Uncertain future

ELECTRIC cars are one of several factors creating an uncertain future for traditional car manufacturers, according to a report by consulting firm AlixPartners.

They’re taking off fast in China and Europe and last year about 350,000 plugin cars were sold in China, up 84% from the previous year, almost twice as many as in the US. And while foreign car makers account for the majority of sales in China, the report said 96% of those electric cars are made by Chinese companies.

‘‘The Chinese government is saying this is our chance to leapfrog the industry and take a commanding position in a growing space,’’ Mark Wakefield, of AlixPartners, said.

That applies to the lithiumion batteries that power electric cars as well: China’s battery manufacturing capacity is growing twice as fast as any other country’s. — TCA