First generation electric vehicles are now in series production in small numbers. Authorities and automotive manufacturers have undertaken actions for the diffusion and use of electric vehicles in large scale field trials addressed to the public. All agree to the advantages of electric vehicles in improving quality of life in city centres. Such support might be aimed at reducing the incremental cost over a time period and building customer confidence. These actions will create the guarantee of this market to permit the necessary investments.
Further work is needed especially to sustain the early market.
For example in the field of battery technology developments the work would involve improving battery performance and cost reduction, thus reducing the overall cost of the vehicle. Hybrid Vehicles Electric and chemical energy can provide a synergetic combination of the positive characteristics of both drive systems, and such vehicles are being investigated. The ability to operate in city centres with a limited driving range with emission-free electric propulsion can be combined with long distance travelling on diesel or gasoline fuels. This enables the power train to operate the combustion engine with new control strategies to improve fuel economy and emission levels. Hybrid electric vehicles are more complex than both battery-powered electric and pure internal combustion.