The green car race is not restricted to vehicle manufacturers desperate to steal a march on their rivals – it’s also apparent that some of the leading nations are battling to be the first to have infrastructure in place for the electrification of the automobile.
France is the latest country to throw its name into the hat with its minister for ecology, energy, sustainable development and the sea, Jean Louis Borloo, presenting a national 14-point plan to accelerate the development and commercialisation of electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
The Government hopes to have two million electric and plug-in vehicles on its roads by 2020. So how will this be achieved? Here’s a step-by-step look at the 14-point plan:
Point one: The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) will launch a call for projects on infrastructure costs to support plug-in demonstrators and trials and to validate an ecosystem of rechargeable vehicles. For this stage of the plan, which will begin in early 2010, €70million has been dedicated.
Point two: Also early in 2010, ADEME will establish mobility solutions looking at developments in transportation based on new technology and service – this has a budget of €25million.
Point three: Renault will establish a lithium-ion battery factory in Flins that will produce 100,000 batteries a year – the investment here will be €625million.
Point four: A group of companies including La Poste, EPA, Air France, EDF Energy, France Telecom and more, will commit to buying electric vehicles with a range of at least 150km. It is hoped to have 100,000 vehicles by 2015.
Point five: There will be a €5,000 grant to buy vehicles with CO2 emissions less than or equal to 60g/km until 2012. Hybrids, LPG or natural gas vehicles with emissions less than or equal to 135g/km may also benefit from a €2,000 bonus.
Point six: Establishment of standard outlets to charge cars outside homes.
Point seven: Construction of buildings with compulsory charging systems by 2012.
Point eight: Support for installation of charging systems in condominiums.
Point nine: Compulsory charging points in parking for office buildings by 2015.
Point 10: An agreement on common European charging standards.
Point 11: Support for municipalities to deploy public recharging infrastructure.
Point 12: €1.5billion for the deployment of a public infrastructure network.
Point 13: To maximise the use of renewable electricity for recharging vehicles.
Point 14: Find ways to give batteries and materials a second life through recycling or other forms of reuse.
