EVLN(The ultimate struggle: GM's inductive & other automakers' conductive)

[Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <brucedp@iname.com>]

EVLN(The ultimate struggle: GM's inductive & other automakers'
conductive)
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 --- {EVangel}
EV - Chicago Tribune (TRIB) AUTO SHOW THE `CHARGE' TO SET A STANDARD
Ben Klayman,  Reuters.  02/17/99 (Copyright 1999 by the Chicago
Tribune)

A "charged" battle is brewing in the California electric- vehicle
market that is not unlike what occurred years ago when VHS fought
Betamax for videotape supremacy.  Automotive giant General Motors
Corp. is maneuvering to ensure that its electric-vehicle charging
format wins out over another method used by Ford Motor Co.,
DaimlerChrysler AG and some Japanese automakers.

Both sides have invested millions and do not want to end up like the
all-but-defunct Beta.  The ultimate struggle is between GM's inductive
charging method and most other automakers' conductive charging
approach. Some companies are rolling out new and improved deals on
their electric vehicles in hopes of winning private and commercial
buyers.

"We've got to get out there and expose the people to what conductive
charging is all about, to begin to educate the public and the industry
as well, about what we think is the better choice," said Craig Love,
the DaimlerChrysler executive engineer in charge of the company's
electric vehicle program.

Inductive charging is the same idea as a plastic-encased electric
toothbrush recharging in a plastic container. A plastic-coated paddle
in GM's EV-1 electric car eliminates the danger of exposed metal-to-
metal contact, making it safer and easier to use, GM spokesman Jim
Evans said.

Conductive charging is like plugging in a household appliance, just on
a much larger scale, Love said. Its proponents argue their approach is
more cost-effective and provides a more efficient transfer of energy.
They say concerns about possible electrical shock are overstated.

Inductive charge opponents also say privately that GM's main motive is
to protect its technology investment. GM's EV-1, introduced in
December 1996, was the first mass-marketed electric vehicle for sale
in the U.S.  In addition to Ford and DaimlerChrylser, other proponents
of conductive charging include Japan's Honda Motor Co. and Mazda
Motor Corp.

Inductive charging has built up a head of steam, however. Toyota Motor
Corp., Japan's largest automaker, added inductive charging as an
option on its RAV4-EV small sport-utility. It also will continue to
offer conductive charging.

The University of Michigan's David Cole said inductive charging may
have the lead because GM's technology was in the market first, but the
industry wants one recognized standard before electric vehicle sales
can really take off.

"It's clearly a real horse race, and I'm not sure who's going to
arbitrate," he said. "It ultimately doesn't make sense to have two
standards. One of the things the industry clamors for is
standardization."

California is the backdrop for the struggle because its air- quality
mandates require zero-emission vehicles to account for 10 percent of
automakers' annual volume in the state starting in the 2003 model
year. The state's mild climate and more developed electric vehicle
infrastructure make it ideal for the new technologies. Sales still
remain tiny, however, as GM has only sold about 550 EV-1 cars in two
years.

Chrysler sold 56 of its first electric vehicle, the TEVan, which made
its debut in 1993. This summer, it introduced the Electric Powered
Interurban Commuter, or EPIC, mini-van with a more durable,
longer-range nickel-metal hydride battery.

DaimlerChrysler said at the North American EV Infrastructure
Conference in Phoenix in December that it will deliver 120 EPIC mini-
vans, an electric version of the 1999 Dodge Caravan, to 11 dealers in
California. Including a wall-based charger, they lease for three years
at $450 a month.

The world's fifth-largest automaker is counting on the mini-van's
utility to make it popular with commercial customers such as
universities, private fleets and airports. And they hope popularity
will breed familiarity with their conductive charging technology.

In California, GM's EV-1 carries a three-year lease at $399 a month,
which includes federal and state incentives, Evans said.  Its 1999
EV-1 will offer a nickel-metal hydride battery as a $100 option. The
world's largest automaker also has sold more than 400 Chevrolet S-10
electric pickup trucks since May 1997.

Ford, which touted its support for conductive charging in Phoenix, has
sold more than 260 Ranger electric pickups in its first year,
spokeswoman Sara Tatchio said. The 1999 model, with a nickel-metal
hydride battery, can be leased for $450 a month or $349 with a lead-
acid battery.

PHOTO; Caption: PHOTO: GM's EV-1, the first mass-marketed electric
vehicle on sale in the U.S, uses an inductive charging method.
 ...
 http://www.chicago.tribune.com  bestes@tribune.com, ChiEd@aol.com
Copyright 1998 Chicago Tribune   1-800-TRIBUNE Tel# 312-222-3232 
Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News.
 ---
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