Areas of action

From an environmental point of view, electromobility offers great potential, especially for reducing CO2 emissions. However, some environmental impacts (especially those caused by production) and resource requirements still present challenges. The results of our work have led in particular to the following fields of action in politics and business (please click for more details):

• Improvement of vehicle energy efficiency

  In the medium term, incentives should be created to increase the energy efficiency of electric vehicles, as here too there is relevant potential for improvement and they will not necessarily be operated with predominantly renewable electricity in the foreseeable future, the generation capacities of which are still limited today.

• energy- and resource-efficient product design

  The longevity of components for electromobility, and here primarily the longevity of batteries, should also come more into focus from the point of view of resources. This reduces the necessary use of materials per vehicle kilometre and the associated environmental impacts. In addition, the use of environmentally friendly materials should be preferred. (see certification), which can also be recycled as economically as possible and with low loss rates (see recycling management).

• Circular economy

  In order to facilitate the most specific and high-quality recycling possible, it is necessary to have adapted and, if necessary, special take-back systems both for individual electro-specific components and for the entire electric vehicle. To this end, the testing of a disposal system should be promoted that takes account of disposal technology, disposal logistics and monitoring.

• Certification of environmentally-friendly supply chains

  Both the state, the producers and the users bear a responsibility for the production of the raw materials used. This also applies to electric vehicles. The introduction of certification systems can help to avoid undesirable environmental and social impacts.

• Transition of the energy sector ("Energiewende")

  The provision of electricity is the most important lever for improving the climate gas balance of electric vehicles. In addition to a comprehensive structural reform of emissions trading, a further expansion of renewable energy generation in the amount of electricity required by electric vehicles is necessary to ensure a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Germany and in the transport sector.

Details

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 March 2017 14:54