The potential for electric cars in the U.K.: Lessons from California

摘要

The preceding sections have summarised the results of a study tour to California undertaken by the author in February 1997. The purpose of the tour was to collate information about current research activities in electric vehicles in a region where ZEVs will be required to be in use by law. The 'ZEV mandate' enacted and recently modified by CARB has provided a unique opportunity for the accelerated development and use. of electric vehicles in California. Consequently, significant research efforts have been expended in addressing the major obstacles and opportunities presented by the mandate. Such efforts have potential implications for policy-making in the U.K. and Europe. Technological research has been accelerated by the mandate such that advanced battery systems with longer ranges and lifetimes are expected to become commercially available in the near future. Charging infrastructure requirements are now being standardised with the 'VHS/Betamax' debate coming to a resolution on the side of inductive 'paddle' chargers, and the provision of domestic wall-chargers to EV users.