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September 09. 2014 12:01AM Electric vehicles rev up Saturday's Southern Oregon Electric and Hybrid Car Show at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum offered a glimpse into what should be bright future for the electric vehicle industry in Southern Oregon. All the components appear to be in place for growth here, and that should mean more good jobs, which the Rogue Valley economy desperately needs. Topping the list is Brammo, the Talent-based electric motorcycle manufacturer. The company had planned to shift its manufacturing to Europe, to put it closer to that growing market. But international economics changed, and the company now plans to keep building bikes — and its sought-after battery — in Talent, where it now occupies the former Walmart building. That's good news for local jobs. And Brammo isn't the only player in that emerging industry. Alltrax, a Grant Pass company, makes a highly regarded motor controller. Ashland Electric Bikes has its eye on the bicycle market, and Stephen Butanko of Alternair in Ashland is developing an electric airplane. Detractors of electric vehicles point to slow acceptance by American consumers and slumping sales after initial enthusiasm. But the emerging markets for two-wheeled transport are in densely populated Europe, Asia and South America. China is poised to invest billions in charging stations, and will offer a tax exemption to buyers of electric vehicles. The technology is improving, too. Brammo's first motorcycle had a range of 40 miles; it's now 140. All this points to a surge in electric vehicles across the world, and that means jobs right here in the Rogue Valley.  http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20140909/OPINION/140909918 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->