The automotive industry has made tremendous strides toward developing “advanced powertrain” systems — clean alternatives to the internal combustion engine that will power the next generation of cars and other vehicles.
To date, EVs have captured the spotlight, and certainly they are important. But the terrain could shift abruptly, leading to rapid development of power systems based on fuel cells, compressed natural gas and a variety of other power sources.
Be flexible
With the stakes so high, companies cannot afford to under-invest in this area. But as any smart investor knows, it’s wise to diversify. Companies must stay flexible and adaptive across all of the next-generation powertrain alternatives and transition fuels, including natural gas, diesel and eventually fuel cells.
By remaining flexible, businesses will be more able to anticipate changes in consumer preference, and to invest in the right technologies. For many companies, the real opportunities may lie in improving the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine.
There are still many improvements to be made, and they could significantly affect the acceptability of the EV. Meanwhile, many companies are investing heavily in EVs and fighting hard to establish leadership in that sphere. Those that succeed will be those that get an accurate read on the tastes of early adopters, whose feedback ultimately will determine the size of the market.
The bigger picture
And vehicles are only one part of the cleantech picture.
Companies should be thinking hard about how they can operate their businesses in a sustainable way. Sustainability spans all areas of the business: R&D; manufacturing and assembly; sales and distribution; marketing; maintenance; and aftermarket services such as disposal.
Cleantech is a broad term that refers not just to the end product, but to the operations and processes used to make it.
Companies that re-engineer their facilities to use water, electricity and other resources more efficiently will save money and enjoy quicker payback on their cleantech investments.
« Previous | Next »
