The truck manufacturers are stepping up the pace in the changeover to alternative drive systems. They are much more ambitious than the politicians. They are now hoping for incentives from the government so that customers will actually follow suit.
The German government also wants to nudge the logistics sector in the direction of green mobility. A new funding programme therefore supports both newly registered vans and trucks with alternative drive systems as well as old diesels that are converted. More than 500 million euros are available.
The German vehicle fleet is getting older and older. On average, the vehicles in this country are 9.6 years old. The perfect starting point for the conversion to electric - if the right incentives are created.
By the end of the decade, 50% of new cars in the USA are to be electric. Biden has signed an executive order and wants to invest 174 billion US dollars. The carmakers are behind the plan to remain internationally competitive.
The British climate envoy drives a diesel. Like many other politicians, also in Germany, she does not yet dare to drive an e-car - because of the lack of range and too long charging time. If even the politicians are not convinced, why should we be?
There are to be 30 million e-cars on the roads in the EU by 2030. The countries and the EU itself are therefore boosting the market with premiums and tax benefits for e-car drivers. Here is an overview.
Electric cars could soon be affected by the restrictions imposed by environmental zones. Due to their high particulate matter production, the OECD demands that the emissions of electric cars be taken into account in driving bans. Manufacturers like Daimler would then have to switch to significantly smaller models or filter systems.
Due to the flood disasters in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, the question arises whether e-cars are not roadworthy in floods compared to combustion cars, because the electrics could short-circuit in the water and sparks could fly. According to experts, this is nonsense. Electric cars even have an advantage over combustion cars.
Travelling with motorhomes and caravans is becoming more and more restricted in Europe. It is not only the increasingly strict rules in the environmental zones that worry campers, but also the forced switch to electric drive. Because the heavy trailers consume too much energy and therefore drastically reduce the range of e-cars. Dethleffs is already working on a solution - but this means considerable costs for holidaymakers.
Tesla wants to open its charging stations to all vehicles. The charging stations of the American e-car pioneer are far superior to other models in terms of both number of units and technology. Thanks to Tesla, the network of charging stations would take an enormous leap forward. It is not yet clear what the company will get out of this and how it will be technically possible to implement it.
