The global trend towards clean and energy efficient vehicles is driven by concerns regarding
the impacts of fossil fuel based road transport on energy security, climate change and public
health. Particularly electrification is understood as providing a potential multitude of
opportunities for the use of energy from renewable sources and to reduce local emissions
and (well-to-wheel) green house gas emissions like no other. At the same time, further
improvements of conventional power trains and logistics are expected to significantly
contribute to clean and energy efficient transport in a complementary manner.

This paper summarizes a series of indications that the members of the Ad-Hoc Industrial
Advisory Group for the PPP European Green Cars Initiative agree on concerning the
priorities of the European Commission in support of clean and energy efficient vehicles over
the coming decade. It is based on the multi-annual and cross-sector implementation plan of
the European Roadmap Electrification of Road Transport jointly presented by the European
Technology Platforms ERTRAC, EPoSS and SmartGrids in late 2009. R&D priorities are
proposed and reference is made to the need for complementary manufacturing capacities,
infrastructures and deployment measures, and standardisation. Moreover, a common
understanding of large potentials for efficiency gains in conventional power trains and
logistics is taken into account.

The primary focus of this paper is to provide advice regarding public policy actions
addressing technology development and, where market uptake of innovation is concerned,
some measures are also suggested.

This statement is meant mainly to provide a response to Question 6 of the European
Commission’s Public Consultation to prepare a communication about the future strategy for
clean and energy efficient vehicles. It includes suggestions for a number of dedicated
lighthouse projects.

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