Asia Edition) in November 2011 in Shanghai. The presentation focuses on attempts to use car sharing and battery leasing methods to expand the penetration of electric vehicle usage. Highlights some issues resolved and unresolved.
1. Moving to the Pragmatists
Using battery leasing and car sharing to expand the EV
market.
Glenn Austin Green
Assistant Business Development Manager
EVB Technology (HK) Limited
2. Agenda
• EVB Technology (HK) Ltd Background
• Market’s Current Status
• Battery Leasing Project Experience
• Car Leasing/Sharing Attempt
• Conclusion of Two Methods
• Final Thoughts
3. EVB Technology (HK) Ltd Background
• 100% owned by GP Batteries Group
• Factory located in Hong Kong
• Manufactures in Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
and Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LiFePO4)
• 17+ years experience in manufacturing large
format batteries
• One of the first Ovonic licensees for NiMH
• Pioneered Nickel foam positive electrodes
• Quality Accreditation – ISO/TS16949 Certificate
from DNV
• Owner of Vectrix electric maxi-scooter company
4. Where are we now?
Innovators and Early
Adaptors Stage – similar
to the last wave.
New entries and new
hype
Facing the risk of subsidy
withdrawals from crisis in
government finances.
Entering the dangerous
“ShaTsuiRoad_Tsuen Wan” by SIU Wai Hang period.
5. Battery Leasing Experience
New entries into Norway disturbing
the sale of the Buddy.
Battery leasing proposed to
generate more sales and
exposure for the Buddy car
in Norway.
Propose to start with a
trial of 25 cars in the
Oslo to prove concept
6. Battery Leasing Experience
Key issues faced from battery leasing
solution
FINANCING
Finding the model and method to pay for the endeavor
WARRANTY
Coverage needed to change to soothe financial concerns
LEGAL
EVs and batteries treated differently
7. Battery Leasing Experience
Outcome? FAILED
Reasons for the failure:
LEGAL
Consumer laws regarding disclosure scared off
potential interest
CULTURAL
Ownership vs. Leasing
8. Car Leasing/Sharing Attempt
Expand the exposure of EVs inside
Sweden
Use a combination of car leasing and
sharing to gain more
acceptance from general
public.
Method to place 50
Buddy cars in key
Swedish cities
9. Car Leasing/Sharing Attempt
Key issues faced from car
leasing/sharing solution
Customer Willingness vs. Reality
Large monetary difference between customer maximum
willingness to pay and actual cost
Rental ROI
Traditional rental company ROI is based upon 3 years
Second Hand EV Value
What is the market price for a used leased/shared EV?
10. Car Leasing/Sharing Attempt
Outcome? ABANDONED
Reasons for the abandonment:
LACK OF INTEREST
Marketing and Public Relations agencies did not
return calls/emails.
UNSOUND BUSINESS PLAN
Could not express clearly means to show
added value for involvement in the program.
UNSTABLE FINANCES
Core business in a rough patch.
11. Conclusion of the Methods
Attempt battery leasing again?
NO
RISK associated with the
warranty too great
LEGAL certainty unresolved over multiple issues.
Attempt again to set up car leasing/sharing
program or agreement?
Undecided
Decision dependent on partners
and how the market progresses.
12. What is the future for the market?
Too uncertain to say
with confidence.
2012 is a critical year
Should we remain an
industry serving only
innovators or should
we blossom to the
“KwunTong Road_Kwuntong” by SIU Wai Hang pragmatists?
13. Special Thanks
• SIU Wai Hang for use of image from
his Metropolis Chlorophyll collection.
• Metropolis Chlorophyll
Our city is densely packed with high rise buildings which keep
intruding into any existing oasis. The wrestling between concrete
and the greens is endless. Through the utilization of the
sensitivity of infrared photography towards chlorophyll, the
vanishing greeneries hidden in the gaping voids among the city’s
concretes, be it rooftop or back alleys, are being captured as
unique golden yellow colour. The glittering tenacious lives of
plants exude a cry in these infrared images and make audience
reflect on the banishment of nature under a fast paced
urbanization.