Electric Automobiles

Do you know what one of the most famous producers of vacuum cleaners, mobile device producer and successful American entrepreneur have in common? All of them have in recent years been interested in the production and sale of electric cars. Dyson is a producer famous for its vacuum cleaners, headed by a British investor Sir James Dyson. Their strategy from 2016 related to production of electric automobiles, implied an investment of over € 2 million. Their vision was to produce an electric automobile “radical and different”, targeting specific customers. In October 2018 a construction of production plant located in Singapore was planned, while the first vehicles were planned for the year 2021. 523 employees in Great Britain and Singapore participated from the beginning of this project. However, a decision was made to abort this project due to low possibility of commercial success.

One of the most famous producers of mobile phones and other mobile devices has its own project in the field of electric automobiles named “Titan”. From 2018 this project encompasses research and development engaging around 5,000 employees. According to a BBC report from that year, Apple had 66 registered vehicles from own production as well as those adapted in their plant. Last year, they confirmed that they were working on the hardware, software and services in this field, with the aim of forming a partnership with car producers, in the objective of creating of electric vehicles with an option of steering without human driver.

The American entrepreneur Elon Musk achieved the biggest success in the desire to produce and deliver electric cars. Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning founded Tesla Motors in the year 2003, and in the year 2004 Elon Musk becomes a Chairman of the Board of Directors by investing into the development of the company. Through the years Tesla became a leading producer of lithium batteries as well as electric automobiles. When developing distribution in America and the rest of the world, Tesla actively expanded the supercharger network for electric vehicles, providing fast charging for free. Currently the designing and production of vehicles and batteries is performed at 5 locations worldwide. Last year they sold around 500 thousand electric powered vehicles, which presents an increase of 35.8% compared to year 2019. The main reason for Tesla’s success, but also the interest of many automobile drivers, is the need for reduction of exhaust emissions. Use of fossil fuel for powering of vehicles presents one of the major risks for health of people and environment degradation.

Numerous initiatives resulted from scientific studies and a prohibition of driving of vehicles powered by fossil fuel in many cities in Europe was announced, starting from 2024. Seven of the leading producers of cargo carrying vehicles Daimler, Scania, Man, Volvo, Daf, Iveco and Ford have announced that they shall be discontinuing production of vehicles with classic engines, in phases, up the year 2040 and shall transfer to alternative types of fuel without exhaust emissions. These initiatives are only a part of what has been started in the previous years. An increase in the share of electric powered vehicles has been recorded in which the countries of Northern Europe mark a serious increase.

The main reason of increase of sales of vehicles powered by alternative fuel, except for announced and active prohibition of movement, are incentives introduced in some countries, which refer to subsidies for purchase of vehicle, registration, no pay toll fee for these vehicles and similar. In the year 2020 in Serbia Decisions were rendered pertaining to subsides for purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles. For purchase of electric passenger vehicles with up to 9 seats and light cargo carrying electric vehicles you have a right to a subsidy of € 5,000. For the purchase of plugin vehicles there is a subsidy of € 3,500, and for hybrid vehicle € 2,500. For mopeds and light tricycles there is a subsidy of € 250, and for motorcycle € 500.

Still, these vehicles are bought less than convention vehicles, for reason that they can travel only 300 km with one charge, insufficient number of fast chargers in all regions, as well as their high price. If you are not in a position to purchase this kind of vehicle, the alternative to diesel and gasoline powered vehicles, with a lower emission, are vehicles powered by liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG). Nelt in its fleet has a large number of LGP powered passenger vehicles, and a certain number of CNG vehicles, proven as suitable fuel for vans and trucks. It is anticipated that in the years to come, apart from electric powered vehicles, other vehicles powered by other types of fuel which contribute to the decrease of emission shall be developed.