The electric vehicle transition is picking up pace as research from Cornwall Insight reveals eight major car manufacturers have initiated joint ventures into EVs.
Of the 13 major car manufactures globally, eight have either engaged or attempted to arrange a joint venture in regards to EVs.
The scale at which the major manufacturers are racking up partnerships is “unprecedented”, said Tom Lusher, analyst at Cornwall Insight, and indicates that pressure from consumer demand and regulation is mounting to develop electric transport.
The majority of partnerships are concentrated on research and development and the manufacturing of EVs, Lusher explained.
Notable examples include BMW collaborating with Daimler for urban mobility services, including EV charging, and Toyota and Subaru jointly developing a platform for battery electric vehicles. There is also a range of agreements between car manufacturers for the development and manufacturing of new EVs.
As partnerships between automakers increase, the supply of EVs to international markets is likely to pick up in the early 2020s, Lusher said.
There is then a requirement for more charging infrastructure and EV platforms to facilitate great numbers of EVs on the road.
This seems to also be on the agenda of some of the car manufacturers, as several partnerships for infrastructure and platforms have been announced this year.
Honda unveiled partnerships with EV charging solutions provider Ubitricity and battery storage firm Moixa to build a portfolio of energy management services, offering a comprehensive solution for EV customers.
Volkswagon launched a power supply division dubbed ‘Electric Life’, designed to build a portfolio of intelligent power tariffs, domestic EV charging solutions and a smart energy management system.
Jaguar Land Rover also announced an EV partnership this year, collaborating with NewMotion for the installation of 166 smart chargers at its Gaydon Engineering Centre.
