Summary of the Electric Vehicles Discussion Paper
published by the Spanish EU Presidency

The Electric Vehicles Discussion Paper of the Spanish EU Presidency addresses the following main issues:

• Vehicle and component production, noting that the skills needed for designing and producing EVs are scarce in Europe.
   
• Charging infrastructure and electrical power system, noting that the creation of public charging points will also be important for consumer acceptance.
   
• Markets and consumer uptake, noting that state incentives, both financial and convenience ones (e.g. establishment of low emission zones, free parking spaces, free charging and dedicated highway lanes) are essential for successful EV introduction.
   
• Industrial structure, business development and enterprise models, noting that EVs will require substantial investments, which will bring business opportunities but may also undermine the position of others agents.
   
• Global competition and competitiveness, noting that countries like the U.S., China, Japan and Israel are well advanced in planning the roll-out of battery-powered vehicles. The adoption of standards and international technical harmonisation are necessary to reduce barriers to trade.
   
• Safety, placing on the market, standardisation and legal certainty, noting that a robust legal framework should be put in place to ensure that EVs fulfil stringent health and safety requirements.
   
• Energy and environmental dimension, noting that EV performance need to be thoroughly analysed on a well-to-wheel basis. Regulators need to establish a c1ear methodology for including such vehicle in their legislation in a way that encourages the placing of new technologies on the market. 

The paper also identifies areas of action and European value added, noting that European rules and guidelines are necessary to ensure consistency between member states regarding financial measures and non-financial incentives promoting the take-up of EVs.

Download this discussion paper (.pdf 1MB)