Faced with widespread public scepticism about the benefits of all-electric cars, Germany’s government is stepping up efforts to get more zero-emission vehicles on the roads. Berlin had pledged a target of 1 million all-electrics and hydrogen-powered cars on German highways by 2020, but sales of zero-emission cars are in the doldrums. Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told a conference in Berlin that with new measures coming on stream, the target could still be achieved. The government has announced a plan to spend a further 161 million euros (182 million dollars) between 2016 on 2018 on hydrogen and fuel-cell technology. A network of 50 hydrogen refuelling stations is also in the pipeline. By 2023 this number will rise to 350. Dobrindt had already announced a scheme to install fast-charging units for electric cars at 400 locations nationwide by 2017.
The CTC Network promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries.
