Whoever thought that the end to gasoline-powered vehicles would be this spontaneous and far-reaching, must have been living decades in the future. The transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric powered vehicle has gained unimagined traction within the past five years. Could the earth be at the brink of total destruction as a result of pollution? Could it be that this quick transition is propelled by the seeming cheap cost of operating an EV? Whatever your answer is, might likely have a positive bearing on this quick transition.
Electric vehicles have always been a spectacle that attracts attention wherever it glides. This resonates with the reaction in early 1900 when an English electric car, Electromobile nicknamed ‘Bringer of Happiness’, made its appearance in the street of London. The attention of locals and kids was attracted by this unique kind of car. This unusual looking car had an unusual engineering design contribution. The automobile had a British chassis and body designed by Kellner of Paris. Could the international contribution to the engineering design of this unique car be the reason for global collaboration and focus on EV development by renowned automakers?
It is gathered that BMW and Mercedes-Benz parent company –Daimler, appear to be setting aside their decades-old rivalry for the good of cost-cutting joint development of a platform for future electric cars. This joint development may well be on the way but, the big name automaker BMW will be cooperating with Daimler to achieve model i2 of BMW. These automakers have always been known for their holistic approach to product development.
Little wonder why their new found love might birth a new mobility company to take on ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber.
On the other hand, BMW is doubling efforts to ensure that the new model i2 to be built from the ground up with Daimler’s cooperation would replace the i3 model. With the focus on cost-cut in the development of the i2 model, it will forego the costly carbon fiber construction used in model i3. This will further ensure the profitability of the i2 model. Underscoring the i3's cost to produce, BMW development chief, Klaus Fröhlich hinted it may be time for the car to move aside and make room for a new model. If the report's information is valid, the i2 should arrive in 2024 with a range of 186 miles. The targeted price is supposedly under $33,000.
Daimler would follow the i2 with its own EV based on the shared platform, potentially marketed under the Mercedes-Benz EQ sub-brand. The car is said to be similar in size to the current i3.
With the fast evolution of EVs across the world, underscored by major partnerships between Europe, America, and Asia, one would rightly ask, are other continents like Africa free of pollution resulting from automobiles? It might be rightly observed that Africa has no notable name in the auto manufacturing industry. However, courting partnership with EV automakers to startup mobility company to take on ride-hailing service would be a nudge in the right direction.
Gllyd Technology, a startup found by a Nigerian born entrepreneur living in Beijing, China, is making conscientious effort to cement partnership with EV automakers in China to launch e-mobility ride-hailing service in Nigeria. Nigeria with its large population obviously is a good market entry point into Africa. This might be the best partnership opportunity for EV automakers that wish to extend their market reach to Africa. Stick around as this development unwinds fully to bring the first major EV partnership in Africa.