The role of electromobility for a climate-friendly EU: an analysis of passenger transportation

Currently, the European transport sector causes many challenges for the environment. The increasing use of motor vehicles generates environmental problems that worsen global warming and increase energy consumption and air pollution. In particular, this master thesis deals with the emerging problem of an increase in greenhouse gas emissions by the European transport sector. European transport emissions accounted for more than a quarter of the EU´s greenhouse gas emissions in 2016, with road transportation being the main source of CO2 emissions. Therefore, developing alternative drive technologies – such as electric vehicles – are necessary to reduce the burden that the European transport sector places on the environment. In the context of this master thesis the main goal is to analyse the potential role of electromobility in diminishing the climate impact of the European transport sector. Assuming higher penetration levels of electric vehicles in the future, both the European power sector and the transport sector will be affected. Europe´s power system will be confronted with an increased electricity demand and a resulting change in the European electricity-generation mix.