Slowly but surely, we’re seeing more countries make a commitment to reduce pollution levels, and China in particular has been proactive in implementing stricter policies to ensure the country and its citizens are engaging in more sustainable living. As more individuals and groups (and subsequently the countries in which they reside) push for cleaner solutions, certain topics come to the forefront of the conversation. Unsurprisingly, transportation methods and the auto industry have garnered their fair share of attention.
After all, let’s not forget Dieselgate, when Volkswagen used software to cheat pollution controls on their diesel models, an event that is proving to have a rather significant impact on industry developments. In the report OEM Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Strategies: China and Dieselgate Drive Growth in Plug-In Electrification, Strategy Analytics notes that in response to the Volkswagen scandal and policy-driven pollution control measures in China, industry and consumer interest in electrified vehicles has increased, and several automakers have announced they are planning on developing new electric and hybrid vehicle models.
There are a few benefits for automakers wanting to go this route. Dieselgate proved that controlling diesel emissions is becoming less affordable, a very strong motivator for automakers to turn their efforts towards electrification. Another factor is company image. Volkswagen in particular intends to become a leader in electric vehicles in order to counteract the detrimental effects the emissions scandal had on its reputation. Finally, other automakers with the objective of developing more electric vehicles hope to anticipate tougher mandates and testing procedures, which will no doubt be implemented as time goes on.
There’s still a long way to go as far as the number of people driving electric powered vehicles, but considering the intentions of several automakers, we may very well see more sustainable electric vehicles on the road in the near future. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be the ones driving them.