Publications

Skip Navigation Links.
Recently Published
Expand per documenttypeper documenttype
Collapse per Unitper Unit
Expand Business DevelopmentBusiness Development
Expand Biomass & Energy EfficiencyBiomass & Energy Efficiency
Collapse Policy StudiesPolicy Studies
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1977
Expand Corporate CommunicationsCorporate Communications
Expand CorporateCorporate
Expand Environment & Energy EngineeringEnvironment & Energy Engineering
Expand Program DevelopmentProgram Development
Expand Quality Safety Health and EnvironmentQuality Safety Health and Environment
Expand Strategy & PlanningStrategy & Planning
Expand Wind EnergyWind Energy
Expand Solar EnergySolar Energy
Expand per Clusterper Cluster

Search for publications:


Limit search to the fields

ECN publication
Title:
Electric vehicles in urban areas: A case-study for Amsterdam: social acceptance, environmental effects, and the consequences for electricity ; production and distribution.
 
Author(s):
Hilten, O. van; Bais, J.M.; Kant, A.D.
 
Published by: Publication date:
ECN Policy Studies 1992
 
ECN report number: Document type:
ECN-C--92-084 ECN publication
 
Number of pages: Full text:
133 Download PDF  

Abstract:
As part of the "Electric Drive Systems (EDS)" programme of the European Community, a study has been carried out concerning the effects of a large scale introduction of electric vehicles in the city of Amsterdam on the environment and on electricity distribution and production. The study is based on a detailed investigation of car traffic on a working day in Amsterdam. It is assumed that in principle all cars which regularly drive in Amsterdam can be replaced by an electric vehicle. Several scenario’s, with market shares ranging from 20 to 80%, are developed to describe the possible effects. The effects on the local environment are calculated using the so-called CAR-model (Calculation of Air pollution by Road traffic), by which concentrations of CO, benzene, NO2 and black smoke can be determined. Calculations for the year 2000 show that the legal limits of CO are met everywhere. With regard to benzene, NO2 and black smoke, large scale introduction of electric vehicles reduces the total street length exceeding legal limits considerably, especially for benzene and black smoke. The effects on noise pollution are less significant, since only electric buses and trucks reduce the average noise level. With regard to electricity distribution it is concluded that in the future load management will be essential, in order to avoid capacity problems in the local grid. The opportunities for (fast) charging during daytime are limited. It is furthermore concluded that electric vehicles will be much cleaner than internal combustion engined cars, despite drastic improvements of the latter. The reason is that electricity production will also become much cleaner than today, even if the role of nuclear energy and renewables is very small. Finally, the social acceptance of electric vehicles by inhabitants of the inner city is measured by means of a questionnaire. Although the attitude of most citizens is positive, it is recognized that electric vehicles are not the solution for all traffic problems.


Back to List