One million electric vehicles by 2020 was the federal government's goal. So far, only 53,861 purely electric cars are driving in Germany (as of January 1st, 2018). However, manufacturers are having to rely more and more on electrical engineering in order not to exceed the upper limit of the permitted CO2 emissions for cars. This upper limit is further reduced by politicians in order to reduce CO2 emissions in traffic. Cars with internal combustion engines will not be able to meet these future values. The importance of electric cars in the future is therefore a topic that is being discussed more and more frequently in the media, in politics and in business. In order to advance the energy transition, Lienkamp calls for an urgent rethinking of car use. With the statement "Because I go on vacation once a year, I don't have an Airbus in the garden" he tries to convince his listeners that an electric car does not have to drive 1000 km at a time if it is primarily used for the city.
The key question in my seminar paper is whether the electric car, with its advantages and disadvantages, will be a future model for everyone in Germany. At the beginning I would like to give an overview of the topic of electric cars and describe the current situation in Germany. Among other things, I check the sustainability of the electric cars. Are they really as ecological as the proponents always say?
Then I deal with the important topic of range, which is often described as insufficient. I will also explain the situation of the charging infrastructure today and in the future. Is the charging infrastructure already sufficient, and what needs to change in the future?
The question of cost plays a relevant role and is an important decision point for many buyers. When will electric cars cost as much or even less than cars with internal combustion engines? Who will switch to an electric car and when in the future? I will deal with these questions and others in the topic of future viability of the electric car.
The content of my investigation is limited to electromobility in the passenger car sector. In addition, I will only go into the development, the sensible use of pure electric cars and their future prospects in Germany and leave out global change. Hydrogen vehicles and hybrid vehicles are not taken into account.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Electric cars – current status
3. Environmental balance of electric cars
4. Range of electric cars
5. Charging and charging infrastructure
5.1. Interest of politics and business
5.2. Impact of charging on the electricity grid
6. Costs
7. Sustainability
7.1. Future development in politics, business and industry
7.2. Future areas of application
8. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
The seminar paper investigates whether the electric car, with its various advantages and disadvantages, can realistically serve as a future mobility model for everyone in Germany. It critically examines the current ecological, technical, and economic viability of electromobility to determine its potential for broad market adoption.
- Ecological footprint and life-cycle assessment of electric vehicles
- Technical feasibility of current and future battery ranges
- Development and current status of charging infrastructure
- Economic competitiveness and cost parity with combustion engines
- Political and industrial strategies for the transition to electromobility
Excerpt from the Book
3. Environmental balance of electric cars
To delay climate change, CO must2emissions into the atmosphere. "But it's not just electricity generation that needs to become sustainable. The transport sector in particular is slowing down CO₂-Savings potential. While Germany has all its CO₂emissions by almost 28 percent between 1990 and 2014, the transport sector achieved a comparatively meagre reduction of 2.6 percent over the same period." 16 In the last 4 years, there has even been an increase of 1.8%.17 In order to solve the problem of sustainability in transport, electric cars have become increasingly important in recent years and should continue to gain in importance in the near future. Many critics doubt that the electric car is more ecological at all and therefore cannot actually provide any help in the energy transition.
It is often claimed that the production of electricity produces more emissions than vehicles with internal combustion engines. In addition, it is criticized that the production of the battery is very energy-intensive, and thus the advantage over combustion engines is canceled out again.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the goal of one million electric vehicles in Germany and outlines the paper's focus on the passenger car sector, excluding hybrids and hydrogen vehicles.
2. Electric cars – current status: Provides a historical overview of the development of the automobile and the recent market growth of electric vehicles since 2011.
3. Environmental balance of electric cars: Analyzes the ecological impact of electric vehicles, addressing battery production, electricity mix, and critical materials like cobalt and lithium.
4. Range of electric cars: Discusses current distance capabilities, the influence of driving conditions on battery performance, and future expectations for increased range.
5. Charging and charging infrastructure: Examines the availability of charging stations, different plug systems, and the "chicken-and-egg" problem regarding infrastructure expansion.
5.1. Interest of politics and business: Details government funding programs and joint industry initiatives to establish a reliable, nation-wide ultra-fast charging network.
5.2. Impact of charging on the electricity grid: Evaluates the load on the power grid and the potential of intelligent charging systems to stabilize energy networks.
6. Costs: Compares purchase prices, maintenance, and operating costs, identifying 2025 as a potential tipping point for cost parity with combustion vehicles.
7. Sustainability: Reviews the political and industrial commitment to electromobility as a means to reach climate targets in the transport sector.
7.1. Future development in politics, business and industry: Explores legislative pressure from the EU and multi-billion euro investments by German automotive manufacturers.
7.2. Future areas of application: Segments potential adoption rates, highlighting current benefits for inner-city delivery services and the future potential for private long-distance travel.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes that while the electric car is not a "miracle solution," it is essential for future emission-free mobility and is likely to prevail as technology improves.
Keywords
Electromobility, Electric Vehicles, CO2 Emissions, Sustainability, Charging Infrastructure, Battery Technology, Energy Transition, Automotive Industry, Range Anxiety, Grid Stability, Environmental Bonus, Transportation, Germany, Cost Parity, Market Launch
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper evaluates the future viability of electric cars in Germany, analyzing their current technical status, environmental impact, and economic readiness compared to internal combustion engines.
What are the primary themes covered?
The main themes are environmental sustainability, the state of the charging infrastructure, cost competitiveness, and the transition strategies adopted by German politics and the automotive industry.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks whether the electric car can, considering its pros and cons, realistically become a future model for all drivers in Germany.
Which scientific methods are used?
The paper employs a comprehensive literature review, analysis of recent statistical data from organizations like the ADAC and Federal Motor Transport Authority, and a critical evaluation of industry studies and technological developments.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the development of electric car registrations, the life-cycle assessment of emissions, battery challenges, infrastructure needs, grid impact, and the economic outlook for various segments of electric vehicles.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Electromobility, Sustainability, Charging Infrastructure, Battery Technology, Cost Parity, and the German Energy Transition.
Does the author consider electric cars to be 100% ecological today?
No, the author explicitly states that electric cars are not a "miracle solution" and are far from 100% ecological, but they do offer a better environmental balance over their total service life compared to combustion engines.
How does the author address the "chicken-and-egg" problem of charging infrastructure?
The paper notes that while public perception is driven by "range anxiety" and the fear of insufficient infrastructure, current data suggests that the charging network is already sufficient for many everyday applications in Germany.
What is the significance of 2025 according to the research?
2025 is highlighted as a critical milestone where experts predict cost parity with internal combustion engines, making electric cars competitive for all types of application, including long-distance travel.
- Quote paper
- Lisa von Wachter (Author), 2018, The electric car. A future model for everyone in Germany?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1185800
