Renewables in transport 2050 – Empowering a sustainable mobility future with zero emission fuels

Abstract

European and German greenhouse gas reduction targets of 80-95% by 2050 will require substantial contributions from the transport sector. As part of its main goal to reduce emissions of engines and turbines for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and society in general, the Research Association for Combustion Engines (FVV) has commissioned this study in order to develop, model, and assess scenarios assuming 100% renewable energy in transport by 2050. The analyses cover their feasibility as well as the resulting consequences for current developments and future use of combustion engines in transport. The study focuses on energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions, looking at fuels and their use ‘well-to-tank’ (i.e. excluding the combustion process itself). Three fuel and powertrain scenarios – one centred on synthetic fuels, another one on electric mobility, and a third one including a balanced mix of approaches – were defined and then modelled with two distinct transportation demand scenarios («HIGH», «LOW») for Germany and the EU-28.