Joint position concerning electric mobility
Joint position of the
BDEW
Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft
(German Energy and Water Industry Association)
VDA
(German Association of the Automotive Industry)
ZVEI
(German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association)
concerning electric mobility
Introduction
Mobility is one of the major challenges of this century, and it will remain so in the future. Ever since the wheel was invented, people have dreamed of a means of locomotion almost entirely independent of a person's physical strength.
The buzzword of our era is "electric mobility":
- Driving with a clean source of energy, electricity
- in vehicles propelled by zero-emission electric motors
- using a rechargeable battery for storing the drive power
Three factors are currently causing a major change in the way people view traditional means of locomotion:
- Technological advances in energy storage are making electric vehicles possible that could not have been created just a few years ago
- The debate concerning predicted changes to the global climate is requiring all sectors to cut CO2 emissions. Even with today's energy mix, electric vehicles offer substantially higher efficiency. In addition, they can provide mobility without generating any emissions.
- The energy supply can be made far more secure by being put on a broad foundation, which would reduce our dependency on crude oil. In addition, the world's reserves of fossil fuels are finite.
Teaming up to promote electric mobility
The BDEW as an energy industry association, the VDA as a representative of the automotive industry (manufacturers and suppliers), and the ZVEI as a manufacturers' association for all of the key components used in electric vehicles and electric infrastructures are aware of their responsibility to a world that is dependent on mobility and that must offer a livable environment to the children of future generations. In addition, the German government has instituted measures aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and conserving resources in all sectors of the economy. The three associations are committed to supporting these measures.
A number of political, regulatory, technological, and infrastructure prerequisites have to be in place before there can be a widespread introduction of electric vehicles. To create these conditions, governments, industry and energy companies will have to work hand in hand.
This position paper assesses the strategies and concepts that currently are a focus of public debate. It contains recommendations and proposed solutions, with the latter taking into account technologically and economically feasible parameters for the use of advanced electric vehicles.
Realistic expectations with regard to electric mobility
Despite the many benefits and advantages offered by electric mobility, people should not have exaggerated expectations with respect to its implementation, which is just beginning. Media reports sometimes give the impression that millions of electric-only vehicles will hit the road in the near future. The industry's capabilities are demonstrated by Europe's first series-produced electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which have been announced for 2010 and 2011, respectively. The first electric vehicles with a combustion engine range extender will probably become available in 2011 as well. Before newly developed electric vehicles can actually be mass-produced, however, the lithium-ion battery in particular first has to show it can perform well in everyday use.
Based on what we know today, gasoline and diesel engines will have to ensure our mobility during a long transition period. The hydrogen-powered vehicle will also have a role to play over the long-term. The reasons for this are that electric-only vehicles have a comparatively short range compared to today's automobiles and that the vehicle battery is very costly. It is also very likely that there will be sacrifices in terms of convenience (e.g. long charging times). Although battery costs will probably decline over time, the batteries will remain an important cost factor even for the long-term. The success of electric mobility will depend on the properties, quality, and cost of the battery. What's more, the needed customer-focused infrastructure still must be created.
Electric mobility improves the transportation sector's CO2 balance - traction current is "green"
Electric mobility will substantially improve the transportation sector's CO2 balance over the long-term. Electric vehicles are extremely efficient and generally do not emit any CO2 during operation. To make sure this is also the case for the entire energy chain, the power for electric mobility must be generated in an environmentally friendly and climate-compatible manner. For this purpose, power companies will generally offer tariffs for electricity solely from renewable sources of energy. The tariffs charged for this energy will depend on the time of day when the batteries are charged and the magnitude of the charging current. The tariffs should not be higher than comparable ones for domestic current. Although the tariffs will not incorporate the simultaneous in-feed and consumption of electricity, the annual balance will guarantee that only electricity from renewable sources was used.
Customers must have the choice of deciding from which utility they get their electricity. The work required by the vehicle operator also has to be considered. As with other applications, electric vehicles should be able to use domestic current in the first phase of market launch. Once all power companies have tested the technology for controlling and conducting the battery charging process, it must be incorporated into new vehicles.
Promote international standardization
In the area of electric mobility, all components required for electric driving must be standardized. Comprehensive standards and norms have to be created to ensure the vehicles can be easily connected to the power network in order to recharge the energy storage system. The goal must be to establish Europe-wide standards, and if, possible, worldwide ones. Initial successes have been achieved in this regard, but further progress is needed.
Controlled charging of vehicle batteries would be beneficial
If possible, the vehicle battery should be chargeable at the grid in a controlled manner (intelligent charging management) in order to prevent peak loads for the power networks. Intensive preparations are already underway to create the required communication, control, and billing system so that there will be little need to expand the distribution network (especially for low voltage) and increase the number of power plants.
The electrical equipment in the buildings has to be adapted to the expected increase in energy consumption for electric vehicles, however. Depending on the output or amount of electric energy to be supplied, this energy transport can have a big impact on the main power supply system of existing buildings. This is particularly the case when energy has to be provided for quick charging of batteries.
At a later date, the battery can also be used to feed energy back into the grid whenever the price for control energy or balancing energy is particularly high. This will require the next generation of lithium-ion batteries to be designed in such a way that this kind of operation has no effect on the energy storage systems' service life. As a final requirement, drivers must be able to control the charging process in line with their wishes. Many technological issues still have to be resolved until then, as it is crucial to ensure there will not be negative effects on the battery or the power grid. Initial efforts are now underway to solve these difficulties. Once this has been accomplished, it will improve the integration of renewable sources of energy into the power supply system. Vehicle batteries might one day be able to serve as bi-directional energy storage devices that will compensate for fluctuations in wind energy, for example.
No additional taxes on electricity for electric vehicles
Unlike domestic current, traction current must not be subject to additional taxes or fees. This is the only way that the high purchase costs of an electric vehicle can be approximately amortized during the automobile's service life. From today's perspective, electric-only vehicles will primarily be used for short distances in the near future. The vehicles could also be of interest to commuters, provided the batteries can be recharged at the work location. The future development will greatly depend on the cost of the battery, the availability of a comprehensive mobility concept, and possibilities for quickly charging or replacing batteries. Without knowing the results of current studies (the initiative "Elektrofahrzeuge intelligent am Netz, ELAN 2020"), it is virtually impossible to make reliable statements concerning technological trends that may emerge.
Electric mobility needs to be temporarily subsidized
Legislators should support electric mobility in various ways:
- Provide subsidies (short- and medium-term)
- Ensure that nothing analogous to the fuel tax will be imposed on the traction current
- Create a model for providing temporary support for the market launch of electric vehicles (e.g. bonuses / tax breaks for the purchase of electric vehicles, elimination of taxes, user benefits in urban areas, etc.).
For the long term, however, electric mobility will have to do without subsidies.
Joint platform for electric mobility in Germany
Four German government ministries - the Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS), the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), and the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - are currently working together and coordinating activities related to electric mobility. We think it helpful and necessary that the public authorities coordinate their activities with industry at an early stage, which is why the government should create a joint platform with the associations and companies of the automotive industry, the energy supply sector, the chemicals industry, the battery manufacturers, and the electrotechnical industry. This platform should soon be organized by a center jointly managed by the associations, companies, and ministries. We recommend that the German federal government appoint a high-ranking official with responsibility for electric mobility.
The aim of the various efforts will be to provide Germany with a leading position in the future electric mobility market.
Conclusion
Electric mobility is a shared responsibility of the participating industries, scientific institutes, and government agencies. The BDEW, VDA, and ZVEI are convinced that electric mobility, as part of the entire range of future drive concepts, will make a useful and important contribution toward ensuring sustainable mobility for meeting the needs of the future. To this end, a comprehensive mobility concept will be required.
Since customers will decide whether this new drive system will be a success, it should be made as appealing and easy to use as possible. Much research and development is still needed before this goal can be attained. In addition, the government must create reliable framework conditions.
Government support for researching electrical energy storage systems can turn Germany into a center for energy storage innovations and strengthen the country's industrial basis for this future-oriented technology. These opportunities should be fully exploited not only by the participating industries, but also by government agencies and scientific institutions.
Our long-term objective is to offer customers cars that combine the benefits of electric mobility with the advantages and comfort of today's automobiles. With this goal in mind, we will promote the international standardization of components. In addition to creating a joint platform with the ministries and a national electric mobility development plan, Germany's government must provide a secure, long-term outlook for electric mobility.
The mobility of the future must be affordable, effective, and sustainable. We are confident that we can successfully master this shared challenge.
Berlin/Frankfurt am Main, June 2009
BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V.
Reinhardtstraße 32
10117 Berlin, Germany
www.bdew.de
Verband der Automobilindustrie e. V. (VDA)
Westendstraße 61
60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
www.vda.de
ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.
Lyoner Straße 9
60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
www.zvei.org