Contrary to the trends in most other sectors, greenhouse gas emissions of the transport sector are still increasing, and are predicted to grow further in the coming years, at current policies. As there is no simple solution to the challenge of achieving significant CO2 reductions in transport, it has become clear that a large range of efficient and effective CO2 reduction measures will have to be taken.
In the coming decades, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could play a significant role in this move towards sustainable transport. If these vehicles run on renewable electricity, they could substantially cut CO2 emissions and improve local air quality. Electric vehicles might even help to make the electricity sector more sustainable, if the batteries in the vehicles could be used to manage the variable output of an increasing share of wind and solar-based power generation. However, the extent to which these advantages can be harvested under current policies is open to question.
T&E, Friends of the Earth Europe and Greenpeace European Unit have therefore jointly commissioned this study to look into how the full potential of electric cars can be realised. The study aims to analyse the potential impact of the electrification of road transport on EU power production and to develop policy recommendations to ensure that this development will lead to the growth of renewable electricity in Europe.