Electric Mobility Concepts and Their Significance for the Economy, Society and the Environment

Electromobility is currently fuelling hopes worldwide for a more sustainable development of the transport sector. The TAB report analyses ecological, economic and social aspects of electromobility for Germany and compares them with those of conventional automobiles. The ecological balance is particularly in favour of electromobility when low- or zero-CO2 energy sources are used, because in addition to greenhouse gases, other pollutant emissions are also significantly reduced. The economic analysis examines economic efficiency, implications for the automotive value chain and jobs, and the supply of critical raw materials. With a future stronger diffusion of electromobility in Germany, slightly positive effects on the employment situation and the development of GDP are expected. The social implications are examined on the basis of acceptance, user behaviour, traffic noise and accidents. The report shows that a positive user acceptance can be achieved with a wider range of models while complying with common quality and comfort standards as well as extended test possibilities, but also by reducing acquisition costs, a wider range of user-friendly mobility and business models and, last but not least, a transparent positive environmental balance. On the basis of the analyses, critical aspects and potentials of electric mobility are discussed, leading to policy-relevant conclusions and options for action.