Electrification of transport: a crucial means to meeting the 2020 and 2030 renewables targets

Francesco Gattiglio, EU affairs officer at the European battery manufacturers’ association, Eurobat, said on behalf of the platform: “Coupled with production of low-carbon electricity and implemented in conjunction with broader sustainable transport principles, electrification of transport can deliver a major contribution to 2030 renewable targets. In the process it will also create jobs; growth; enhanced energy supply security and cleaner air.”

Analysis by the European Climate Foundation shows that the shift to hybridisation and electrification of cars and vans alone would generate between 501,000 and 1.1 million net jobs in EU by 2030, cut C02 emissions by 64-93% by 2050 as well as NOx (85-95%) and particulates (74-95%). Electric surface transport can reduce CO₂ emissions and air pollution as well as congestion, notably in cities. Rail-bound solutions for mainlines, urban and suburban transport are already a major provider of electric mobility, and the further electrification of rail could potentially reduce the CO₂ emissions of rail to zero.

The platform concludes that the current RED will be unsuccessful in achieving the 10% target for energy from renewable sources in transport by 2020, and the use of electricity in transport remains marginal compared to crop-based biofuels. As a cornerstone of Europe’s overall decarbonisation strategy, the use of renewable electricity in transport should be more in the focus of any new RED.

Note to editors:

The Platform for Electro Mobility is an alliance of organisations from across industries and transport modes representing producers, infrastructure managers, operators and users of transport, as well as cities and civil society, which have joined forces to drive forward the electrification of surface transport.