Suitability of Commercial Transport for a Shift to Electric Mobility with Denmark and Germany as Use Cases

Abstract

This paper identifies commercial sectors suitable for a shift to electric mobility in Denmark and Germany. Furthermore, policies to promote the use of electric vehicles are discussed. The paper concludes that the Construction, Health care service and Other service sectors are the most suitable ones for electric mobility because many vehicles are registered in these sectors and daily mileage is reasonably low. They should be primary target groups of specific policy measures to promote the use of electric vehicles. Both Denmark and Germany have incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles. Nevertheless, electric vehicles do generally not show economic benefits unless travel distance is high. However, today the travel range of large vans is an important barrier for electrification due to the battery weight and the limitation of 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight for driving with a normal driving license. The rule needs amendments for electric vehicles as has been done in Germany. The paper recommends EU countries to follow the German rule allowing EVs up to 4.25 tons to be driven with a licence class B and thereby potentially create a market for big vans with long travel range.