This outlook presents the views of a group of hybrid and electric vehicle experts (IA-HEV) collaborating under the framework of the International Energy Agency (IEA). IA-HEV is the Implementing Agreement for co-operation on Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies and Programmes. The twelve current member countries are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. The participants in the Agreement are governmental bodies and research institutes that are appointed by their governments. This outlook is a synthesis of inputs of IA-HEV member country delegates; it does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of all its individual member countries.

Governmental policy makers and governmental bodies are the main target audience for this outlook, but it is also meant for research institutes working in the area of road transport, energy and environment, and for the energy sector.

This outlook starts with a small recapitulation why hybrid and electric vehicles are currently in focus. Then the car market is discussed, including the role of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and pure electric vehicles (EVs). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), young customers and heavy-duty hybrids as specific topics for the market are elaborated in more detail. Next, the role of costs and the impact of the economic crisis on the outlook is discussed. After briefly addressing the environmental impact of hybrid and electric cars, the public opinion on these vehicles is elaborated. This outlook rounds off with the role of governments in all these issues and governmental possibilities to stimulate the transition towards clean and energy-efficient vehicles such as HEVs, PHEVs and EVs.

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