Many automobile industry executives believe that sales of traditional vehicles will peak before 2020 and are looking to electric-only vehicles (EVs) as one of the next hot products, but they will first have to address stringent consumer requirements about EV performance, recharging, and convenience, according to a new IBM survey of consumer attitudes and a recent study of auto industry executives.
Traffic congestion in the US is back on the rise according to the 3rd Annual Inrix Traffic Scorecard. Analysing traffic flow from 2009 in the Top 100 metropolitan areas nationwide, the study found that gridlock across the US bottomed out in March 2009 and congestion levels have begun to bounce back, ending the year slightly ahead of 2008.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan says that the electric vehicle (EV) charging station market in North America has grown immensely, helped along by favourable government level (federal, state and municipal) incentives and subsidies for the purchase of EVs. The government is extending these plans to the installation of charging station and funding programmes such as ECOtality's EV project, which is trying to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in six major states.
Ho Chi Minh City government in Vietnam is targeting traffic congestion and gridlocks by implementing a range of measures including hikes in parking charges in central zones, banning private vehicles on some streets at particular times, and increasing registration charges for cars and motorcycles. Moreover, Mien Tay and Mien Dong bus terminals will be relocated to outskirt zones, while other bus terminals will be improved and enlarged.
