How Electric Car Could Impact the Future Motor Industry - Research Proposal Example

How electric car could impact the future motor industry of the research This research proposal is for a study of BMW electriccar future trend in 2015 or How electric car could impact the future motor industry. The study proposal has stipulated methodologies, steps and various literatures associated with the title or other topics that are related to the topic of study. Overall aim The study needs to come up with the various impacts that may emanate from the introduction of electric vehicles in the motor industry. The researcher aims at using BMW as a case study of this research in order to analyse the trending patterns in the production of BMW electric cars. Relevance of the research This research is relevant in the sense that it aims at establishing how the invention and manufacture of electric cars could impact the future of the motor industry, and the steps that BMW is undertaking in carrying out this significant move of electric vehicle manufacturing. This will also ensure that pollution by vehicles that use petrol is reduced on a high level. BMW will benefit from the findings of this research in a great way. It will have a chance to look at the impacts of what they are venturing into and be in a position to decide on how well they can plan about the future of their company in electric car manufacture. The motor industry will also experience a massive change in the way it plans its future prospects and be in a position to determine various ethical issues and benefits that the study might have on the industry and try to work towards eliminating possibly negative impacts in the industry. The study is also relevant in the sense that it will enable other companies planning to venture into electric car manufacturing to analyse all relevant aspects that came out as findings of the study and be in a position to make adequate plans towards well planning for the same (BURTON, 2013, P. 65). Finally, the study will be an eye opener to customers and businessmen who buy and sell vehicles or companies that import and export those electric cars. They will have the opportunity to learn more about what to expect in the future market and future company plans. Literature review BMW and Daimler electric car production Mercedes-Benz parent company called Daimler and BMW are trying to face off against each other to win customers’ minds and wallets (TOWNSIN, 2000). They are targeting luxury car buyers and are doing all it takes to ensure that they offer the best in the market so that they are the preferred in the eyes of the buyers. However, the challenge of developing an electric car that is mass produced has inspired the two main pillars of Germany luxurious cars to set aside rivalry and work together on a project of city cars (TOM, KEMAL, & DAVID, 2002, P. 202). The project of the visio.M works well beyond Daimler and BMW. It is a group of a dozen players who have teamed up to come up with electric cars that suit the occasion of the day. The ministry of Education and research in Germany provided almost 11 million Euros in funding, while technical companies and the Technical University of Munich are planning to also take part in the move (GRAFF, KOTCHEN & MANSUR, 2012, P. 45). These collaborations are aiming at coming up with classy vehicles that are propelled by electricity rather than fuel and petrol to be precise. The main aim of their project is developing a car that makes a combination of the light weight that is necessary for city driving that is ample and with capabilities like appropriate safety equipment (SWANSON, 2012, P. 37). Mass production of electric cars For mass production of electric vehicles to be a possibility, there are major significant hurdles in technology that need to be overcome (TELL et al. 2013, P. 43). Previous electric vehicles that were small offered a minimum vehicle safety level and therefore are not marketable in mass numbers. Electric cars that came as a result of a derivation from gasoline powered models are normally too heavy and need large and expensive batteries. The parties planned to come up with a vehicle with 20 hp or 15 kW of power and around 400 kg, which is 880 lbs of bulk at the same curb (OUTELLIER, GASSMANN & ZEDTWITZ, 2008, P. 67). BMW’s steps in lighter vehicle manufacture BMW is taking ground-breaking steps in order to achieve this lighter vehicle weight. The i3s power-train that is also known as Drive module is a type of aluminum dolly, a low-deck unitized framework, with the battery that is liquid-cooled and assembled (450 pounds) within the same deck, connecting with the wheels (GILPIN, 2009, P. 102). The Drive module also integrates the Mac-Pherson-strut front/multilink suspension of the rear, the traction motor, assorted plumbing and power electronics. A 184-pound-foot, 170-hp electric motor sits on the back on the side of the side of the passenger, driving the rear wheels between 0 and 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and 93 mph e-limited speed at the top) and revolving up to its very blender 11,400 rpm (STACY, 2005, P. 23). Comparison between electric cars and Gas-propelled cars consumption Electric cars will require customers with a lot of money and wishing to acquire luxurious cars since they will be very expensive. This is in comparison to those cars that use combustion engines. The fuel costs and environmental impact is what creates the difference in the savings when using electric cars instead of fuel propelled cars. An electric car has no emissions and does not pollute the environment (OUTELLIER, GASSMANN & ZEDTWITZ, 2008, P. 114). Driving an electric car for a mile costs a fraction, in fact a very small one, of what it costs for an individual to drive a car that is powered by gas for a mile. Some critics still argue that that energy needed to power an electric car has a source, and in this case a power plant providing energy to the grid of electricity (WIMMER & MUNI, 2012, P. 34). Mitsubishi i-MiEV Data that was analysed from a research by Aston University synthesizes and compares the pattern of behavior of drivers of Mitsubishi i-MiEV in two consecutive quarters. According to Brian Price, collecting real world electric car usage through satellite mapping and analysis of the same is an essential in getting to understand actual requirements and demands of electric cars for consumers (WILLSON, 2001, P. 103). The process is already showing that he present ultra-low carbon generation vehicles are cheap to maintain if compared with diesel and petrol cars for speed, ease when it comes to usage, and daily journey distance that uses less than 30 % of total charge ( LEWIN, 2004, P. 75). Specific research objectives and questions The objectives of this research are as follows: 1. Establishing the impact that the future motor industry will face in the introduction of electric car manufacturing 2. Examining the trending pattern of electric car production in BMW in 2015 3. The study will also try to establish the take of the market concerning BMW electric cars that are already in the market and try to establish what the respondents feel that BMW is not doing right. The research questions for the study were: 1. How will BMW benefit from future production of electric cars? 2. What is the significance of this research to the motor industry? 3. What ethical practices or issues need to be put into consideration in the manufacture of electric cars? Methodology The research study used various techniques and strategies to establish information that was relevant in answering the research questions and achieving the objectives of the study, which were; 1. Establishing the impact that the future motor industry will face in the introduction of electric car manufacturing 2. Examining the trending pattern of electric car production in BMW in 2015 3. Examining the take of the market concerning BMW electric cars that are already in the market and try to establish what the respondents feel that BMW is not doing right. Research strategy The study used both qualitative and quantitative research design. Qualitative research design was used because the data collected was technical and needed analysis that has a possibility of incorporating tables and simple explanations of the findings of quantitative nature. Ethical issues The research raises an ethical issue, which may need to be technically worked on in order to counter it or get a lasting solution for the same. The design of a sophisticated electric car creates not only significant technical hurdles, but it also introduces countless ethical issues like minimum safety requirements and the need to integrate sustainability considerations. This research study will present the chief safety and sustainability issues in the debate of ethics over electric vehicles and then let the researcher to make consideration of numerous ethical issues like pollution, safety of the users. This study might call for cooperation of BMW so that the researcher is given sufficient protection when visiting the plant that may have numerous issues to do with safety. The researcher needs to be prepared for more than a single role. This is both collecting and making analysis of the data. The researcher also needs to identify the purpose of the study, the expected duration and the procedures to be followed during the study, the rights of the participants to take part or withdraw from the research even after it has began, and anticipate consequences of the same, consider any probable benefits of the research study, and identify potential risks involved in carrying out of the study. Access issues Some of the information for this research may be obtained from the BMW company offices and the company itself. This may require that the researcher liaises early enough with the administration of the company and seek to get an entry letter to the firm to collect data from the ground. The main challenge here will be cooperation from the workers or the management of the company, and the likelihood that the information gathered here is correct and substantial. Data collection tools and methods The study employed two types of methods. Questionnaire, the study used open, closed and structured questions to acquire data from the respondents. This method was used because it was able to collect quantified data and was convenient. Also interview method was used to collect information related to the impact that electric cars will have on the future of the motor industry. Questions were set in the interview guide and with the help of interview schedules; the researcher was able to meet the respondent and conducted face to face interactions where the researcher asked questions and respondents responded. This method was used because of its commenced and ability to give primary data. Secondly some survey and observation was incorporated into the collection of data to see to it that whatever some of the respondents stated, for instance in the company, the researcher observes and makes the final judgement. Some literature, both published and unpublished, was consulted especially from library, internet and technical papers that included engineering and design papers. Sampling The researcher made use of stratified and systematic sampling method in making the right sampling technique for this research. This enabled the researcher to categorize target respondents into groups of samples basing on what information the researcher needed from them. For instance, a stratum of administrators, managers, staff, and customers of luxurious cars was made and the identified individuals interviewed for information regarding their department or rather their area of interest. The sample size included respondents from a diversified range of parties involved in the motor industry and the population was at least three individuals from each section of the sample population (KALOF, DAN & DIETZ, 2008). Preliminary ideas for data analysis The data collected from the research study will include transcripts of interviews that will require an analysis and synthesis of final information got from the same, sorting of questionnaires and the information from the questionnaires analysed and presented at the end of the analysis. This research is linking two variables, which are the electric car and the motor industry. The two relate to each other and qualify each other for the topic to be complete. The two will be correlated basing on the finding s of the research and how each variable can stand or needs the other variable to stand. For instance, one is a dependant and the second is an independent variable. From analysis of data in this research, it will be noted that electric vehicles are environmentally friendly but are expensive for anyone to purchase. More so, it will also be evident that the future motor industry has chances of changing or moving into an enhanced production of these vehicles. This is because of the fact that there is ready market for the vehicles. Phasing/Time scale of the research Date Completed task Remaining task 01/02/2014 (Access issue fixing) 70 30 18/02/2014 (sampling) 65 35 01/03/2014 (interviews) 56 44 18/03/2014 (questionnaire administering) 50 50 01/04/2014 (data analysis) 35 65 18/04/2014 (data presentation) 20 80 The Gant chart above explains the various stages and steps in the carrying out of the research. It is aligned with specific dates as they appear in the table above the chart. This is to be sued by the researcher in planning on how appropriate they can put their plan in order for a smooth running of the study. Problems and limitations of the research proposal The key limitations that the researcher might encounter in making use of this methodology is the fact that some of the identified sample population might not be willing to freely give information that is relevant to the study being undertaken. This will give the researcher a challenge since false information or failure to respond totally may put the researcher in a challenging position of carrying out the study successfully. Therefore, the researcher needs to make a reconnaissance visit to the area of study and make a simple observation, prepare the respondents in advance and seek their hand in cooperating with this study. An early plan will make sure that such a limitation to the study is avoided before it reveals itself. No response can impact reliability and validity of the information that the researcher will use to compile their findings, and this should be addressed in good time by identifying a sample size that will cooperate with the researcher. Reference list BURTON, N. (2013). History of Electric Cars. Crowood Press, Limited, The. TOM DONNELLY, KEMAL MELLAHI, & DAVID MORRIS. (2002). The European automobile industry: escape from parochialism. European Business Review. 14, 30-39. SWANSON, J. (2012). How hybrid cars work. Mankato, Minn, Childs World. WIMMER, E., & MUNI, A. (2012). Motoring the future: VW and Toyota vying for pole position. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan. STACY, L. (2005). BMW. Vero Beach, Fla, Rourke Pub. LLC. GILPIN, D. (2009). BMW. Mankato, Minn, Sea-to-Sea Publications. LEWIN, T. (2004). BMW. St. Paul, Minn, Motorbooks International. TELL, R., SIAS, G., SMITH, J., SAHL, J., & KAVET, R. (2013). ELF magnetic fields in electric and gasoline-powered vehicles. Bioelectromagnetics. 34, 156-161. TOWNSIN, A. (2000). Daimler. Shepperton, Surrey, Ian Allen Pub. WILLSON, Q. (2001). Cars: a celebration. London, Dorling Kindersley. WIMMER, E., BLUM, P., & SCHNEIDER, M. (2011). Motoring the Future Volkswagen and Toyota Vying for Pole Position. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=815880. (2013). Encyclopedia of global brands. Detroit, St. James Press. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7C9781558628540&v=2.1&it=etoc&p=GVRL&sw=w. OUTELLIER, R., GASSMANN, O., & ZEDTWITZ, M. V. (2008). Managing global innovation: uncovering the secrets of future competitiveness. Berlin, Springer. KALOF, L., DAN, A., & DIETZ, T. (2008). Essentials of social research. England, Open Univ Pr. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=265851 GRAFF ZIVIN, J. S., KOTCHEN, M. J., & MANSUR, E. (2012). Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of marginal emissions implications for electric cars and other electricity-shifting policies. Cambridge, Mass, National Bureau of Economic Research. Appendix Interview schedule Hello dear respondents, My name is Allen Johnson; I am carrying out a research on how electric cars will affect the future of the motor industry and would like to request that you cooperate with me and answer some simple questions that may be of great help to my study. I promise that all information given will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Each participant should introduce themselves in a minute so that I know the people am working with. Kindly remember to mention what you do as a profession, age and whether you own an electric car or you wish to own one, and why you wish to if you do The major financers of this research study are BMW and the ministry of Energy. Since the study is majorly targeting to help the motor industry, there will be budget cuts from BMW and the government, partially. The results of this research shall be funnelled to the BMW Company and the Ministry of Energy for further steps to be taken. The researcher should plan out a 1 hour plan for each department and ask 3 basic questions systematically. 1. What do you think are the benefits of owning an electric car 2. Given chance, would you purchase an electric car or a gasoline-fueled car, and why 3. How do you think the future of the motor industry will be like, given the fact that currently there is the innovation of the electric car Morning Interview Schedule Read More