This study focuses on the analysis of experiences with electric vehicles within several single projects of the model regions programme, part 1. Main issues are terms of energy-related parameters and the comparison with conventional vehicles (differentiated according to vehicles segments). There are various methods of estimating the carbon footprint of electric vehicles in literature. In short-time considerations their results scatter, but perspectively at middle- and long-time considerations they converge. The present study respects three variations of calculating the climate-relevant emissions: a) If electric vehicles are operated from renewable energy sources, their carbon footprint is significant better than fossil fuel cars. When, how and on what conditions (proof of origin) a direct correlation of the "driving-energy" to a power generation from renewable energies is possible, is currently in discussion. b) Under pragmatic aspects the "energy-mix-method" offers a good guide to a climate-related assessment of electric vehicles. Due to the planned growth of the ratio of renewable energies in the electricity mix according to the time-axis, this leads, in times where a significant penetration supply of electric vehicles is expected, to a serious improvement of specific CO2-emissions compared to today. So electric vehicles might have benefits in contrast to vehicles with internal combustion engines. c) If one takes the merit order rule as a basis for the economic power plant operation and considers the power consumption of electric vehicles as an „additional“ consumption compared to a state without electric vehicles, the carbon footprint is not that convenient anymore.
Karl Otto Schallaböck, Rike Carpantier, Manfred Fischedick, Michael Ritthoff, Georg Wilke
Modellregionen Elektromobilität
Umweltbegleitforschung Elektromobilität
Wuppertal, 2012
(Wuppertal Report no. 6)