Brussels, 07/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 January, the College of European Commissioners will discuss the issue of clean fuels, at a policy debate. Car manufacturers are calling for greater clarity on e-mobility.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has expressed its regret that the potential of electric cars was not being fully exploited to help make mobility more sustainable. This has been caused by a lack of progress on recharging standards, poor support for research and development and an ill-defined infrastructure perspective, in addition to badly co-ordinated commercial incentives.
ACEA Secretary General Ivan Hodac is therefore appealing for conditions to be created that would allow the e-mobility market to take off: “it will only be possible to book real progress if there is full cooperation between utility providers, infrastructure companies, the energy sector, standardisation bodies and the automotive industry - with the full support of national governments and the European institutions”. Car manufacturers have highlighted the need to standardise the connection between the electricity grid and chargeable electric vehicles and the need for a single harmonised plug system for the charging of electric vehicles on both the vehicle and the infrastructure sides. This would provide predictability to investors, enable economies of scale, reduce costs for all stakeholders and increase user acceptance. The industry has already agreed on a proposal on a Europe-wide common charging system. (MD/transl.fl)