R&D needs

The issues of energy supply and protection of the environment can be addressed by a multi-level approach that includes:

• Further improvement of combustion engines for efficiency,
• Diversification of energy sources (conventional fuels, biogas, hydro treated vegetable oil, biomass to liquid, biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity, etc.),
• Diversified infrastructure for fuels and energy supply with limited energy carriers,
• Electrification of the drivetrain (hybrid system, electric drive train, hydrogen and fuel cell propulsion, energy storage system),
• Optimisation of vehicles (improved energy management, energy recuperation, lightweight structures, new vehicle concepts), and
• Co-operative systems, improved infrastructure (e.g. traffic control systems) and eco-driving in an integrated approach with participation of all relevant stakeholders.

Powertrains for different energy sources, as well as storage and distribution systems, have to be developed and adapted further. Each of these steps (primary energy base, energy carriers, power trains, storage and distribution) has to be balanced against the environmental, social and ethical demands of society in order to avoid, for example, unfair competition between food and fuel for arable land.

To achieve success, effective actions need be taken urgently by adopting an integrated approach from the key stakeholders: energy industry, automotive industry, national governments and the European Commission. With respect to propulsion, an innovative powertrain scenario is needed which is based on specific needs for mobility. Hence, different efficient and affordable propulsion technologies must be developed.

The European automotive industry is a leader in R&D and CO₂-cutting technologies. Corresponding innovations in direct diesel and gasoline injection, optimised transmission systems, stop-start systems with energy-recovering brakes and hybrid technology are some of the recent developments... As a result, 100 cars today produce roughly the same amount of pollutant emissions as 1 car in 1970 (Source: ACEA 2008, Cars, Trucks and the Environment).

Looking towards the 2030 horizon and in order to further reduce energy consumption and better protect the environment in Europe, the automotive industry sees a current need for research and development in:

Further improvement of conventional powertrains

• High efficient combustion engine technologies allowing significant reduction of CO₂,
• Improved exhaust after-treatment technologies, and
• Optimisation of the overall system: “efficient engines – efficient fuels”.
  
  

Diversification of energy sources

• Development of CO₂-neutral fuels from renewable raw materials (conventional fuels, biogas, hydro treated vegetable oil, biomass to liquid, biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity, etc.) and strategies for their use (no adverse effects for food and feed production and markets).
  
  

Diversified infrastructure for fuels and energy supply with limited energy carriers

• Development of the energy supply network for fuel cell and electric vehicles including hydrogen, and
• Limitation of energy carriers in order to limit the complexity of filling stations.
  
  

Electrification of the drivetrain

Electrified drivetrains will play a key role combining new propulsion technologies (hybrid system, plug-in, electric drive, hydrogen and fuel cell). This leads to the need for research in the following fields: