It will probably surprise no one to learn that California is the global leader in EV technology. A new report from the nonprofit research organization Next 10 spells it out in figures.

It will probably surprise no one to learn that California is the global leader in EV technology. A new report from the nonprofit research organization Next 10 spells it out in figures.

• California scored $467 million in EV-related venture capital investment in the first half of 2011, which represents 69 percent of the global total.
   
• EV investment in the Golden State has grown 712 percent since 2006, with Silicon Valley and Orange County leading the way.
   
• California ranks first in the US in total number of electric and hybrid vehicles.
   
• California and Michigan are tied for the top rank in number of EV technology patents – each generated 300 patents from 2008-2010. 86 percent of the patents are for battery technology.

At a time when other state governments seem intent on “taking the country back” to horses and buggies, California is accelerating into the future of transportation, with tough new emissions standards and generous incentives for high-tech investment. It seems to be paying off for the job market. From January 2009 to 2010, the number of EV-related jobs in California grew by four percent, even as total employment in the state dropped seven percent.

"California is fast becoming the world's advanced car capital – our entrepreneurs, savvy consumers, research institutions and our market-driving policies are creating a perfect storm for continued growth," said F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10.

Image: scazon