H2020 Green Vehicles: Building a low-carbon and climate resilient future
In answer to the global challenge of air pollution, energy security and climate change, the Research and Innovation Section of the European Commission has set out to build a low-carbon, climate resilient future with the focus on green and integrated vehicles. Given the fact that the mentioned challenges do no longer exist only on a local but global level, how does the Europe Union plan to approach a low-carbon future?
Although cities cover only 2% of the earth’s surface, 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, but they are responsible for three-quarters of the global energy consumption as well as approximately 80% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. While this trend certainly creates massive challenges, it also offers the unique opportunity to shape energy use especially in the transport.
The European Commission with its work program H2020 is aiming towards a low-carbon and climate resilient future through:
- adjusting the infrastructure,
- enhancing the technic,
- providing affordable framework conditions for electrified cars
- fostering international cooperation in research and innovation
Affordability and user centric charging infrastructure
Electrified vehicles have become increasingly visible on our streets in recent years. However, they are still in the minority when it comes to privately used vehicles. The upcoming challenge is to achieve affordability, user friendliness and optimisation for the infrastructure.
As a matter of fact, the majority of electrified vehicles owners live in suburb areas, hence the infrastructure in many cities still leaves much to be desired for them. The European Union states following objectives, in order to achieve an increased uptake of vehicles:
“Innovative solutions need to be evaluated and developed to allow electrified vehicles drivers to have a similar or even better mobility experience than the conventional fossil fuel. This means to improve the availability, convenience, performance and costs of the necessary charging infrastructure.” [1]
In this context, Norway has been a role model for leading on electric cars. Nearly a third of all new cars sold in 2017 in the country was made up by plug-in models, either fully electric or a hybrid. In Oslo, the streets are filled with tranquilly gliding cars of various sizes. The popularity of buying electric vehicles has soared given a wide range of lavish incentives and perks by the Norwegian government. For instance,
“Electric car owners do not pay import tax and VAT, mosaic of road tolls, ferry fees and city emissions charges that other Norwegians face. Moreover, they can park for free and bypass traffic by driving in some bus lanes.” [2]
Another important aspect to stimulate the sales market of the electrified cars is to provide convenient low power charging infrastructure (public, semi-public and private) which supports rapid charging. Solutions of wireless charging technology as well as a transparent and flexible payment system across Europe need to be taken into account.
In terms of charging infrastructure, the British oil firm BP has seen the great potential of electric cars coming. To adapt this trend on the market, BP is planning to add rapid charging points for electric cars at its UK petrol stations. Following in the footsteps of his rivals, Shell has not only had a spree of electric car infrastructure companies but also already set up charging points at its service stations. [3]
On a big scale, the aim of the European Union is to incentivise users of different social groups to use electrified vehicles. By establishing the ground for an increasing usage of electrified vehicles, European industries target to maintain their leading world position in supplying automotive products.
Low-emissions for long-distance trucks
Long-distance transport with heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) is a main consumer of energy and contributor to carbon dioxide and air pollutant emission in Europe. Therefore, their reduction requires specific attention due to high demand on efficiency. The challenge will be to reduce their energy consumption and carbon dioxide.
To address this problem, the work program [4] suggests to focus on technical areas and continuous development of 1) alternative and renewable fuels produced from renewable resources such as vegetable oil used as fuel; 2) electric motors – an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy and 3) power electronics which is an application of electronics to control and convert electric power and 4) hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a type of hybrid vehicle that uses two or more distinct types of power, for instance:
“…in diesel-electric trains using diesel engines to drive an electric generator that power an electric motor, and submarines that use diesels when surface and batteries when submerged.” [5]
Furthermore, there are ambitious goals to implement VECTO Technology. The Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) is a vehicle simulation tool tailored to estimate carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) of different categories, sizes and technologies [6]. The European Commission is optimizing the development of the VECTO to measure the carbon dioxide emissions from new lorries above 7,5 tonnes. They are also planning to regulate the determination of the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption of new lorries above 7,5 tonnes, by the so-called VECTO certification. [7]
By applying these measurements, the internal combustion engine performance shall be enhanced to reach a peak thermal efficiency. Moreover, a total 30% reduction of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in an extended range of environmental conditions is expected.
International Cooperation Flagship
Climate change, energy resource and local air pollution are some of the global main challenges for the 21st century. Urban planning and development in emerging economies are major driving factors in greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. Due to this context, building a low-carbon and climate resilient future is no longer an issue of national concern. International cooperation in research and policy making has become a regular process to tackle environmental issues.
Against this background, the European Commission has called for:
actions which should bring together European, Asian (e.g. China), CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and African research partners, government agencies and urban authorities, private sector and civil society with relevant expertise and competence within the corresponding cooperation framework and foster participatory engagement in urban electrification in order to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions.” [8]
Between China and Europe, a diverse range of cooperation has already taken place. For instance, the platform Urban EU-China Innovation on Sustainable Urbanisation which consists of 12 European and Chinese consortium expert partners to support the European Commission in its aim to make EU-China sustainable urbanisation cooperation more accessible and attractive for a broader set of stakeholders. [9]
Another Sino-European cooperation worthwhile mentioning in this context is the Joint Program Initiation (JPI) on Sustainable and Liveable Cities and Urban Areas organised by Urban Europe and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [10]. JPI Urban Europe and NSFC have agreed to a long-term cooperation under the strategic theme sustainable urbanisation in the context of economic transformation and climate change.
a) Reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, paying special attention to the quality of air, water and soil, and municipal and other waste management; b) access to safe, affordable, sustainable housing, transportation and basic series and c) integrated policies towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaption to climate change and resilience to disasters. [10]
Moving towards sustainable mobility will also help to address urban congestion, create jobs, reduce local air pollution and make public services more accessible. Such international cooperation in research and innovation is indeed not only encouraged by the European Union but also by the European industries. The strengthening of the collaboration offers new business opportunities for innovative local and European entrepreneurs.
Note: This article is based on Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020. Smart, green and integrated transport.
References
[1] European Commission. Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020. Smart, green and integrated transport. P.89
[4] European Commission. Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020. Smart, green and integrated transport. P.91
[5] Wikipedia, hybrid vehicle “hybrid vehicle”, available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle
[7] https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/heavy_en
[8] European Commission. Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020. Smart, green and integrated transport. P.93
[9] http://www.urban-eu-china.eu/en/
[10] http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm?pg=news
Keywords
VECTO Technology, fossil, H2020, European Commission, European Union, Work Programme, urbanisation, transport, electrified vehicle, air pollution, infrastructure, alternative fuels, renewable fuels, charging points, JPI Urban Europe, China, heavy-duty vehicle (HDV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)