Building Markets in CleanTech
Those of us who have been around the tech industry for a while have seen some interesting, cooperative plays among supposed “competitors” that are put into place in order to add force in the creation of new markets. But why do business entities that are generally regarded as enemies decide to work together?
Though I’m sure there are examples of this that date back much further, oldsters like me can remember when Ray Noorda, founder of Novell, introduced the concept of “coopetition” in the 1980s. Long before TCP/IP would become the standard by which the Internet functions and Ethernet (now “WIFI”) would be used for short distances, the struggle for dominance in the fledgling market of computer networking was intense. Yet various concerns decided to work together, simply because they deemed that this was necessary to create the new market for computer networking.
The reason this is noteworthy is that, today, certain entities in cleantech understand that creating new markets that will ultimately replace fossil fuels with renewables require a great deal of this so-called “coopetition.” And the industry is rife with examples, one being, Elon Musk’s announcement a few years ago that his nationwide network of fast-charging stations would be available to all EV drivers, regardless of what vehicle they were using.
Now we hear that VW will use the battery packs in the Tesla “PowerWall” as the core of their own fast-charging stations, rated at 210 KW, meaning that drivers can leave their driveways, drive 300 miles, pull off for a snack, and 20 minutes later pull back onto the freeway with 70 kWhrs of electrical energy, sufficient to propel them another 300 miles.
That’s the distance from New York City to Charlotte, NC. How far does anyone really want to drive in one day?
Musk wrote recently: “Exciting to see all the new electric vehicles coming to market! We created Tesla to accelerate a sustainable future & it’s happening!”
Obviously, there will be critics who write-off such language as insincere marketing claptrap, but such remarks will come from people who have no understanding of Musk whatsoever. He’s changing the world for the better; he’s incredibly effective at it, and he couldn’t care less what anyone thinks or says about him.
Tesla’s stock was off today; it’s fairly volatile, but its market cap is a cool $53 billion. Advice: Don’t bet against Elon Musk.
Craig,
You are absolutely correct when you write fierce healthy commercial competition doesn’t prelude co-operation to develop new markets and new technologies.
Very often different companies and individuals each own a piece of the puzzle, bur it’s only when a relatively small enterprise invents or innovates a relatively small, but essential component the whole picture becomes commercially viable.
You are also correct to applaud the enormous contribution of Elon Musk in commercializing EV technology.
As an early stake holder in EV technology, early Tesla shareholder/investor and Tesla Model S owner, I am a great (but not uncritical) admirer of Elon Musk.
However, it remains a mystery why so many ardent Musk enthusiasts, (like yourself) preach the virtues of owning an EV without ever purchasing one ?
What’s especially irritating is the way you lecture in a finger wagging fashion at all those who don’t own an EV, while wearing rose tinted glasses.
I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you spoke from personal experience when you claim “drivers can leave their driveways, drive 300 miles, pull off for a snack, and 20 minutes later pull back onto the freeway with 70 kWhrs of electrical energy, sufficient to propel them another 300 miles”
Any Tesla owner will tell you that in normal driving conditions, with passengers, the reality is very different and if you had ever owned an EV you would appreciate why.
None of that would matter, except it makes it so much harder for real EV enthusiasts to raise public awareness and credibility for EV adoption.
Silly, sanctimonious, inaccurate lectures from advocates preaching about products they’ve never bothered owning, do great harm. The doubting public are prompted to ask the valid question “why don’t you practice what you preach? ”
Hmmm,… maybe I’m being a little unkind, but it remains a valid question, why don’t you own a Tesla or any other EV ? What is stopping you if you really believe what you say ?
This year I will replace my BMW i8. (give to my daughter). It’s still a nice car but the EV Porsche, Jaguar or Aston Martin all look irresistible, as does the long awaited new Tesla Roadster.
For me, the attraction of the British makes is the availablity of these makes (including Porsche) in RHD.
Unfortunately, where I live there’s no Tesla fast charging, no Federal and State government tax credits, so if I can still drive ad EV, why can’t you? You live in the best state in the world to buy an EV, what’s stooping you ?