The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Events News

For the first time, the German Electric Vehicle Congress allowed participants to test more than 25 two- and four-wheelers available on the market already today. In speeches from OEMs, energy suppliers, mobile communication providers, and public transport organisations, as well as in different charging solutions shown on the trade floor the term “electric mobility” is also slowly transforming into a reality where each player is looking to secure its financial and societal share.

The second day of the EV Congress in Bonn last week brought more insights into who are the movers and shakers in the field of electric two-wheelers and automobiles. While no speaker now doubts the emergence of an age of electric mobility, it becomes clear that solutions offered to make it a reality in a fast, economical, and socially viable way might differ widely today and in the future.

What will move us?

A test track with 7 electric motorbikes, scooters, segways, pedelecs, and 19 cars - including light trucks and transporters – allowed participants to have a first glance at and a “touch and feel experience” of solutions available for personal transport already now. From sporty to convenient, from simple and small to sophisticated - vehicles available for a test ride showed the variety of solutions offered to consumers.

How will we move?

Not only the electric vehicle we will choose but the way it will be integrated in a seamless transport system occupied the thoughts of many presenters this year. From car sharing to automated personal transport and highly integrated transportation systems – planning authorities, private solution providers, and public transport organisations presented their view on the best way to

The idea of a renewed promotion of car sharing was highlighted by several speakers, including Germany's rail transport provider Deutsche Bahn. Based on early trend indicators from Japan and other countries, young persons do no longer attach a great value to the possession of an own car, as was the case in the past. Rental cars and flexible mobility solutions could hence show the way towards a more integrated use of the electric car, where the use of an EV could be complemented by public transport solutions. A seamless network of car sharing stations, park & ride, and a better use of leasing options could significantly reduce range anxiety, right now one of the major factors holding consumers back. Concretely, Deutsche Bahn proposes the following business models:

1. E-car Leasing: this option includes a mobility pass with discount rates for rail usage, public transport in cities, and an integration of all suppliers of mobility solutions.
2. E-car Sharing: Car makers would need to offer fleet-compatible vehicles, whereas Deutsche Bahn would take care of their operation and the availability of car sharing stations at crucial points of usage, such as rail stations.
3. Pedelecs: For tourists and for enhancing city mobility, Deutsche Bahn envisages the stronger use of electric bicycles, similar to existing systems for non-motorized bikes seen in other cities.

Several projects have already been started, including “BeMobility” in Berlin-Potsdam, where the electric vehicle is available for car sharing in the city and suburban areas. First real-life tests have pointed to the problem of lacking safety standards for charging cables, the right of EV users to occupy parking spaces equipped with a charing station even after the charging process has been completed, and the missing information systems to inform drivers about the available charging infrastructure.

What will power us?

The focus on new battery developments was present at the German EV Congress, like at many other electric vehicles conferences around the world, but gave way to a more integrated thinking of where public funds and private investments would really need to go to make Germany a highly competitive market for EVs and PHEVs. The investments in next-generation battery technology would surely be a major part of efforts to drive electric, but

Lithium-air batteries are definitely not a near-term solution, Dr. Teodoro Laino from IBM Research Division confirmed who presented latest details of their R&D activities investigating the viability of a technology by earliest 2012.

As regards charging, a majority of exhibitors at the German EV Congress presented their solution to range anxiety. Aker Wade, Rohde & Schwarz, Mennekes, LifeBATT and ParkPod banked on different technologies, ranging from fast-charging to slow charging solutions. IAV believes that inductive charging will be the only viable solution in the long term as this corresponds to consumers' demand for comfort and safety. However, standards would need to be developed now to include inductive charging in the mix of measures rolled out.

Where will we move?

In several parallel sessions, running in competition to the presentations of latest EV models of leading German and foreign OEMs, representatives from municipalities contended with each other for the best projects to help the spread of a necessary infrastructure and test fleet in different countries and cities. Barcelona has taken a proactive stance where two-wheelers play a special role, given that the city boasts a 30% share of scooters and motorbikes from the private fleet total. As a result, 60% of the 200 charging stations now installed will be for motorbikes. With a 30% of the Spanish vehicles manufacturing industry being located in Barcelona, the city council and around 20 other entities now hope to make the city an excellence centre for EVs in the short term. By 2012, when Barcelona plans to host the international congress EVS27, test fleets need to have been converted into an everyday experience. As a first step, Barcelona has now opened a virtual and physical office for citizens to get support for a better use of charging stations.

Another promising concept was presented by manufacturer of charging stations Rohde&Schwarz who, after supplying the solutions for a nationwide charging network to leading energy provider RWE, is now cooperating with municipalities in the Bavarian Forest. The “e-wald” project foresees a seamless network of 80 stations located at strategic points of the natural conservation area to provide tourists with a charge for their electric vehicle but also with information about the area and its services – maps, locations, recommendations for cultural events - integrated in the charging stations.