Study: Major cities will be the first to get electric-charging stations

There is no doubt that Americans are getting ready for electric-vehicles. According to a study released by consulting firm McKinsey & Co., electric-vehicles could account for up to 16 percent of new vehicle sales in New York City by 2015 – a figure that shows that major cities will be the first to get electric-car charging hubs.

If McKinsey’s estimates hold true, New York could see a total of 70,000 electric-vehicles over the next five years.

“Understanding the consumer perspective — both the early adopters and the rest of the market — is critical to achieving the electric-car breakthrough,” said Stefan Knupfer, the boss of McKinsey’s automotive and assembly practice in the Americas. “That’s why we carried out extensive market research in three megacities around the globe.”

Paris is expected to see electric-vehicles representing 9 percent of new-car sales by 2015, while Shanghai should see 5 percent.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)