Renewable energy for sustainable mobility

Abstract

The transport sector is one of the major contributors to the increasing emissions worldwide. It is almost completely based on fossil fuels posing challenge for the environment and energy supply security. It is becoming more and more obvious that we urgently need decarbonization of the transport system. Many countries and regions have started with the electrification of mobility providing a broad portfolio of supporting policies and measures. Although, electric vehicles are promoted as a clean technology, their environmental performance is very dependent on the primary energy sources used for electricity generation. Only in combination with renewable energy sources, electric vehicles could significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. However, carbon intensity of the electricity mix is very different from country to country depending on the availability of the primary energy sources. To increase the environmental benefits of electric vehicles as well as their acceptance, it is important to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix. Policies implemented should ensure that electric vehicles are really contributing to the sustainable development of mobility.