Electric mobility & the urban environment; the Schiphol case

Abstract

The introduction of electric mobility is one of the promising options to create a more sustainable mobility system for the future. Electric vehicles offer the promise of major reductions in local CO2, NOX and particulate emissions. In addition, electric vehicles are silent, easy to service and have high ‘well-to-wheel’ energy efficiency. However, the introduction of electric vehicles into society also poses several important challenges. Current electric vehicle technologies have limitations with respect to ease of use, driving range, and time-to-charge, and are relatively expensive. Moreover, the use of electric vehicles requires an adequate charging and electric grid infrastructure, as well as dedicated solutions for vehicle charging and storage that are optimally integrated into the built environment. In this paper the results are presented of a ‘design inclusive research’ project for the introduction of electric vehicles in the urban environment. Researchers & designers from architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and technology assessment were involved. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was a taken as a challenging case. The Schiphol Group has the ambition to develop its properties and business park areas in more sustainable a socially responsible way. Electric mobility is therefore one of the options to consider. The results show that it is possible to create a multifunctional, sustainable and comfortable urban area in which the electric mobility is very well integrated. It even can be stated that the sustainable urban development is becoming more feasible by the clever combination of renewable energy, electricity grid design, inductive Park&Charge and customized electric vehicle services.