While many of the electric car manufacturers in the headlines today are well-known companies we’ve also seen the emergence of new up-and-coming companies which are specifically targeted at the electric vehicle market. So who are the major players in electric car market and who should we look out for in the future?
Tesla motors
Tesla motors is a company which will be forever associated with the electric vehicle market and having only been incorporated back in July 2003 it is amazing to see the reputation and respect the company has attracted. Since the introduction of electric vehicle, companies such as Tesla motors have attempted to push technology to the limit and Tesla motors has concentrated upon the sports car market with great success. The Tesla Roadster is perhaps the most recognisable electric car on the market today and while the first model was introduced shortly after the company was incorporated it is still in demand today and has grown with the company.
Global Electric Motorcars (GEM)
GEM is also a relatively young company although its roots can be traced back to 1992 when a group of ex-General Motors engineers got together to try and attack the electric vehicle market. Such was the early success of the company that it was eventually swallowed up by Daimler Chrysler and became part of the motor giant in December 2000. There is no doubt the backing of a massive parent group has helped the company but it has to be said that the initial ideas introduced in 1992 form the basis for what is one of the fastest growing electric car companies at the moment.
REVA electric car company
The REVA electric car company began as a joint venture back in 1994 and still has its roots firmly within India. Like so many of the early start-up electric vehicle companies, control was acquired by a larger operation in May 2010 in the shape of Mahindra and Mahindra, one of India’s more prominent vehicle manufacturers. While there may well be some adjustments to earlier partnerships for engines and other equipment there is no doubt that the REVA electric car company is also set to move on to bigger and better things in the future.
General Motors
Despite the fact that General Motors is now making a play for the electric car market this is a company which many believe held back the electric vehicle after releasing the EV1 back in 1990 and then withdrawing the car from the market at the height of its popularity. Many believe there was some form of political interference with regards to the withdrawal of the EV1 but this has never been proven although ultimately General Motors is now more heavily involved in the electric car market than ever before.
Conclusion
After initially seeming to discount the electric vehicle market we are now seeing many of the major traditional car manufacturers acquiring relatively young companies and looking to break into the market this way. There are plenty of young up-and-coming electric vehicle companies which have proven themselves in their relatively short history who are now very much on the buying list of the majors.