Low-carbon mobility with renewable fuels – Affordability and accessibility of passenger cars for EU-consumers

In the context of the energy transition of the European Refining industry towards climate neutrality, FuelsEurope commissioned studio Gear Up to study the societal impacts and the consequences of light-duty fleet electrification on access to passenger vehicles for EU citizens. studio Gear Up compared the option of low-carbon liquid fuels in the mix of options for passenger cars and assessed the broader economic impacts of the uptake of low-carbon liquid fuels.

In this research, the Amsterdam-based consultancy looked at how a battery electric vehicle compares with an internal combustion engine vehicle in 16 selected European Member States based on the total cost of ownership. The study’s main outcome is that the GHG impact is relatively modest of the approximately 30 million zero-emission vehicles in Europe for 2030, the number considered by the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. The combined results of the increased efficiency of new internal combustion engine vehicles (Euro 6-engines) and renewable fuels in the mix will have a larger impact. With the instruments set in place, the projected GHG reduction in the road transport sector falls short of the minus 55% target in 2030.

Report’s annex, “Affordability of battery-electric vehicles in the EU, here.