Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles are the keys to a sustainable mobility

The electric vehicle of today has evolved into a reliable and marketable product. The evolution of vehicle technology is ever going forward and the latest developments make electric traction technology suitable for virtually any application in meeting the most critical of todays challenges. We do not receive hearth from our parents, we just borrow it from our children. Indian proverb
Energy security In todays geopolitical context, it is an urgent necessity and a technological challenge to reduce dependence in oil from the current level of 98 % by using alternative fuels and improving the energy efficiency of methods of transport. The hydrogen economy is only planned to start around 2020 at the earliest and to be established amount 2050. Fortunately, much of the common electric drives technology preparing a future shared with a hydrogen economy is already in development today. Studies shows that electric cars, vans or small lories, respectively consume 54%, 47% and 52% of the primary energy needed by internal combustion vehicles. It is clear that electric vehicles are much more energy efficient. This advantage will even increase when it will be possible to recharge vehicles by connecting them directly to electricity production sources with a total output efficiency exceeding 50% (plants with combined gas/steam cycle, fuel cells, buffer batteries, etc.).

Improve air quality. As stated in the Commission's November 2000 Green Paper on security of supply, in 1998 energy consumption in the transport sector was responsible for 28% of emissions of CO2, the main greenhouse gas. According to the latest estimates the current CO2 emissions from transport can be expected to increase by around 50% to reach 1 113 billion tons in 2010, compared with the 739 million tons recorded in 1990, 84% of which attributed to road transport. EVs produce less than half as much CO 2 as the other drive variants. Moreover, most of inner city movements are very short. So thermal engines remain in general rather cold, which means that emissions are higher and that efficiency is low. Catalyst converters only work properly at a sufficiently high temperature after some kilometres. In brief, low pollution by EVs is due to the higher efficiency of electric plants. Emissions from EVs are located outside the cities and it is easier to control emissions of one electricity plant than to control thousands of vehicles exhaust pipes. Health Most of the air pollution in today's European cities is caused by automotive traffic. Particularly in adverse climatic conditions, traffic generated emissions are degrading air quality up to the point where the physical health of the citizens is directly threatened. Several cities already had already to recur to drastic traffic restrictions. Electric vehicle stands for clean air as it is effectively zero-emission at its point of use.

Mobility and congestion Today's urban traffic is grinding to a halt. Thousands of passenger cars and lorries are stuck in traffic jams which become worse and worse, leading to loss of time and energy, as well as extra pollution. The electric vehicle is ideally suited to be integrated in new traffic management concepts, such as automatic rent-a-car systems and goods distribution centres, which emphasise the complementarily of transport modes and which contribute to the relief of traffic congestion. Cultural Heritage Our European cities have a history of many centuries and can be rightly proud of an unique cultural and architectural heritage. This century however, they have been aggressively invaded by the motor car which through its emissions and through the traffic problems it causes, is forming a real threat to their conservation. The electric vehicle, through its respect for the environment and zero emission on the spot, allows the integration of traffic in sensitive historic areas. Contributing to the European growth Investment in electric drive research, development, and commercialization contribute to the European growth in developing a high-technology sector that leads the world in sustainable next-generation transportation technology.

The concept of electric vehicles covers different aspects ranging from bikes and scooters to forklifts, golf cars, passenger cars, buses, and commercial trucks.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) A battery electric vehicle uses batteries to power an electric motor to propel the vehicle. BEVs produce no emission on the spot so are perfect for city use. The batteries are recharged from the grid and from regenerative braking.

Pros: - Use of cleaner electric energy produced through advanced technologies or renewable - Zero tailpipe emissions - Overnight battery recharging - Recycled energy from regenerative braking - Lower fuel and operational costs - Energy security by displacing imported petroleum with domestic generated electricity - Quiet operation Cons: - Mileage range - Battery technology still to be improved - Possible need for public recharging infrastructure

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by both internal combustion engine and electric motor independently or jointly, doubling the fuel efficiency compared with a conventional vehicle. A hybrid is designed to capture energy that is normally lost through braking and coasting to recharge the batteries, which in turn powers the electric motor, without the need for plugging in. A 'parallel' hybrid electric vehicle can use the electric motor or the internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle. A 'series' hybrid electric vehicle uses the electric motor to provide added power to the internal combustion engine when it needs it most, for example in stop-and-go driving and acceleration and, therefore achieve greater fuel economy than conventional gasoline-engine vehicles. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) As with other hybrids, a plug-in hybrid vehicle has the ability to run on either electricity or an internal combustion engine. Plug-in hybrids have a larger battery than the batteries of conventional hybrids and can be recharged by plugging into an appropriate outlet. Recharged vehicles can provide 30 to 100 Km of all-electric, zeroemission range without engine power. Plug-in hybrids are being tested in prototype form and may soon be available for sale. Pros: - Cleaner electric energy thanks advanced technologies or renewable - Reduced fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions - Energy security by displacing imported petroleum with domestic generated electricity - Optimized fuel efficiency and performance - Recovered energy from regenerative braking - Unchanged gas station infrastructure - Grid connection potential - Home based" battery recharging at a fraction of the cost of petroleum equivalent - Pure zero-emission capability - Potential of even lower fuelling costs compared to battery sustaining hybrids Cons: - Cost and complexity of two power trains - Component availabilitybatteries, powertrains, electronics - Higher initial cost contributes to the European growth - Cost of batteries and battery replacement - Added weight

Pros: - Optimized fuel efficiency and performance - Lower fuelling costs - Reduced fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions - Recovered energy from regenerative braking - Use of existing gas station infrastructure Cons: - Higher initial cost - Complexity of two power trains - Component availabilitybatteries, power trains, power electronics

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEVs) A fuel cell combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen to produce electricity used to power an electric motor, which moves the vehicle. The only exhaust produced is water. A number of fuel cell-powered electric vehicles are on the roads worldwide, including passenger cars, delivery trucks, buses, and military vehicles. Researchers are working to bring down fuel cell and related component costs and to improve durability to enable full commercialization.

European future should be a robust economy characterized by strong energy independence and friendly and healthy environment.
AVERE is there to help users, industries and authorities, at all level, to join forces to render this future to become a reality. It is a non profit-making association, founded in 1978 under the aegis of the European Community, as a European network of industrial manufacturers and suppliers for electric vehicles. The Association's goal is to promote the use of Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and to rationalize the efforts of its member companies in the scientific and technological developments. With more than 500 members, AVERE represents the whole European Electric Vehicle industry and an important force for the promotion of Electric Vehicles.

Pros: - Zero tailpipe emissions - Higher energy efficiency than the internal combustion engine - Regenerative braking captures and reuses braking energy - Potential of near-zero well-to-wheel emissions when using renewable fuels to produce hydrogen - No dependence on petroleum Cons: - Cost reduction - Increased reliability and durability - Hydrogen generation, distribution, dispensing, and onboard storage - Availability and affordability of hydrogen refueling - Codes and standards development - Scalability for mass manufacture - Consumer education

AVERE support the sustainable commercialization of all electric drive technologies by providing in-depth information, education, industry networking, public policy advocacy and international conferences and exhibitions. In particular, via its national sections, AVERE offers a vast experience and network to disseminate the results of activities as well as to facilitate co-operation between the actors and unlock synergies. With the AVERE member's network, finding partners in other European countries is no longer a problem but an opportunity.
AVERE European Association for Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles c/o VUB-TW-ETEC Bd. de la Plaine, 2 - BE 1050 Brussels Tel +32 2 629 23 63 - Fax +32 2 629 36 20 http://www.avere.org