Should All Cars Be Electric by 2025? The Electric Car Debate in Europe

Abstract

The car is still the most common mode of transport in Western countries, particularly so across the European Union, as it accounts for about two-thirds of daily commuting. So far, measures aiming to reduce automobile traffic and incentives for the modal shift to public transport and non-polluting methods of travel (walking, cycling, etc.) have had little effect. Moreover, the car lies at the core of a very complex system that has proven to be difficult to unlock. In light of these challenges, using new types of engine power may appear to be a solution. Electric vehicles have the potential to improve the efficiency, affordability, and sustainability of the transport system. However, there remains much uncertainty as to how such a transition from one type of engine to another may unfold, and where it could take place within the European context. In June 2017, the H2020 project SHAPE-ENERGY launched an online debate on the Debating Europe platform with the question: “Should all cars be electric by 2025?”. The aim of the debate was to elicit citizens views on whether the goal could be reached, how and with which consequences. The diversity of the vantage points that have appeared in the subsequent discussion generated by the strands of debate allows us to bring into discussion the viewpoints and arguments that are not often addressed in the literature on the adoption of electric cars in a comprehensive way. The article sheds light on those debates across Europe, in order to bring new insights to European policymakers that are seeking to promote the market for electric vehicles. It also broadens the scope and offers important contributions to scholarly debates on the diffusion and adoption of such vehicles.

Democratic and Participatory Pilot Projects?

“…However, electric vehicles also take on other roles, which are important for the formation of energy citizenship. Electric vehicles frequently become contested, and their sustainability has been subject to substantial public controversy (Ortar and Ryghaug 2019). For many, these controversies become yet another way to participate in transition activities.…”

Towards Carbon-Neutral Mobility in Finland: Mobility and Life Satisfaction in Day-to-Day Life

“…The linkage with transport policy and climate and energy policies is often made through innovations in transport electrification, while also social concerns such as social justice [42] or potential transport poverty [43] are relevant. From the perspective of mobility justice [31] and energy justice [44], a shift to electric vehicles does not necessarily provide a just solution, as electric vehicles are still generally only accessible to middle class Western Europeans living in urban well electrified areas and do not necessarily reduce congestion. Self-driving cars that are also often associated with the electrification pathway may contain risks that have not been comprehensively assessed [10,45].…”

An Intelligent System-on-a-Chip for a Real-Time Assessment of Fuel Consumption to Promote Eco-Driving

“…Though advances in recycling several components, such as batteries [10], have been made, the use of energy-intensive materials causes a noticeable impact on greenhouse gas emissions [8,11]. On the other hand, at least for the current decade, fuel-powered cars are expected to continue as the mobility standard [12,13]. Thus, the development of systems to change low-efficiency driving behaviors, such as driving at high regimes, seems to be a good alternative in efforts to increase the eco-friendliness of the current fleet of fuel-powered cars.…”