Carmakers in Japan, the United States, China and South Korea have become serious about mass production of electric cars. Japanese makers are on the leading edge in technologies for motors, high-quality and high-capacity batteries, and electronic control parts.
It is hoped that they will widen their lead and help spread the use of electric cars, although power shortages caused by the Fukushima nuclear power plant crisis since the March 11 earthquake is a negative factor.
As many countries strengthen regulations for automobile emissions, electric car manufacturing can become an important eco-friendly industry. But sales of electric cars are expected to increase only at a gradual pace since their prices are still high compared with ordinary cars.