For electric vehicle makers, profitability is more trickle charge than rapid charge

Automakers are investing heavily in electric vehicles (EV), but when will it pay off? Ford made headlines in 2018 when it announced US$11bn would be put towards various electrification efforts, and Volkswagen has said it intends to invest US$33bn by 2023. Most of their competitors are making similarly hefty financial commitments to e-mobility, especially those few brands dedicated solely to EVs. The likes of Tesla and China's Nio have put everything into pursuing the electric dream. So far, however, there has been little payback.