The article Automobile Association calls for compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) considers a charging requirement for plug-in hybrids to be conceivable. This means that vehicles could be used more electrically and CO2 savings could actually be achieved. VDA President Hildegard Müller sees this as a way to ensure the acceptance and effectiveness of this drive technology.
Plug-in hybrids fundamentally offer great potential for the transport transition. Because they combine the advantages of electric driving on short journeys with the range of a combustion engine for longer journeys.
Used correctly – i.e. with regular charging and predominantly operation in electric mode – plug-in hybrids could significantly reduce CO2 emissions on the roads. At the same time, it would make it easier for drivers to switch to electromobility.
Plug-in hybrids could therefore act as an important bridging technology on the way to a fully electric vehicle fleet. However, the problem with these mixed vehicles lies precisely in their electrical use.
As a report from Transport & Environment recently showed, plug-in hybrids cause significantly more CO2 emissions under real usage conditions than previously assumed. For the automotive industry, the numbers are cause for concern because they not only reduce consumer confidence in the technology, but could also jeopardize political support and funding.
Hildegard Müller, President of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), has now joined the discussion about plug-in hybrids. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper she proposes a charging requirement for plug-in hybrids, which could bridge the end of the technology.
The problem with plug-in hybrids
Car manufacturers are under increasing pressure – one reason for this is upcoming EU regulations. From 2035 onwards, no new cars with combustion engines will be allowed in the European Union.
Starting this year, significantly stricter fleet limits for CO2 emissions will apply, which will be further tightened in the coming years. For manufacturers, this means that they have to make adjustments as quickly as possible, otherwise they could face fines.
Many manufacturers have relied heavily on plug-in hybrids in recent years. The main reason for this was that the vehicles were considered an ideal interim solution to meet the strict EU fleet limits.
However, the data from the European Environment Agency evaluated by the EU transport association Transport & Environment shakes this framework. The numbers show that under real conditions, plug-in hybrids emit on average five times as much emissions as stated in official tests.
Since the EU is making its current calculation method for its fleet targets more realistic in 2026 and 2027, this could be exactly what is dangerous for plug-in hybrids. A charging requirement for plug-in hybrids, as has now been proposed by VDA boss Müller, could provide a remedy for the automotive industry.
What are the benefits of compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids?
Opposite the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper VDA boss Hildegard Müller brings up a charging obligation. “In the future, plug-in hybrids could be designed in such a way that regular charging is mandatory,” explains the chief lobbyist for the German automotive industry. In this way, electric driving could be “targeted” promoted.
This could encourage drivers to charge the battery in their vehicle after a certain distance. According to Müller, system services could, for example, be automatically reduced to ensure compliance.
This would result in a de facto obligation for drivers to charge. A charging requirement would ensure that vehicles are regularly operated in electric mode, which in turn could significantly improve the CO2 footprint of these vehicles.
A charging requirement could also increase the acceptance of electromobility, as drivers become more accustomed to electric operation and the batteries are used efficiently. This would have the advantage for car manufacturers that the actual fleet values would be closer to the tested emissions and would therefore be able to better comply with the EU fleet limits.
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The article Automobile Association calls for compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the demand for compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids by automobile associations is a step in the right direction towards promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing emissions. By ensuring that plug-in hybrids are charged regularly, we can maximize their potential to operate on electric power alone, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing overall environmental impact.
Compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids can also help to address range anxiety among consumers, as consistent charging will ensure that these vehicles are always ready to operate on electric power when needed. Additionally, increased usage of electric power can lead to cost savings for consumers in the long run, as electricity is typically cheaper than gasoline.
However, it is important to consider the infrastructure challenges associated with compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids. Governments and private sector stakeholders will need to work together to expand and improve charging infrastructure to accommodate the increased demand for charging stations. Additionally, efforts should be made to ensure that charging stations are accessible, convenient, and affordable for all consumers.
Overall, I believe that compulsory charging for plug-in hybrids is a positive development that can help to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable transportation system. By implementing this policy in conjunction with other measures to promote electric vehicle adoption, we can work towards a cleaner, greener future for all.
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