Based on the Energy Authority's input to the Ministry of Industry, "Current knowledge concerning the market for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (CAMEL); ER2009: 20", where the administration is proposing a national program for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, Power Circle, together with partners will conduct feasibility studies for some specific projects within a such proposed program. Specifically referred to pre-study project on:
* Concentrated test environment
* Distributed demo environment
* Electric vehicles in cold climates
Support for the project was decided by the Energy Agency in early December 2009. The project runs in the first half of 2010. The project represents a continuation of the previous project "Driven by the wind".
Background
An introduction of about 600 000 plug-in hybrids and electric cars in Sweden would effectively help to reduce Sweden's carbon dioxide emissions, increasing renewable energy, reducing energy use and reduce oil dependence. A strong investment by government in collaboration with industry, could make it possible to achieve this vision of electric vehicles 600 000 2020. How many electric vehicles, which in practice will be driven on the Swedish roads in 2020 is determined, however, by a wide range of factors, not least the design of various instruments for electrical vehicles and the charging infrastructure, automotive investments in electric vehicles, car / battery reliability and cost, and how well infrastructure for recharging is developed and adapted for different customer classes.
The market development for electric vehicles are now in a preliminary stage, although some vehicle manufacturers mention 2010-2012 as potential launches of electric vehicles. Currently there are very few electric vehicles to purchase on the Swedish market and there is considerable uncertainty about how and to what extent laddinfrastruktur need to be built in different environments. Against this background it is set to prompt mode experience of different electric vehicles as they start to become available, in-depth knowledge of variouscharging systems and associated business models and better understanding of different customer / vehicle categories and driving pattern.