Triggering the development of electric mobility: A review of public policies

Abstract

Context The fundamental challenge of a massive deployment of electric mobility is the reduction of transportation's impact on climate. Hereby derived challenges specifically concern: (a) the organization of mobility together with the uptake of recharge infrastructure, (b) the interaction of the electric mobility system with the electricity net, hereby considering the energy storage function of batteries, (c) the technological progress and the industrial production of vehicles and various components. Overall, these stakes involve the community more than the individual vehicle user. Objective This paper analyses public policies and projects in favour of electric mobility based on private or shared vehicle usage. An international review of national policies and regional projects is given. The conditions for availability and attractiveness of an electric mobility system to potential users are discussed, notably so with respect to the deployment of the recharging infrastructure and its adequacy to existing land-use patterns. Conclusion Current policy approaches supporting the uptake of electric mobility are promising. For the time being, however, the complexity of the electromobility system impedes a valid conclusion on the effectiveness of measures put in place. Besides public policy intervention mainly also economic, technical and industrial factors will define the success of e-mobility. Upcoming years will allow first ex-post policy analyses. © 2011 The Author(s).