By 2017, Most PEVs Will 'Get the Show on the Road' with Advanced Telematics

Industry players, packages and pricing

According to the report, 80 percent of electric vehicles will include advanced telematics systems by 2017. There are four key segments in the PEV telematics industry: automakers; hardware manufacturers; software developers; and wireless communication providers, call centers and Web portals.

Hardware manufacturers experience a bit of a culture shock, as automotive development generally targets an eight- to ten-year lifespan, compared to a two- to three-year lifespan for other wireless devices. For this reason, despite the fact that much of the data being transferred in PEV telematics can be done easily with a slow GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) connection, most hardware manufacturers are targeting 3G services with their modems to ensure compatibility with the wireless network long term.

The PEVs being introduced will offer basic telematics as a part of the sticker price. As a result, basic telematics penetration within just the PEV segment is expected to be 89 percent worldwide in 2011 and will likely grow to 94 percent in 2017, according to analysts.

Connected vehicle telematics are more likely to be an upgrade option. It is notable, however, that the first mass-market PEVs (Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius Plug-in) all come with connected vehicle telematics for three years as part of their base purchase price.

Early adopters of PEVs worldwide tend to be tech-savvy and more affluent than the average vehicle purchaser. This combination is expected to help grow interest in the more advanced connected vehicle telematics packages, as well. The global penetration rate for PEV connected vehicle telematics sales is expected to start at 73 percent in 2011 and grow to 80 percent – or 4.1 million vehicles, by 2017.

Said Pike Senior Analyst Dave Hurst: “Many automobile manufacturers are recognizing that including connected vehicle telematics in the early years of PEV retailing helps consumers recognize the value of the vehicle.”

Edited by Braden Becker


View the Original article