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Electric car emissions warning
11 February 2010
The EU must ensure that electric cars don't increase carbon emissions, says a new report from environmental groups.
The report from consultants CE Delft, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace and Transport & Environment, calls for the setting of national renewable energy targets so that electric cars don't use more energy than fossil-fuelled cars.
At present the EU has a 'super credit' policy planned for 2012 to 2015, whereby car manufacturers will be allowed to offset every electric car sold against its average emissions quota.
If the super credit regulation is allowed to go through, an increase of electric car sales by 10 per cent could lead to a 20 per cent increase in oil consumption and CO2 emissions, claims the report.
“While electric cars can be part of the shift to a more sustainable transport model, they must be coupled with a commitment to ensure they run on renewable electricity,” said Sonja Meister, of Friends of the Earth Europe.
The report is also calling for electric cars to be fitted with smart metering technology so that they can charge up at times of low demand, often when wind and solar generation sources are providing surplus electricity.
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