The study carried out by the consultant CE Delft, commissioned by Greenpeace, Transport & Environment (T&E), Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF Germany, concludes that the electric vehicle could be an opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions in Europe if its commercial development is accompanied by real energy policy in favour of renewable energy.
As far as the NGOs that commissioned the report are concerned, the electric vehicle (EV) offers many advantages, such as energy efficiency and improved air quality, but its development must necessarily be accompanied by a European and intergovernmental legislative framework aiming to regulate the production of green energy.
The potential roll out of a European electric market by 2020 is analysed in terms of two components: the environmental impact of the electrification of the transport sector and the energy policies that are recommended to reduce CO2 emissions.
A booming electric market
Based on various studies carried out on the EV in Europe, three scenarios were developed to consider the electric market (electric and hybrid vehicles) in 2020.
According to these scenarios, the electric vehicle will represent 0.4% to 40% of the car market. That’s between 500,000 and 25 million electric vehicles in use.
The study also shows that the energy demand for electricity will remain weak, increasing by only 3% of current consumption in Europe, according to the most optimistic scenario.
Creating a legislative framework for green energy
In conclusion, the study insists on the necessity of developing European governmental policies in favour of renewable energy.
Various solutions are mentioned, one of which involves the implementation of an electric energy-sharing policy between different European countries.
Finally, with sights on strong CO2 emissions regulation, the report recommends implementing a legislative framework that would facilitate carbon-free energy production and encourage people to calculate their CO2 consumption.
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