Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant attention over the last few years as various European governments have begun promoting the deployment of EV charging infrastructures. There are strong indicators that the EV market will take off in an unprecedented way.
While Europe has the potential to lead the shift towards the electrification of transportation, energy emerges as one of its greatest challenges. Germany’s recent decision to back off from nuclear, the rising prices and increasing dependence on energy imports, all jeopardise European security and competitiveness. Key decisions must be taken to drastically reduce emissions and fight climate change. Europe needs to coordinate its efforts, and the completion of a truly integrated internal electric market is a priority. Energy must be provided through a pan-European infrastructure similar to the service provided by other well-established sectors of public interest, such as telecommunications and transport. The securing of energy supplies at affordable prices is crucial for Europe’s growth, would increase jobs and at the same time contribute to elevating its citizens’ quality of life.
Europe needs to coordinate its efforts, and the completion of a truly integrated internal electric market is a priority.
One of the greatest opportunities for the future development of Europe’s energy is moving towards a smart grid, and here EVs could play a meaningful role. They can also play an important role in reducing health problems resulting from the transportation and use of fossil fuels, and in reducing the cost of tackling these problems.
As part of this shift, it is important to acknowledge the strategic importance of a unified European approach to the relevant standardisation issues. Much progress has already been made on this front, but some key issues are still to be pushed forward. Some of the most urgent topics include the need to agree on one common connector for each category of vehicles throughout Europe; recognition of the need for system management service providers, that will both help better manage the grid and reduce the current massive waste of energy; and assurance that the most advanced safety measures will be used to ensure that drivers are not put in danger.
The shift towards EVs should not be perceived as a threat to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, but a real opportunity for Europe to lead innovation in several industries.
In this respect, the penetration of EVs is not only a unique opportunity to bring intelligent transport technologies to a new level, but also an opportunity to leverage vehicle connectivity to save energy and improve road safety. Thus, the shift towards EVs should not be perceived as a threat to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, but a real opportunity for Europe to lead innovation in several industries. EVs are a multi-disciplinary product and only standardisation, which addresses the whole supply chain, can make a real impact on both the transport and energy ecosystems.
What has already been undertaken to date goes in the right direction, but more needs to be done, more quickly, decisively and concretely before being perceived as too little too late. A diversity of solutions to extend the range of vehicles, such as battery switching, inductive charging or others, should be allowed to flourish.
2012 will serve as an important test of the commercial viability of the new generation of electric vehicles. Let’s not miss this opportunity – there is no time to waste if we are to ensure a brighter future and a better place for our children.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Automotive World Ltd.
Ziva Patir is Vice-President of International Standardization at Better Place. She is also former ISO Vice-President and former Director-General of the ISO member for Israel, Member of the Focus group on “European Electro-Mobility” of CEN-CENELEC.
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