Part of the Energy Agreement of 21 February 2008 on Danish
energy policy for 2008-11 is that DKK 10 mill. per year for 2008-09
and DKK 5 mill. per year for 2010-12 is to be appropriated for a
test scheme for electric cars.
The test scheme
is to generate new specific and practical experience with electric
cars and the required infrastructure. The test scheme may also help
shed light on the opportunities for integrating electric cars as a
flexible storage facility into the Danish electricity system, and
this may both help optimize energy exploitation and help adapt the
system to the fluctuating wind power.
Apart from the fact that battery-powered electric cars can exploit
renewable energy, they also have a very high energy efficiency so
they can further reduce CO2 emissions. Electric cars also
contribute to improving the urban environment with less noise and
no harmful emissions into the air.
The test scheme is to help illustrate the barriers to the spread of
electric cars in practice, as well as illustrate the applications
where electric cars have particular advantages or perspectives.
Finally, the test scheme is to provide knowledge about the
technical, organisational, economic and environmental factors
associated with using, operating and maintaining electric cars. The
initiative will include a number of practical tests as well as
elucidation work and analyses.
The test scheme
will be administered as an open subsidy scheme, and all relevant
actors can submit applications.
The tests are expected to be completed by larger fleet owners with
fleets primarily composed of smaller vehicles, vehicles which are
not used for great distances, as well as vehicles with a pattern of
use which enables recharging.
Funds will be used to support the additional costs incurred by
fleet owners in acquiring electric cars and recharging stations
etc. as well as consultancy fees for analysis, monitoring,
documentation and general knowledge-building.
The first round of applications has been completed and the Danish
Energy Agency, which administers the subsidy scheme, has granted
subsidies of DKK 10 mill. to 17 projects. The projects include a
total of 44 electric vehicles, including cars, vans, minibuses, and
lorries. Subsidies have been granted to two regional authorities,
six municipalities, five private enterprises, two
organisations/associations and one knowledge institution (two
projects).
The next call for project proposals for the test scheme is expected
to be later in 2009.