This module assesses whether the company is actively developing business models for a low-carbon future, and is participating in business activities that reduce structural barriers to market penetration of advanced vehicles; is actively developing business models for a low-carbon future, in participating in business activities associated with modal shifts and other activities such as car sharing; and is actively developing business models for a low-carbon future and participating in business activities to build vehicle types required by modal shifts in mobility.

The majority of companies assessed have explored alternative business models, however only a few are succeeding in bringing these business models to a mature state. The analysis looked for signs that the business activity is profitable, of a substantial size, and that the company has plans to expand the activity in question over a defined timescale. This level of detail was lacking for the majority of the companies, raising concerns that these business models are not given due consideration in terms of broader business strategy.

Most of the more evolved examples identified related to business activities that reduce structural barriers to market penetration of advanced vehicles. Positive examples of projects reducing structural barriers to market penetration of advanced vehicles include:

  • Tesla’s renewable energy generation and storage products for homeowners, businesses and utilities – facilitating a low-carbon energy ecosystem extending beyond electric vehicle charging;
  • BAIC’s ‘Optimus’ Initiative for photovoltaic battery charge and swap stations;
  • Honda, Nissan and Toyota’s ‘Japan H2 Mobility’ joint initiative (with other non-automotive manufacturers and the Development Bank of Japan) to accelerate the construction of fuel cell electric vehicle fuelling stations.

More than half of the companies assessed showed examples of car sharing, car-pooling and/or other vehicle-as-a-service activities. There were interesting examples of activities related to the design and manufacture of vehicles that could facilitate modal transport shift, such as Tata Motors’ electric buses.

Ranking overview

1 Volkswagen AG
Total score 1.2 /1.8
Business Model 1.2 /1.8
2 Ford Motor Company
Total score 0.8 /1.8
Business Model 0.8 /1.8
- Groupe PSA
Total score 0.8 /1.8
Business Model 0.8 /1.8
- Tesla Motors, Inc.
Total score 0.8 /1.8
Business Model 0.8 /1.8
- Toyota Motor Corporation
Total score 0.8 /1.8
Business Model 0.8 /1.8
6 General Motors Company
Total score 0.7 /1.8
Business Model 0.7 /1.8
- Hyundai Motor Co
Total score 0.7 /1.8
Business Model 0.7 /1.8
- Tata Motors
Total score 0.7 /1.8
Business Model 0.7 /1.8
9 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV
Total score 0.6 /1.8
Business Model 0.6 /1.8
- Honda Motor Company
Total score 0.6 /1.8
Business Model 0.6 /1.8
11 BMW AG
Total score 0.5 /1.8
Business Model 0.5 /1.8
- Daimler AG
Total score 0.5 /1.8
Business Model 0.5 /1.8
13 Mazda Motor Corporation
Total score 0.4 /1.8
Business Model 0.4 /1.8
14 BAIC Motor Corporation Ltd (北京汽车股份有限公司)
Total score 0.3 /1.8
Business Model 0.3 /1.8
- Chongqing Changan Automobile Company Ltd. (重庆长安汽车股份有限公司|长安汽车 )
Total score 0.3 /1.8
Business Model 0.3 /1.8
- Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (吉利汽车控股有限公司)
Total score 0.3 /1.8
Business Model 0.3 /1.8
- Renault
Total score 0.3 /1.8
Business Model 0.3 /1.8
18 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Total score 0.2 /1.8
Business Model 0.2 /1.8
19 FAW Car Company Limited (一汽轿车股份有限公司)
Total score 0.1 /1.8
Business Model 0.1 /1.8
- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Total score 0.1 /1.8
Business Model 0.1 /1.8
- SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (上海汽车集团股份有限公司|上汽集团)
Total score 0.1 /1.8
Business Model 0.1 /1.8
- Suzuki Motor Corporation
Total score 0.1 /1.8
Business Model 0.1 /1.8
23 Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd (东风汽车股份有限公司|东风汽车)
Total score 0.0 /1.8
Business Model 0.0 /1.8
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd (广州汽车集团有限公司|广汽集团)
Total score 0.0 /1.8
Business Model 0.0 /1.8
- Subaru Corporation
Total score 0.0 /1.8
Business Model 0.0 /1.8