By the end of 2013, nearly 400,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) will be driving on roads around the world. Consumers will be able to choose from a greatly enhanced selection of models in an expanding number of vehicle segments.

In order to analyze the impacts of these and other key issues facing the EV industry, Pike Research has prepared a freewhite paper that makes 10 predictions about the continuing evolution of the market in 2013 and beyond.

Pike notes that if 2012 was the year when the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) industry shifted from neutral to first gear, then the industry will be racing ahead in second gear in 2013. As predicted last year, during 2012 the doubts about the long-term viability of the PEV market were put to rest.

Sales of PEVs in 2013 will continue to outpace the first years of hybrid vehicle sales as more than 210,000 PEVs will be sold globally and more than three dozen PEV models will debut. Consumers will have a much greater variety in vehicle types and in all-electric range, while consumer familiarity with the capabilities of the segment will also greatly increase.

California will continue to drive PEV sales in the United States as purchases will expand into smaller urban and suburban regions with more dealers beginning to offer the vehicles. In China, the PEV market will begin to reap the benefits of the many international automotive jointventures (JVs) that have developed during prior years.

The industry will not be without its casualties and consolidation as several startup electric vehicle (EV) companies are likely to be absorbed or discontinue operations during the year.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which is now accessible in many large cities in the developed world, provides a baseline of public charging to pacify anxious EV drivers and will be more frequently utilized in 2013. Increasingly detailed analytics about PEV sales and charging habits will be the basis for identifying the most suitable locations for public EV charging.

This data will begin to offer value to vehicle manufacturers and utilities as the percentage of PEV sales in some cities will approach double digits.

Across the globe, government incentives for PEV manufacturing and charging infrastructure will trail off as many governments will not be able to justify funding incentives while they continue to cope with austerity measures. This reduction in government participation has led to lowered expectations for 2013 and beyond, which the industry is using as the basis for its decisions.

More realistic goals will lead to greater satisfaction and a healthier and more mature industry. Pike Research identifies 10 influential trends that will propel the EV industry forward in 2013.

In brief, without giving away the details, here are the 10 Predictions for 2013 from Pike Research:

1.Capital Veers from Vehicles to Battery Components
2.System Integration Puts Electric Bikes on the Map
3.48-Volt Batteries Put a Charge into Stop-Start Systems
4.More than 3,400 Fuel Cell Vehicles Hit the Road
5.Battery Swapping Gives Way to Battery Financing
6.Germany Leads Europe’s PEV Growth
7.Coasting Technology Pushes Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles Closer to hybrids
8.Slow versus Fast Charging Debate Intensifies
9.Europe Enables Driving Without Borders
10.The Natural Gas Glut Will Tamper Interest in Plug-in Electric Trucks