California goes electric?
State accounts for majority of world’s electric vehicle investment
California is fast becoming an international leader in the electric-car industry, but it remains unclear how the state’s job market will be affected.
In the first half of 2011, California companies developing electric vehicles, advanced hybrids and charging stations attracted $467 million in venture capital, accounting for 69 and 74 percent of all the capital invested in the electric-car industry around the world and in the U.S., respectively, according to the SF Chronicle. California is also tied with Michigan for the number of electric-vehicle-related patents registered from 2008 through 2010.
However, the consulting firm Collaborative Economics reported only 1,800 statewide jobs in the electric-car industry based off data collected in January 2010. While that number is likely higher now, it is clear that production of electric vehicles remains an emerging industry.
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