Prof. Dr. Henning Kagermann, Chair, NPE

Berlin, Germany --- (METERING.COM) --- June 29, 2012 - Germany is well on its way to becoming a lead provider of and a lead market for electric mobility by 2020, according to the National Platform for Electric Mobility (NPE) in its latest progress report to the federal government.

According to the report, the federal government's approach of focusing on research and development in the current (first) phase of preparation for commercialization is the right one. In particular, the NPE considers the establishment of the four “electric mobility showcases” to be a key measure. In these four regions, electric mobility is to be made part of people's driving experience by means of large scale demonstration and pilot projects. These four regions are in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Berlin/Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria/Saxony.

In its previous report the NPE had proposed a three phase approach, and this is still valid. This first phase is market preparation with a focus on R&D running up to 2014. Then market readiness with a focus on vehicles and infrastructure follows up to 2017, and thereafter the start of mass market rollout with a focus on sustainable business models up to 2020.

The target is 1 million vehicles on German roads by 2020.

The report notes that German industry is investing across the entire value chain of electric mobility, from the battery and lightweight vehicle construction to energy management, vehicle charging technology and the integration of renewable energies. Further, 15 electric vehicle models are under development by German auto manufacturers.

“It is clear that the way to one million electric vehicles on German roads is a marathon, yet I am very confident that we will reach the goal,” said Prof. Dr. Henning Kagermann, president of acatech, who chairs the NPE. “How can I be sure? It is primarily the fact that the electric vehicle is pure fascination! Everyone who has ever driven one has been thrilled.”

In order to keep the program on course the NPE recommends the following measures:

• Support for the planned R&D projects must be implemented
• Further education of professionals and executives
• Further development of issues around standardization and development of national and international cooperation towards common standards.