Electro-mobility represents a complex process, which imposes challenges that contribute to a radical change in transport, from legal regulations and policies to the necessary rechargeable infrastructure, whose elements will determine the adoption of this new means of transport.
When it comes to the rechargeable infrastructure, it is necessary to apply measures related to interoperable infrastructure and spaces designed specifically for electric vehicles. In order to develop such programs, demonstrative projects are being implemented in various regions so as to provide this type of fast rechargeable infrastructures, verify the change of batteries and the inductive recharge and also to deliver the management system for an intelligent network. The main issue resides in the development of the standardization process and IT solutions at European level, which could allow customers easy access to infrastructure access fees and additional services such as cross-border transport within the EU. Therefore, in order to better understand the possibility of introducing electric vehicles, several cities agreed to implement taxation points (a total of 10.000): Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Rome and Pisa, Berlin, Strasbourg. In Denmark, the country with the highest quota in the world in terms of wind energy production, motor vehicle importers will put in circulation 2.000 electric vehicles (in 2011) and will assemble 2.000 public and semi-public rechargeable units (the cities involved are Copenhagen, Bornholm and Malmö). In Ireland, a national program has been implemented for the introduction of 2.000 vehicles and 3.500 rechargeable units.
“The concepts applied until now will be grouped into trans-European testing areas. The goal is to prepare the terrain for electro-mobility across Europe, and this requires new standards for the transport infrastructure and additional IT networks. By doing this we will ensure a well-coordinated development of the mobility segment”, said Heike Barlag (Siemens), Green eMotion Project Manager.
The installation of rechargeable units brings into discussion a series of aspects: the space necessary for their assembly (without affecting the streets), compatibility with vehicles from other regions, design, the possibility of charging a number of vehicles simultaneously, data display etc. The features of the rechargeable infrastructure will be a very important factor that will influence the introduction of electric vehicles.
However, the most important aspect is related to energy consumption. Will the electric system be able to cover the necessary quantity and costs until new intelligent system is developed or will rail electrification be a more feasible result?
by Pamela Luică
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