First published in Cleantech magazine, Volume 6, Issue 2. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd

By Richard Jordan

This year’s Geneva Motor Show, which took place in March, featured for the first time a Green Pavilion, showcasing the new and existing electric and plug-in hybrid models offered by both the large car manufacturers and smaller, niche players. There were no less than seven world premieres of electric vehicles (EVs) to be released over the next couple of years, and the opportunity for EV virgins (and some veterans) to take a test drive.

The Super Bowl is prime advertising time in the US. Check out this year's ad for the Chevy Volt:

....and last year's ad for the Nissan Leaf:

First Published in January 2012: A Review of Cleantech Equity Deals

2011 saw follow-on funding for electric vehicle manufacturers including Tesla Motors (following on from its IPO in 2010), Fisker Automotive and CODA Automotive as they approach volume production.

However, some manufacturers were less fortunate. Think Global filed for bankruptcy in June - for the third time in its history. Think’s assets were acquired by Russian investor Boris Zingarevich, but the company’s collapse had already impacted its major shareholder, battery manufacturer Ener1 which was subsequently forced to file for bankruptcy in early 2012.

Aptera Motors, meanwhile, had failed to raise capital to enter production and closed down in December.

The failures of Think and Aptera followed the collapse at the start of 2011 of UK electric van manufacturer, Modec. Elsewhere, however, electric drivetrain technology attracted funding, with Mission Motors securing funding from Warburg Pincus and GKN taking a stake in EVO Electric.

First Published in January 2012 - A Review of Cleantech Equity Deals

There were a host of deals in the EV charging infrastructure space in 2011 – sufficient for this sub-sector to merit its own section this year. Leading the pack – at least in terms of valuation – was the Better Place funding, which valued the company at $2.25 billion.

A major trend in evidence was the interest shown by industrial companies and telecommunications companies in the EV charging space. GE was amongst the new investors in Better Place, while other significant deals in 2011 included the ABB acquisition of Epyon (fast charging technology) and investment in ECOtality, the Qualcomm purchase of HaloIPT (inductive or wireless charging) and Toyota’s investment in WiTricity (wireless charging).

The equity deals were matched by a flurry of activity in terms of collaboration announcements. Non-equity deals during 2011 included:

- an agreement between GE and CODA Automotive for the distribution of the GE WattStation charging station;

- an announcement from Daimler that it will collaborate with Conductix-Wampfler on research into wireless charging, in a project part-funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU);

- news that Nissan and EV charging firm DBT are developing small DC fast chargers;

- IBM’s announcement that it will pilot a web and smartphone app which monitors charge levels;

- collaboration between Sumitomo and Nissan in the fast-charging space;

- a partnership between Nissan and 4R for solar charging systems for EVs;

- a collaboration between Evatran and Yazaki to develop wireless charging technology.

Meanwhile, a consortium of major automotive manufacturers is developing a standard for EV fast-charging. The group, which intends to create a universal charging system which will be compatible with charging methods across Europe and the US, includes Daimler, Audi, Ford, GM and Porsche.

The Racing Green Endurance sports car will be on display at the cinema screening on 15 November of Racing Green: Alaska to Argentina. The evening will involve short discussions by Claudio von Planta, director of the docmentary, and Project Manager, Alexander Schey. More information and registration.