STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
This business opportunity report focuses on the next generation of transportation that uses fuel cells and battery technologies for powering the industry in the United States. The report looks at the structure of the automotive industry, the companies involved in advanced power technologies, the current and projected power initiatives, and the projected markets for such technologies. Identified as a practical solution to many of the technological problems associated with zero-emission vehicles is the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which is defined as a combination internal combustion engine (ICE) with alternative battery power.
On the horizon is the fuel cell vehicle with some battery combination for "start up" or "power assist" conditions. An important objective of this study is to identify what is the most likely and appropriate technology for various classes of vehicles. Also identified in the next generation transportation arena is the substantial niche occupied by the small specialty electric vehicles, even though the all-electric passenger car is for practical purposes gone from the market.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
This study analyzes advanced technologies that offer the promise of performance equal to the internal combustion engine for transportation, the internal combustion engine's economy, and the possibility of zero or near-zero emission pollutant vehicles. The study identifies the opportunities and technological requirements of the zero-emission vehicle.
The all-battery-powered vehicle is a reality, but only in the category of the small specialty vehicles. Questions to be answered include analyzing when the fuel cell-powered vehicle will be a commercial reality, what type of battery will assist it, and how hydrogen fuel will be supplied to the fuel cell. Steps in next generation alternatives to the hydrocarbon powered internal combustion engine include satisfactory economics, the inevitable consolidation of the industry, and the increasingly successful introduction of hybrids. Other factors will be discussed in the Overview section.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study reveals the depth and scope of the battery and fuel cell-powered vehicle market. Hundreds of companies are playing a variety of roles. This study aims to provide essential knowledge to persons interested in investment, acquisition, or expansion into the diversity of batteries and fuel cells for transportation. The technologies and competitive factors to make informed decisions are addressed. Those who want to stay abreast of the state of the art will find this study worthwhile. The appraisal of the best technology or the most likely infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles is a notable contribution.
This technical/marketing report is designed to be as comprehensive as possible. The document is created for a broad audience of business, technical, investment, and regulatory professionals. This document is an information source for an emerging industry as well as a reference on a developing technology. It presents analysis and forward-thinking evaluations that will be of advantage to manufacturers, material suppliers, and to local, state, and federal government entities. Corporate planners will benefit from the report's evaluation of the demands for large-scale fuel cell applications and the companies involved in their development and manufacture. Others may well find the broad discussions of energy policy and the structure of the electrical power industry in the U.S. of considerable value in understanding the opportunities and problems facing the fuel cell industry over the next decade.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
Zero emission or ultra low emission vehicles are at an embryonic but emerging stage in the United States. There are, however, notable examples of these fuel cell and battery-powered vehicles in the rest of the world; the transportation industry is a global industry. This BCC, Inc. business opportunity study examines the market and technology for large vehicles such as buses, the light vehicle market and the small device market along with some other markets that fuel cells might be powering in the future. The report is a guide to the present and near-term (2007) zero or ultra low emission transportation markets and identifies the companies competing for their share of this inevitable technological advance.
The automotive business has become an intertwined international industry that redefines globalization. This report recognizes the compelling relationship amongst international corporate entities, but its central. analysis is for the United States market.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
An in-depth analysis of technical and business literature, a review of the history of the technologies involved, and interviews with industry experts, company representatives, federal government researchers, and university scientists provided an assessment of the outlook for the next generation of power for the transportation industry. Other sources of information included product literature from suppliers, scientific references, conferences, patent searches, and BCC, Inc.'s monthly newsletters, Fuel Cell Technology News, Battery & EV Technology, and Membrane & Separation Technology News.
The report makes projections for market sectors in terms of constant dollars representing real growth. Historical values are presented for the given year. The market analyzed is for the United States, but attention is given to the global aspects of the transportation industry.
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