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ePaper created 2014-06-03, 15:03:20 | version 1.30.01
29 01 RENEWABLES 2014 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT ■■ TRANSPORT SECTOR Renewable energy is currently used in the transport sector in the form of liquid and gaseous biofuels—mainly for light- and heavy- duty road vehicles—and in the form of electricity for trains, light rails, trams, and both two- and four-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs). Liquid biofuels—primarily ethanol and biodiesel (including FAME and HVO i )—account for the largest share of transport fuels derived from renewable energy sources. They meet about 3% of total road-transport fuel demand, and around 2.3% of final liquid fuel demand (and a very small but growing portion of aviation fuels).112 In some countries in Europe, as well as in Brazil and the United States, they represent considerably higher shares.113 The growth of liquid biofuels has been mixed in recent years. Global biofuel production increased again in 2013, after a temporary lull.114 Concerns about using only environmentally and socially sustainable supplies are constraining the rate of growth in some regions. (See Bioenergy section.) Limited but growing quantities of gaseous biofuels (mainly biomethane, which is purified biogas) are fuelling cars, buses, and other vehicles in several EU countries (most notably GermanyandSweden),andinsomecommunitiesinChina,North America, and elsewhere.115 By late 2013, there were almost 700 vehicle filling stations in Europe offering compressed biogas (CBG) blended with natural gas, and nearly 300 stations selling 100% CBG.116 Plans are under way in other regions, including the Middle East and Asia, to develop facilities for biomethane production and vehicle fuelling.117 Electricity is already commonly used to power trains, city transit systems, and an increasing number of electric vehicles including cars, buses, cycles, scooters, and motor bikes.118 Agrowingnumberofinitiativesaimtolinkthesetransportsystems with renewable electricity. Several German cities—including Frankfurt and Nuremberg—rely on renewable electricity to operate their light-rail and subway services, while the German state of Saarland was the first to switch its local rail services to 100% renewable electricity.119 Bogota, Colombia, rolled out South America’s largest all-electric taxi fleet in 2013 and announced plans for a police fleet of 100 electric motorcycles.120 Although electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) still represent a tiny share of overall automobile markets, they are making a strong entry in several countries, such as Norway, where as of early 2014, more EVs than conventional vehicles were sold each month.121 In the United States, more than 8,000 electric charging stations were operating by the end of 2013.122 Many towns with 100% renewable energy goals have adopted EVs as part of their energy plans.123 Sweden aims for a fossil fuel- free vehicle fleet by 2030, with road vehicles powered primarily by biofuels or electricity, and the promotion of walking, cycling, and public transport as a further step towards Sweden’s vision for an energy supply system with zero net atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.124 In addition, hybrid transportation options also are emerging, such as electric-diesel and biodiesel-natural gas buses.125 Many of these developments, along with rapid advances in related technologies, are increasing the role of electricity in the transport sector and raising the possibility to use vehicle batteries to store power in support of variable renewables in future “smart-grids.”126 i - Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO). See Glossary for more information.