Contribution to the consultation for a European strategy on Clean and Energy-efficient Vehicles

Following last month's announcement by the Spanish EU presidency of its intention to boost the Electric Vehicles industry in Europe (read our press release), DG-Enterprise and Industry organised in March 2010 a consultation for a European strategy on Clean and Energy-efficient Vehicles, in view of drafting a European Commission’s Communication and possibly of reviewing the vision agreed in the CARS 21 mid-term review (more on the Europa website).

Going-Electric presented its views at the public hearing on March 11 (download our presentation - pdf 111kB) and submitted on March 15 a written contribution providing innovative answers to most of the questions raised by the Commission (download our written contribution - pdf 1MB).
 

Abstract of Going-Electric's contribution

Question 1: Should the vision agreed in the CARS 21 mid-term review be now adjusted? (i.e. 2020 perspective of improved combustion engine’s market dominance combined with growing market penetration of electric and hydrogen vehicles and hybridisation conceived as the bridging technology and 2050 perspective of transport decarbonisation)

The vision agreed in the CARS 21 mid-term review should now be adjusted to take into account that future car market will essentially consist in a mix of small and ultra-small Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) for short trips (such as daily commuting and urban trips), and of large Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) for long distance travel (such as intercity trips and holidays).

Initial EV market penetration is unpredictable since it depends on the level of initial incentives that government will offer to early EV buyers. However, it is likely that once EVs become accepted by consumers, EV market will rapidly boom to a near 100% of all passenger cars.

Read our full answer to Question 1

Question 2.1: What is the potential of different clean automotive propulsion technologies (improved fuel efficiency, hybridisation and alternative powertrains) for contributing to decarbonisation objective in the short, medium and long term?

1. It is essential to realize that about 80% of daily car usage is for short trips (shorter than 60km), mainly in slow traffic with only one occupant.
    
2. Well-to-Wheels, lithium BEVs are intrinsically far cleaner and more energy-efficient than equivalent petrol vehicles.
    
3. Small and ultra-light electric vehicles, such as electric scooters, motorcycles, quadricycles and “Ultra-Narrow Urban electric Cars”, can be up to twice as clean and energy-efficient as full size electric vehicles.
    
4. For cars having to cover long distances, the best solution is EREVs, which are nearly as clean and energy-efficient as BEVs.
    
5. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) are about as clean and energy-efficient as BEVs, but they are not quite ready to enter the market: more research is needed.
   Fuel cells may also have a large market in the power generation sector.
    
6. Hydrogen powered Internal Combustion Vehicles (ICVs) are far less energy-efficient than petrol powered ICVs.

Read our full answer to Question 2.1

Question 2.2: What is the decarbonisation potential of the complementary measures in the short, medium and long term (e.g. guidelines on eco-driving, application of Intelligent Transport Systems) and how reliable are these potentials?

No input.

Question 3: What are the implications of new propulsion technologies in a lifecycle analysis perspective as regards vehicles, and in a well-to-wheel perspective as regards energy supply chains?
What are the resource implications in introducing innovative propulsion technologies?

No input.

Question 4.1: What are the state of play and the future scenarios of technological developments in alternative powertrains (electric and hydrogen) and their market penetration?

1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) are still in an experimental development stage. Market penetration may only happen in a distant future.
    
2. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is an old technology, mature enough for a large penetration of the urban and commuter’s car market.
    
3. Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) technology is rather simple. It is mature enough for a large penetration of the long-range vehicle and family car markets.
    
4. EVs are now too expensive because of low production volumes. Initial EV market penetration will be slow and hard to predict because it depends on governmental purchase incentives, which are unpredictable. But once EVs have gained public acceptance, they are likely to rapidly conquest most of the passenger car markets.

Read our full answer to Question 4.1

Question 4.2: What are major risks and opportunities associated for different stakeholders?

Automotive companies that early develop EVs and their parts will reap the benefit of this growing market. Others risk of becoming laggards and loosing market shares.

Read our full answer to Question 4.2

Question 4.3: What will be the economic, societal, employment and environmental impacts brought by these developments?

No input.

Question 5: How can a trade-off situation be avoided where electrifying the power train would reduce or reverse improvements made in conventional technologies in the framework of existing and upcoming legislation on the CO2 emissions of road vehicles?

EV technology has far more potential of reducing emissions and energy consumption than ICV technology. Since it is sufficiently mature for wide market penetration, it is likely to conquest car markets in the medium future.

Therefore, the reverse question would be more appropriate. And the answer would be to avoid the trade-off and concentrate all available efforts and money in EV technology, in order to gain competitive advantages and ensure a bright future for the EU automotive industry.

Read our full answer to Question 5

Question 6: What actions should be best taken at regional/ national /European or international level to promote technology development and market uptake of alternative powertrains (electric and hydrogen)?

1. Governments should temporarily offer a mix of financial and non-financial incentives to early EV buyers in order to enable market penetration until EV prices become competitive.
    
2. Governments should make it possible for EV owners to charge next to where they live. It is essential that charging on local standard plugs remains possible.
    
3. EU car, battery and equipment manufacturers should be offered financial incentives to further develop electric vehicle technology and invest in production plants.
    
4. Ultra-small vehicles should be promoted for urban usage.
   New EU categories of vehicle homologation should be created for ultra-small urban electric cars. Safety regulations should also address the impact of a crash onto other vehicles.

Read our full answer to Question 6

Download Going-Electric's contribution in full (pdf 1MB)