Global Pathways to Net-Zero: Behavioral, Social, and Technological Research and Innovation Strategies for Transportation Decarbonization; Summary of the Seventh EU-U.S. Transportation Research Symposium: Proceedings of a Symposium (2024)
Chapter: Appendix B: Briefing Paper on Exploratory Topic 1: Accelerating the Transition to Electrification and Alternative Fuels
Appendix B
Briefing Paper on Exploratory Topic 1: Accelerating the Transition to Electrification and Alternative Fuels
Chris Hendrickson, Carnegie Mellon University, United States
Gereon Meyer, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Germany
The drive toward decarbonizing transport presents the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU) with complex research challenges as they aim to shift toward carbon-neutral energy production, reliable energy storage and transfer systems, and the widespread adoption of zero-emission modes of transportation—particularly for road vehicles, from e-bikes and scooters through passenger cars to heavy trucks. The integration of renewable electricity sources into the grid to support a growing fleet of electric vehicles is a primary concern, necessitating advancements in smart-charging technologies to optimize energy use and enable vehicle-to-grid capabilities. Concurrently, the energy efficiency of electric vehicles is being improved through innovations such as lightweight design and better batteries, while circular economy approaches are considered another promising path to decarbonization by optimizing the energy and resource usage. Moreover, interoperable roadside infrastructures for both private and commercial electric vehicles are to be further developed. In addition, the European Union continues to expand its already robust rail network electrification.
The exploration of alternative fuels is pivotal to the transition toward low- or zero-emission vehicles, with hydrogen emerging as a key player in aviation, maritime transport, and long-haul trucking across both regions. While the United States also delves into the potential of biofuels, the European Union is more focused on synthetic fuels, committing to extensive life-cycle analyses to assess their environmental viability and climate footprint. The potential of fuel cells, particularly for heavy-duty transport, is being tapped into, with both regions seeking cost-effective solutions through novel catalyst materials.
In a bid to create greener ports and airports, significant research efforts are being directed toward the electrification of ground support equipment and the use of alternative fuels for aircraft and ships. The pursuit of interoperable technological solutions and the formulation of international standards are also critical, with the European Union favoring regulatory measures while the United States leans on market-driven approaches. This extends to the adoption of automation and intelligent transportation systems that promise enhanced efficiency and safety in the transport sector.
At the forefront of energy solutions are next-generation battery technologies, a field where both regions compete to achieve higher energy densities, faster charging capabilities, and sustainable life cycles. Additionally,
inductive charging technology is making headway, with the U.S. testing it for personal vehicles and the European Union for public transportation and trucks.
Both the United States and the European Union recognize the profound impact of these technological advances. They are working toward integrating them into a coherent, efficient, and sustainable transport system that appeals to users and is easily accessible. At the same time, they support the shift to greener and cleaner modes while acknowledging citizens’ desire for a fair distribution of urban space. In this endeavor, methods that involve collaborative design and stakeholder participation are becoming increasingly crucial. Despite the variance in their methods, a mutual commitment to fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport sector is propelling forward-thinking and cooperative efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.
The following sections present key questions to consider for discussion during the symposium.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Which powertrain and fuel or energy source option should be chosen for which mode in order to maximize decarbonization effects?
- How can energy efficiency of vehicle operations be optimized and rebound effects be avoided?
- How should fuel or energy priorities reflect the specific challenges of transport decarbonization within the varied geographic and socioeconomic landscapes of the United States and the European Union?
- How can we overcome behavioral barriers to vehicle electrification in the different modes?
- What are the key considerations for ensuring that new transport decarbonization technologies are user-friendly and meet the needs of diverse populations?
- How can citizens be motivated to shift to cleaner and greener modes?
- How can infrastructure development for charging/hydrogen/alternative fuels be promoted, and which side effects of it should be considered?
- What can be done to make life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles traceable in a (globally) harmonized way?
CURRENT STRATEGIES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
- How can we accelerate research and innovation in batteries, fuel cells, and alternative fuel production?
- Which drop in battery costs and increase in energy density can be expected over time?
- Which incentives and regulations (for alternative fuels, vehicle electrification, charging stations, etc.) have been successful for the various transport modes in the European Union and the United States?
- How can we encourage the creation of less costly, yet still sustainable, supply chains for batteries?
- How can alternative fuels be improved in terms of cost and supply?
- What is the best business model for public charging stations? Can charging station reservation systems help the deployment of electric mobility?
- What is the effect of vehicle electrification on the power grid? Is smart charging desirable? And, bidirectional?
- How do case studies from the United States and the European Union inform the scalability and transferability of transport decarbonization technologies across different modes, operational modes, and regions?
- How can the long-term sustainability and performance of emerging transport decarbonization technologies be estimated and evaluated?
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
- How can social factors—such as equity in access, fair distribution of space, and affordability—be considered in the development, prioritization, and implementation of technology paths for transport decarbonization?
- In the pursuit of transport decarbonization, how do we balance or trade off technological advancement with the need to protect and sustain the environment in the different modes?
- How can more efficient operations and the shift to cleaner options be fostered in the different modes?
- How can the competition between carbon sequestration and biofuels be solved?
- How can we lower the user cost or raise the customer value of electric vehicles?
- What strategies can be employed to foster public acceptance and promote behavior change toward decarbonized transport options?
- How does global access to resources, raw materials, and the supply of critical components (such as precious metals or semiconductor chips) influence the viability of technology options for decarbonized transportation and fuels?
NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES OR OPPORTUNITIES
- What specific technologies, processes, and materials are critical for reducing the carbon footprint of transportation means and infrastructures in the different modes?
- What battery chemistries will be competitive in 5 years or 10 years?
- What new pathways can be deployed in 5 years or 10 years to produce inexpensive low-carbon alternative fuels?
- What alternative pathways of vehicle development (e.g., in terms of size, weight, or battery size) could significantly reduce energy consumption and thus GHG emissions?
- What role could digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, or mobility data spaces play to fully exploit the potentials for decarbonization in transport?
- Does automation of road transportation increase or decrease the energy intensity of cars?
- How can shifts to cleaner and greener modes be promoted and facilitated with digital tools?
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS
- How do technological, societal, economic, legal, and human factors interact in hindering or accelerating the adoption of zero-emission transportation solutions in the various modes?
- How does the decarbonization of transportation depend on decisions in the energy sector?
- Is there a resistance to developing electric vehicles, and if yes, why and by whom?
- Are there any particular safety issues of heavy or light electric vehicles?
- How does the decarbonization of transportation systems affect their resilience?
- How can costs and benefits of decarbonization in transportation be monetized?
- How can the United States and the European Union jointly contribute to setting global standards for decarbonization and circularity of transportation means and their technologies and how can that drive global change and facilitate international trade and cooperation?
- Can we introduce international standards for charging hardware?
- What roles do education and workforce development play in preparing for the decarbonization of the transport sector?
- How can communication and outreach be optimized to engage all stakeholders, from industry to end users, in the support and adoption of transport decarbonization technologies and mode shifts?
CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK
- What role can electrification and alternative fuels play to achieve net-zero emissions from transportation by 2050?
- Which are the accelerators, and which are the hurdles?
- What trends will become relevant, and which uncertainties remain?
- Which are the most pressing research needs?
- Which are the opportunities of transatlantic collaborations, and where are the bottlenecks?
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