Austrian Electric Vehicle Initiative - Basics of an Austrian road map for the large scale introduction of electric vehicles
Overview
Background & policy context:
As of 2009 the Austrian transport sector had an energy demand of about 100 TWh/a (350 PJ/a, with approximately 38 % due to passenger vehicles) and contributed about 26 % or 23 Mio tCO2e to Austria’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This represents an increase of 60 % since 1990. In addition to GHG emissions, local pollutants (e.g. fine particles) produced by internal combustion engines cause problems. Electric mobility is regarded as one option to reduce local pollutants (fine particles) and to improve the GHG balance of the transport sector. However, high expectations regarding a short-term market introduction of electric vehicles face challenges resulting from technology and infrastructure development needs, costs, and in achieving cooperation among the market interests of the actors involved. As in the EU and worldwide, Austria is in the process of developing a road map for large scale introduction of electric vehicles. This road map is to define the steps required for implementation, including how to coordinate activities among stakeholders.
Objectives:
The objective of the study is to provide basic information for the development of an Austrian road map for the large scale introduction of electric vehicles. Electric vehicles in this study comprise all road transport vehicles that can be driven at least for short distances purely on electric power. These include battery electric vehicles (battery and electric engine) and plugin- hybrid vehicles (battery, electric and internal combustion engine).
Methodology:
Today’s state of technology of batteries, electric vehicles and renewable electricity generation are described and their development prospects assessed. Based on this information, an economic analysis is undertaken in which the costs of transportation via electric vehicles are compared to those of vehicles with gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines. Future cost developments are taken into consideration in this analysis. Life cycle analysis is used to compare the GHG emissions and accumulated primary energy demand of electric and fossil fuel vehicles. The impacts of a range of electric power generation technologies and future technology developments on the results are assessed. A model was developed to provide information on the GHG emissions and additional electricity and electrical power demand attendant on large-scale introduction of electric vehicles with various user groups and alternative market success assumptions. Finally, a compendium of demonstration projects was developed based on current Austrian and worldwide activities and reports of experience with electric vehicle fleets.
These findings provide the basis for development of an Austrian road map for electric vehicles grounded on current understanding of the challenges to introduction of electric vehicles. Regular meetings were held throughout the project with an advisory committee composed of industry representatives from Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, Verbund AG und Platingtech GmbH to discuss assumptions, procedures and findings.
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