EEA says EVs can play key role in cutting carbon but collaboration with power sector needed
Thu 13 October 2016
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The European Environment Agency says that electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources can play an important role in EU plans to decarbonise the transport system but will result in extra energy demand which will shift CO2 and polluting emissions away from transport and to the power generation sector.
The report says that the growth in electric vehicle use will result in extra energy demand in the European Union (EU-28). Europe's total electricity consumption by electric vehicles will increase from approximately 0.03 % in 2014 to 9.5 % in 2050.
The report goes on to say that these developments will, though, produce an overall net benefit in terms of lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the air pollutants nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). However, it could result in an an overall increase in sulphur dioxide (SO2) due to emissions from the electricity-generating sector.
Hans Bruyninckx, EEA's executive director (reported by Edie) said: “Electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources can play a bridging role in the EU’s plans to move towards a greener, more sustainable transport system, and in meeting its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80‒95% by 2050.”
The EEA research modelled a scenario when electric cars have an 80% share of the EU fleet in 2050. That would bring a net reduction of 255 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2050, or about 10% of the estimated total emissions of the year.
A larger number of electric cars will increase electricity consumption, raising their share from 0.03% in 2014, to 9.5% by 2050 under the 80% scenario.
The EEA said that it would be crucial for the road transport and energy sectors to work closer together to manage the additional stress on the grid, and ensure policy and investment decisions are coordinated.
There are several initiatives in the UK which have been set up to manage this change including Smart EV, Electric Nation and the EV Network Group, facilitated by the LowCVP.
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