Germany Wants One Million Electric Cars on the Road by 2020
In a conference on the future of electric transportation, the German government has detailed a major plan to put one million electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the country’s roads within the next 11 years.
The sweeping plan includes a large amount of funding for advanced battery development, investment in an electric car charging infrastructure, and tax credits for the adoption of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Conceived by four separate German agencies — the departments of Economics, Transport, Environment, and Education/Research — the plan is on track to be signed into actual law at the beginning of the next German legislative session.
- » See also: Is the Renault-Nissan Alliance Going in Two Different Electric Car Directions?
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As reported by Green Car Congress, Germany’s stated goals are to become a leader in electric car technology, become an energy independent nation, and provide all of the electricity needed for charging the vehicles from “renewable sources.”
German auto manufacturers have been developing electric and plug-in hybrids over the last several years. Mini is the first German auto manufacturer to come to market with an electric car, the Mini E, but both Daimler (electric Smart car) and VW (Golf Twin Drive) have electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle prototypes as well.
If Germany’s succcessful in this goal, they’ll certainly be an electric car force to be reckoned with. However, as I’ve said before, and using Mini’s attitude towards electric vehicle development as a guide, the Germans will have to be more open with electric powertrain development if they want to be dominant in future worldwide electric car markets.
Photo Credit: respres’s Flickr photostream under a Creative Commons License.
Source: Green Car Congress
Are there really that many cars in Germany? Or, are you using a picture of what looks frighteningly like Los Angeles for some other reason?
Without going nuclear, which I’m sure Germany will do, if they haven’t already done, the dumping of millions of electric cars onto the power grid will have no discernible effect on carbon-based fuel consumption. Even the switch to hydrogen will have little effect without a major breakthrough in H2 production technology. All these technologies are capable of doing is making people feel good “helping” the environment. In reality, all that is being done is a switching of the source of consumption.
While I support the development of this technology because of the impact that foreign oil embargoes can cause on the United States, one should not believe that they are being “green” by switching from one fuel that gives 28 mpg for another fuel that gives you 28 mpg.
The picture has defenitly been taken in the US. We don’t have these kind of trucks in Europe. I dont know how you call them, but the front of the trucks used in europe goes down straight from the front window. I saw a truck like those maybe once or twice over here.
Stefan,
Really? That’s what you’re going to complain about? I wasn’t trying to hide the fact that the picture was taken in the US. In fact, if you visit the site linked in my photo credit at the bottom of the article, you’d see that it was taken in LA. The point of the picture really wasn’t to show a particular geographic locality, but to show a bunch of cars on the road.
My wife is from Germany, so I’ve seen those trucks too. In general their cars and trucks look different, plus they have completely different barriers and highway signage. So, no, definitely not in Germany, or anywhere in Europe for that matter.
Why not ethanol instead?
Using 5% of unusable farmland planted in non food crops can provide Germanys transport needs.
Plus the infrastructure is already in place. No huge investment, carbon negative, quick to implement.
Way faster than nuclear, solar ,wind, waves.
In 6 months you have 1000-1200 gals of ethanol.
The money paid to the Middle East sheiks gone just like Brazil. The money stays in the country making the finances of Germany even stronger.
50c -$1.00 gal to make. In the U.S. 500b spent on ethanol plants meets the worlds transport needs. Growing things is our forte lets use it.
Where the heck are the negatives?
The picture is definitely not from Germany, but as for the green-ness of a switch, what about Germany’s massive investments (subsidies) into solar power and wind? Thatd be a significance improvement on both the energy independence front and renewable energy.
I thought that pluging in your car requires energy from your power company which could either be nuclear or coal. Most places on the west coast are run on coal, I don’t see how an electric car could make things any better.
Ethanol drawbacks;
When eliminating taxes and subsidies, ethanol costs more to make for equal amounts;
When used as a gasoline replacement, you need roughly 50% to 60% more for the same distance;
When replacing diesel fuel you need 65% to 90% more;
That 1200 gallons is about a week’s supply if you are on a sightseeing trip. FOR ONE CAR.
OTOH, biodiesel from algae is “green”. The algae eats CO2 and releases O2 while growing. And it grows fast.
I think Wagner and his management needs to get over to Germany and assure them it is not possible and what they need is gas hogs like they sell in the US…big ones too.
Who knows what the consumers want best? The German Government or management of private sector GM?
Nuclear is the perfect match to electric cars. Charge them at night during off-peak while those Nuclear plants are still humming. Germany wants to do this with wind / solar but it will either not be possible or be very expensive. Rationality will win out in the end, although it make take the example of other countries. Germany’s current plan to phase out nuclear in the next few years is insane. They have some of the best plants around (no surprise) which generate about 1/3 of their electricity. Replacing that in the time-frame allowed will be impossible. The original plan was to build coal plants and import the coal from Poland (so it won’t count?), but I doubt they will go ahead.
This is a very good interview with Hermann Scheer, the gentleman behind Germans EEG (Feed-in tariff and more). It’s the best way in the world to introduce renewable energy fast and now. Not over the next decade or later. We do not need Nuclear plants if we go full solar and wind. Read about it here:
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/the_gospel_of_green/interview_dr_hermann_scheer.html