Case covers and analyzes the major players in the power cars, with a focus on the United States and China. The case looks at startups and acting automakers battery manufacturers, retrofitters, utilities and government. In 2009, the electric car industry was willing to take a giant leap forward, a start-up company a step ahead of the big automakers. Venture capital firms are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars in advanced electric and hybrid vehicles (PHEV) start-ups, while the existing companies are investing billions of dollars in electric car and PHEV research. There were also companies that upgrade existing cars, turning them into hybrids. The case also discusses the role of the U.S. government and China to promote the electric car industry by providing loans and grants for electric cars and batteries persons, and the provision of subsidies to consumers to buy electric cars. At the same time, the battery manufacturers have been racing to build enough lithium-ion batteries for cars to meet the expected demand. Most batteries have been designed and manufactured in Asia. The electric car industry also requires a huge infrastructure of charging stations in each country to electric car and PHEV owners to charge their cars outside their homes. Electricity companies are interested in the industry, and began working with automakers to see how widely used in electric cars the grid. The case also considered internal combustion engine manufacturers were hit back with new engines that are smaller, more economical and more environmentally friendly. "Hide
by Robert A. Burgelman, Debra Shifrin Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business 42 pages. Publication Date: September 23, 2008. Prod. #: SM175-PDF-ENG
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