This is an overview of the field of electric driven vehicles, aiming to give an overview of the introduction of vehicles and supporting the development of the vehicle electrification. Some current technical solutions are presented, and a possible future is outlined, in the field of vehicles, batteries as well as infrastructure and power supply solutions. A brief overview of the system perspective on society, drivers and vehicles and the impact on the environment is given. Some electrification initiatives, realized or planned, are described with a major focus on the Swedish market, although a brief international view is presented. Governmental electrification targets and duly support is presented, as well as some examples of current research in this field. For this document, the electric vehicle is mainly to be understood as a passenger type vehicle with some type of electric power supply. Initially presented are various types of electric vehicles, EV, such as (pure) electric vehicles (with no alternative power), electric hybrid vehicles, plug-in (chargeable) hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. On the 30th of April 2014 there were 3714 vehicles named “plug-in” hybrid, with an option of external charging, registered in Sweden. Out of those there were 1 260 only electric powered and 2454 of the type chargeable hybrid vehicles. The most common battery type in the modern EV is the lithiumion accumulator. EV normally retain a high purchase price, mainly due to the cost of the batteries. The sustainability of the batteries will affect the overall cost. Second hand value is still very uncertain, as well as an uncertainty by the users about the EV functionality, i.e. the possibility to drive a certain distance. An often raised question is the lack of external vehicle noise, possibly making the EV a potential risk due to low hearing detectability. To be able to use an EV, batteries need to be charged. A survey by Sika (2013) shows that 70% of all transportation made by passenger vehicles in Sweden are shorter than 30 km, with the implication that most of these travels are well suited to be performed by an EV. In the report various solutions to the charging of batteries are presented and whether and how power could be supplied. The driver attitude towards the EV is briefly reported, as well as how to make the EV an efficient and economical transportation. To further raise the economic gain, the EV ought to be in traffic while not charging. EV car pools, shared ownership or EV taxi fleets have shown potential to be good alternatives. To make the EV an environmental effective solution it does need to be studied from an overview system perspective, but the enhancement potential and energy efficiency over the life-cycle perspective is mainly due to the process of how to produce the electricity needed. In Sweden the electricity production is at a higher rate carbon monoxide neutral than in most other countries in Europe. During the year 2012 approximately 59% of the energy produced was made by water turbines, wind turbines and propellants considered to be renewable. The Swedish government has stated that by the year 2030, the Swedish vehicle fleet should be independent of fossil propellants, and a goal is that by 2050 Sweden shall reach a net zero level emission of greenhouse gases. The electrification of the transportation system and a raised number of EVs is seen as a suitable and desirable development to reach this type of sustainable society. Two ways of supporting the introduction of electric vehicles are: the governmental “supermiljö-bilspremie”, translated to “super-environmental-electric-vehicle-bonus”, and the possibility to get a refund for additional costs of EV vehicles for organizations. Additional support methods, like free parking and charging poles are examples of more local support. (Author/publisher)
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