Today, urban areas are faced with major environment-and traffic-related problems. Electric vehicles are able to bring a contribution to the solution of these problems; currently available electric vehicles are well suited for the typical speed and range characteristics shown by cars and vans operating in towns and cities. Cities are thus likely to be the first large-scale operation theatre for electric vehicles, whether for municipal use, for public transport or as private vehicles. A growing number of European cities are united into CITELEC (European association of cities interested in electric vehicles) to study the opportunities for the introduction of electric vehicles, to share common experiences and to follow up developments. CITELEC informs and assists its members in the introduction and exploitation of electric vehicles; furthermore, it is organizing realistic test demonstrations of electric vehicles in urban traffic ('Twelve Electric Hours') and performs studies on different aspects of the introduction of electric vehicles in cities: user's requirements, battery charging, energy distribution, infrastructure, safety aspects, and others. The paper will present the Association and its activities, focusing on current and future developments in European cities.
Electric vehicles in city traffic
Even with the advanced battery and drive technology available today, electric vehicles are still considered as slow performers with limited range. This deters many