Malta National Electromobility Action Plan
November 2013 Malta National Electromobility Platform
MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Contents
The Malta National Electromobility Action Plan November 2013
Foreword 4
1. A New Beginning; the Electrification of Transport in Malta 9
2. Electromobility: Challenges, Potential and Goals 15 Challenges, Potential and Goals 16 Definition of Electromobility 21 Unlocking the Potential of Electromobility 21 Hydrogen Technology 22 Energy Efficiency of Electric Vehicles 23 BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle 23
3. Climate and Environment Protection 25
4. National Policy Framework for the Development of Alternative Fuels 35 Infrastructure and Human Resources Build-up Infrastructure 36 Human Resources Build-up 36 Market Entry 38 SWAT Analysis 39
5. The Malta National Electromobility Platform 41 MNEP Objectives 43 Organising the MNEP 43
6. Showcasing Electromobility 47 The Demo-EV Project 49 The PORT-PVEV Project 52
7. The Malta National Electromobility Action Plan 57 Goals of the MNEAP 58 The Action Plan 58 Rollout of the Action Plan 60
Abbreviations Used 74
Photography courtesy of Peter Paul Barbara
3 Foreword
According to the latest National Greenhouse funding mechanisms that fit the current MNEP is a joint initiative between the Gas Emissions Inventory for Malta 2013, financial situation. Small significant Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure road transport currently accounts for 16.9% steps will be taken in line with the overall and Transport Malta. Besides the of the total greenhouse gas emissions Government commitment to bring its promotion of electromobility in Malta, generated in Malta.1 This Government finds finances back in order. the role of the MNEP is to oversee the this figure alarming and unacceptable. It is implementation of the Action Plan the aim of this Government, therefore, to In this respect, and in the coming years, through various projects and initiatives work towards making transport in Malta Government will incentivise the uptake of that will further the electrification of environmentally sustainable. electric cars through a series of measures, transport, even beyond the introduction of one of which is a substantial grant for those new battery electric vehicles in Malta. To achieve this, Government has placed the individuals and companies who want to electrification of Maltese transport as one scrap their current car and purchase a Government believes that the attainment of its main pillars in its transport policy. As Battery Electric Vehicle. Through these of Malta’s environment and energy was indicated in the 2014 Budget Speech, measures, and others which will follow, targets will only be possible through a Government will also be studying the Government wants to send the right mix of different measures intended to suit feasibility of additional transport services signals that it is supporting electromobility different uses of various types of energies. which, so far, were not considered by in a concrete manner. Transport will follow suit. It will be a mix previous administrations. We believe that and match of different propulsion systems; an underground system, light rail, monorail To show its commitment, Government will it will make use of different types of and other related services intended for be leading by example. As of next year, energies which will contribute towards the mass transit might greatly improve the we will embark upon a gradual process electrification of transport. This is in line efficiency of public transport in Malta. of changing the current vehicle fleet to a with how technology is being developed. However, we also want transport to be much cleaner and energy-efficient one. Government intends to start introducing cleaner, less polluting. It is to achieve this and demonstrating such systems in aim that Government will be looking into This Government will not stop here, however. specific areas where this technology can be introducing the concept of the polluter- easily implemented. pays-principle in the transport sector. To further show the extent of its commitment Through this principle, both transport towards electromobility, the Government is In addition, the Government is also users and transport operators would be launching two important initiatives. looking closely at the use of electricity incentivised to opt for cleaner transport. in other transport modes, including The first is the Malta National waterborne transport and related The Electrification of transport will be Electromobility Action Plan (MNEAP). maritime infrastructure. This is in line with implemented in a planned and phased The Action Plan will be up for public the latest proposal for an EU Directive manner. Introducing measures based consultation and it encourages the on Clean Power for Transport where on the polluter-pays-principle without participation of the widest possible specific and mandatory targets are being introducing alternative solutions, or indeed spectrum of stakeholders; from those who negotiated between the EU Commission without first installing the necessary regulate transport to those who operate and Member States. infrastructure, will not be justifiable. it and make use of it. We would like Transport users must be given a fair choice. everybody to contribute to this document, This was not a reactive measure however, because transport belongs to everyone. but a pre-emptive one. Government has In line with this policy, Government intends pre-empted the EU Commission when it to introduce a number of measures Secondly, to ensure that the objectives comes to the now mandatory requirement and incentives that compliment both of the Electromomobility Action Plan to consider ‘on-shore supply technology’ photovoltaic technology and the evolving are reached – and that the Plan is for vessels berthed in harbours. Transport technology in Battery Electric Vehicles. effectively implemented – Government Malta, through the OP Italia-Malta funded The Government will spend wisely and is officially launching the Malta National PORT-PVEV project, is already drawing up according to its means with a mix of Electromobility Platform (MNEP). The such a study. Transport Malta will assess
1 Malta Resources Authority, 2013; National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Malta 2013. Annual Report for submission under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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if and where on-shore supply technology can be implemented in order to improve air quality and noise emissions within maritime port areas. Through another EU Funded project - the D-Air Project - Transport Malta is also drawing up the carbon footprint of the Airport and its ancillary activities and listing measures by which the existing carbon footprint can be substantially reduced.
This way of doing policy is reflected in the manner in which the MNEP will operate. Besides facilitating market entry for the new technologies being introduced in Europe, this Action Plan will also make it a point to recognise, and learn from all the efforts that are being made by our European partners; be they Governments, European Policy Makers as well as the automotive industry itself.
As is the case whenever a new technology is put on the market, it is expected that in the following few years, there will be rapid technological advancement and mega cities. Malta’s size and the The fact that electric vehicles are to be followed by increased economic short distances travelled eliminates propelled by a silent electric motor means development. To this effect, Government the issue of range anxiety. A full charge that this technology will also greatly wants to ensure that through this Action can last the average Maltese driver a reduce traffic generated noise pollution. Plan, and the measures it will introduce, whole day. Moreover, Malta’s ample it instils the necessary climate which will sunshine makes solar energy as the In considering how to achieve our aim see the introduction of these technologies obvious choice in generating electricity of making transport sustainable, we in Malta, in a phased and yet sustainable from renewable means to achieve have considered the benefits that manner. It is in the interest of Malta to keep carbon-neutral transport. We believe this technology will bring to Malta. up with the same pace as other countries. that electromobility is an ideal and We’ve considered and we’ve decided; Failure to do so is not an option. sustainable solution for our country. electromobility is our preferred choice. Now make it yours. The choice by the automotive industry Malta’s environmental commitments are to invest first in Battery Electric Vehicles not the only reason why the Government and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles has decided to support the electrification is mainly due to their high energy of transport, especially road transport. efficiency, and because they can easily be The fact that these vehicles do not emit charged at home and through renewable any harmful pollutants from the exhaust sources of energy. This perfectly suits tail pipe means that air quality will be the Maltese scenario. In fact, when it greatly improved by the removal of comes to electromobility, Malta has traffic related emissions for the benefit Hon Joe Mizzi MP an advantage over larger countries of our citizens. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
5 Transport Malta believes that one way to address the current problems relating to transport and the environment is by deploying concepts and technologies which are on the market; technologies which are state of the art, tried and tested and which can be implemented in the Maltese context. One such concept and its related technology is electromobility.
Transport Malta has always supported the development, introduction and deployment of electromobility in Malta. Evidence of this is the Authority’s full support and participation in pioneering demonstration projects, such as Demo-EV and PORT-PVEV, the aim of which is to introduce and showcase the use and deployment of electric vehicles as well as the installation of nationwide charging infrastructure for public use.
We plan to keep developing electromobility in Malta and this is why the Authority’s support is fully behind the Malta Electromobility Platform and Action Plan. To this affect, Transport Malta has already allocated resources, including personnel solely dedicated on the management and coordination of the latter.
Transport Malta’s support of the Government’s vision goes even further. The Authority believes that it can be conducive towards the Government’s forthcoming Green Economy to which transport will be a major contributor. Transport Malta will also contribute towards the Government’s policy to promote the country as a large-scale laboratory for the testing of technologies which are on the verge of market entry. In this way, Malta will be exposed to new technologies, advancements in research and development projects in line with the rest of the EU Member States.
This is why Transport Malta will do its utmost to ensure the successful achievement of the goals embedded within the Malta National Electromobility Platform.
James Piscopo Chairman and CEO Transport Malta
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The Malta National Electromobility Action Plan is an ambitious endeavor, compiled after intense consultation with stakeholders and experts in the field of transport and electromobility; particularly with the international automotive industry. The starting point of this Plan was an evaluation of the problems existing in our national road transport sector and an assessment of the environmental targets which Malta has committed itself to achieving which, in the last few years, were left to deteriorate. Only after a full assessment of the latter, and consultation with the right stakeholders, did the Action Plan lay out its concrete road-map which is being proposed today.
The Action Plan has sought to study the deployment of electromobility in other EU Member States, the problems that were encountered and how these were tackled. By learning from the efforts made by other Member States, the team has sought to convert these efforts to fit the Maltese context, keeping in mind the Government’s goals and commitments.
The Action Plan foresees the implementation of concrete projects, programmes and measures by which Malta will contribute to its European and International environmental obligations. One such obligation is that Malta is committed to put 5,000 Battery Electric Vehicles on the road by 2020. Before now, a concrete action plan of how this was to be achieved was lacking. In fact, interim indicative targets have already been missed. This proposed Action Plan addresses the targets in hand with a number of projects and measures which have been planned and budgeted, and possible funding sources identified. The Action Plan does not only contribute to the number of BEVs on the road by 2020, but also addresses the deployment of the respective different types of infrastructure nationwide.
For the Action Plan to succeed, all stakeholders must be on board, both from within the public sector and the private sector. This is why the Action Plan and the National Electromobility Platform is involving all the stakeholders from its inception. This is an ambitious plan, but one which holds great promise for our country.
Peter Paul Barbara National Coordinator Malta National Electromobility Platform and Intelligent Transport Systems
7
1. A New Beginning; the Electrification of Transport in Malta 1. A New Beginning; the Electrification of Transport in Malta
During the last six months, the Ministry at national level has to come from to reduce the negative transport for Transport and Infrastructure renewable energy sources. environmental externalities for the together with Transport Malta have benefit of all residents; especially those pooled their resources to come up Additional targets emanating from the living in urban cores. with a comprehensive plan of action Air Quality Framework Directive3 and the to put land transport in Malta on track Environmental Noise Directive4 must also Additional short-term targets must also to environmental sustainability while be addressed. be met. By 2020, Malta must put on the addressing a number of EU obligations road 5,000 Battery Electric Vehicles. that Malta must fulfill under the 2020 This National Action Plan has put the Furthermore at a European level, Climate Change and Energy Package. achievement of the above mentioned mandatory targets for the deployment targets as its main goal. By implementing of related infrastructure are currently By 2020, Malta is obliged to limit its a gradual and phased policy for the being discussed. greenhouse gas emissions increase to electrification of transport (addressing just 5% compared to 2005 recorded both private and public mobility), and The current Administration is also levels.2 By the same year, a share of by building upon existing Plans and keeping in mind future EU-targets. The 10% of all transport fuels consumed Measures, this Action Plan will contribute latest European Transport Policy White
2 DECISION No 406/2009/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 April 2009 on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020 3 Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe 4 Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise - Declaration by the Commission in the Conciliation Committee on the Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise
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Paper (Road-Map to a Single European of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure phasing in the new technology from Transport Area – Towards a Competitive (COM2013/18)) the EU Commission an early stage; despite the fact that and Resource Efficient Transport System) is proposing compulsory targets for conventional vehicles will continue to published in March 2011 suggests specific Member States on the installation of be used in the medium and long-term. targets for the total phasing out of the alternative fuels infrastructure, including Through this policy, Malta will be giving Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle those supporting Battery Electric the right signals that it will support the from European urban centres by 2050, Vehicles by 2020. international efforts currently underway with interim phasing-out targets proposed to bring about a change in the way we for 2030. As part of another recently Although some of these objectives look at future transportation systems proposed EU Directive (Proposal for a are long-term, the Government has while still keeping in mind the Maltese Directive of the European Parliament decided to start addressing the eventual ‘Car Culture’ and the need to bring about and of the Council on the Deployment (and inevitable) changeover by slowly a gradual change in this culture.
11 The Electrification of Transport in Malta Government is supporting electromobility, To lessen range anxiety, the Government When future plans for deploying a not because it is being forced to do so is in the process of installing a National National Multimodal Journey Planner by the EU, but because electromobility Electric Car Charging Network which will are in effect, an electric vehicle owner and the electrification of transport provide Battery Electric Vehicle users will be able to access in-car information presents us with the right solutions for the possibility to charge their car using on other modes of transport such as bus our country’s needs and context. publicly accessible car charging points in schedules when using one of the public specific and prominent parking spaces Park and Ride facilities. It will give the It is only a matter of time until personal across Malta and Gozo and which will be driver real time information on parking mobility will dramatically change over connected together through a network. space availability in public car parks. From the next couple of decades, where new It is expected that once the number of a driver-passenger safety point of view, types of vehicles and new propulsion Electric Vehicles increases, private car parks real-time information on road flooding systems will start to gain more ground will also offer electric car charging services. during bad weather will also be accessible. and become more integrated into ICT- To make sure that the proper infrastructure based Intelligent Transport Systems is put in place, new applications for These changes are already visible on the (ITS); where vehicles will start to ‘talk to residential complexes and commercial market. After intensive investment in each other’ and where vehicles will have premises would need to cater for a number Research and Development, the market is two-way communications with the road of car-charging points. now coming up with vehicles specifically designed for battery propulsion; with carbon fibre replacing materials currently used for the structure of conventional vehicles. This has made the electric car lighter and more efficient. As battery and motor technology improve, the car will continue to become more energy-efficient. While vehicles and road infrastructure continue to become more integrated and personalized, and built around the ‘User lifestyle’, we must continue to improve transport efficiency and environmental sustainability.
This situation will be addressed in the short term and with utmost urgency.
infrastructure. Even the shape of the car The current deployment of a nationwide as we know it today will change to be Intelligent Traffic Management System able to support future propulsion systems in Malta will also enable Electric Vehicle which will not necessitate the current owners to have full real-time traffic bulkiness and structural materials needed congestion updates and, in parallel by the cars of today. with a GPS based navigation systems, a driver can make changes to a journey by To increase appeal for market uptake, accessing real time information on less the vehicle of tomorrow will be a ‘trendy’ congested road sections. and ‘fashionable’ item, marketed for the younger generation of drivers, an item The Ministry for Transport and which is a ‘must-have’ with a number of Infrastructure has just launched a web- built-in nomadic devices such as integrated based interface which can be accessible mobile technology including the use of over a smart phone through which a different smart phone applications. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) user can pre-book a public car-charging point to As of today, a Battery Electric Vehicle owner see which car ports are occupied. The can already use such smart applications use of this infrastructure will be possible to interact with his/her car. Checking the by registering an account with the car status of the vehicle’s battery charge, charging network operator. This will climatising the car before even entering the also enable access to the infrastructure vehicle from a smart phone, are options through the use of a personalized RFID already available on the market. card for the purchase of electricity.
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13
2. Electromobility: Challenges, Potential and Goals 2. Electromobility: Challenges, Potential and Goals
Challenges
Against this scenario, the challenges range issue, we must remain focused on electromobility is a success story. In and disadvantages that electromobility what Malta’s needs are, what suits us the light of the above, we must make is facing in bigger countries such as and the overall benefits that Malta will sure that electromobility is also pushed Germany, France, Spain, the UK and stand to gain from this technology. It is in other countries by giving the right Italy, stem mainly due to range and the counter argument of why supercars signals to the industry to keep up with range anxiety issues of the battery are not the ideal vehicles to be used in their endeavor in making Battery Electric when BEVs are driven for long distances Malta due to our short road sections and Vehicles (BEVs) more efficient, more outside the urban cores; a problem distance travelled. sustainable and, above all, available at which Maltese drivers will not have due a price that is affordable to consumers. to the short distances travelled in Malta. For once, in the transportation sector, there is a technology that suits our Although criticism against BEVs is needs, and therefore we must make mainly centered around the battery sure that from a global perspective,
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Key Challenges of Electromobility
The building of the necessary infrastructure some of the key challenges that have to be To avoid the ‘chicken and egg situation’ for the Battery Electric Vehicle such as addressed. However, as the case of when whereby local car importers might not have the deployment of a national electric a new technology is introduced on the been interested in exploring BEV imports car charging network, a change in driving market, the cost of the new technology is due to the lack of public infrastructure, the habits such as journey planning, public generally only higher when compared to the Government took the initiative and instead acceptance of the new technology, the older one until the necessary economies of of waiting for the private sector to invest higher cost of Battery Electric Vehicles and scale in the production process are reached. in the technology, started the deployment the devising of different business models At the moment however, the higher cost for itself. This method of action reflects the from those we are accustomed to, are BEVs remain the most challenging. direction being taken at EU level.
Key challenges for Car Manufacturers and R&D Opportunities
It is a fact that technological products • A higher energy and/or power density for systems that work by induction, embedded and other commodities on the market are batteries is needed, almost double the under the road surface at normal traffic continuously subject to innovation brought current lithium-ion batteries. An energy bottle necks; about by research and development. density of 200 Wh/kg is being targeted This applies to everything under the sun, so that this permits longer distance range • Put in place improved safety features for from home and industrial appliances to for BEVs. To be able to compete with the user; telecommunication devices, computers and conventional vehicles the density required improved energy efficiency in conventional will need to go up even to 1,000 Wh/kg; • Adaptation of power generation and cars, to name just a few. BEVs are no different supply to the new technology such as as car manufacturers will strive to make these • A battery that has a higher cycle stability improved load management; more efficient and cheaper in price. and longer service life than the current 8-9 year life cycle, to meet the longer life cycle • The combination and availability of It is the Government’s intention to promote of the shell and the motor of the BEV; renewable energy plants such as solar Malta as a test bed for research and farms where there are large fleets development in aspects relating to • Improve charging time of batteries with of BEVs. electromobility especially in view of the shorter charging durations; fact that a lot of research and development Another advantage of using additional still needs to be carried out to make Electric • Improve further energy efficiency; storage components could be gained through Vehicles more efficient and cheaper. improved load management strategies and • Further research in motor design to the rapid provision of reserve power, to the Some of the challenges that still need to improve performance and efficiency; benefit of overall power supply efficiency. be addressed in electromobility are listed below. Government feels that Malta, which • Further research in the integration of the • Charging energy storage units: Advanced may be considered as a large laboratory test motor with conventional combustion solutions based on information and bed due to its geographical particularities, engines for range extension in highways, communication technologies (ICT) are can contribute to. until BEVs are capable to have their range needed here to avoid charging bottlenecks. extended and charging times become Control and billing systems must also • High Battery costs are one of the main quicker to acceptable waiting times as include micro users; reasons why the Battery Electric Vehicle is in conventional refueling; a solution still more expensive to manufacture than which might be provided by introducing • Charging and discharging storage units: conventional vehicles. Hence lower battery Hydrogen in the equation; Compensating for the fluctuation effects of costs are required for improved market renewable energies through intermediate penetration of BEVs. Currently, storage • Improve the structure of the shell and storage requires regulatory and control capacity costs an average of €1,100 per kWh chassis layout to make BEVs lighter using mechanisms at medium and low voltages; of storage which means that for a small stronger yet lighter materials, so as to reduce BEV with a 90 – 100 km range, battery the overall weight of the vehicle and make • Advanced information and communication storage costs on the European market are it more energy efficient which in turn would technologies need to be applied to ensure at an average of €12,500. To make market extend the range per charge; the continuity of load supply, avoid adverse penetration, the cost of battery storage operating states in power station and grid must come down to approximately €400 • Integration of the BEV with the electricity components and reduce balancing and per kWh; grid by, for example, introducing charging reserve capacities.
17 Potential In order to address the challenges laid infrastructure. Moreover, this project has with members of the private sector out above, we must start to re-think enabled the Government to purchase its who come forward with innovative and mobility. For example, can car sharing first fleet of Electric Vehicles, which, after sustainable solutions as well as research be part of the solution? Is it still being used for demonstration purposes related projects through which green economically viable to own one or two of the project, will be retained for use and jobs can be created. This will be part of a vehicles? Is it more feasible to share extended demonstration purposes as part Government’s commitment to create a the second vehicle rather than own it? of the government general vehicle fleet. Green Economy for Malta. Or better still, is it still feasible to own a vehicle in the first place when one can The same goes for the PORT-PVEV project This is being done not only to provide the share a vehicle? Is it time to start looking funded by the EU’s OP Italia-Malta 2007- right market signals to the international at other forms of public transport that 2013 Territorial Cooperation Programme. automotive industry but also, and above is public and yet still gives some sort of This project will be introducing the latest all, to encourage local car importers to ‘personal/private’ mobility? Is it time to Solar Charging Car Ports which will be start preparing themselves for the switch; start shifting private cars underground deployed in and around our port areas and to invest in the technology and prepare to give more accessibility to public thus laying down the foundations for the a programme of re-training of their transport above ground? Is it time to implementation of similar infrastructure employees to have the necessary skills thus seriously start thinking of introducing in the future. enabling the country to prepare itself with light rail? It is for this reason that the necessary competence and vocational the Government will commission a Through these two projects, the proficiency which is currently lacking. feasibility and options analyses for the Government has already started to introduction of an underground, rail and slowly change its fleet from the use of Malta cannot afford to fall behind the rest monorail system. conventional vehicles to more eco-friendly of the European Member States. Malta vehicles. Government is set to continue has to be a prime advocate and mover of Most of the above will fall under in this direction by participating in such the new technology, not just because of the remit of the Malta National projects, be they EU-funded or otherwise, the various environmental targets that it Electromobility Platform (MNEP), the including entry into Private Public has to achieve, but, above all, because it main role of which is to promote the Partnerships with those companies who believes that electromobility is beneficial introduction, the facilitation of market are ready for the switch. Government will for Malta; beneficial for energy providers entry and public acceptance of Battery also enter into cooperation agreements and consumers alike. Electric Vehicles in Malta. The MNEP’s secondary role will be to test such solutions and propulsion systems, to use and promote Malta as a test bed for such technologies and solutions through a number of lighthouse and demonstration projects, by which technology could be tested.
Considering the size of the Maltese Islands, such demonstration projects will not just be demonstration projects in their own right but will become part of our solutions and infrastructural deployment. The European Union’s LIFE+ funded project on electromobility, the Demo-EV Project, is one such example. The project, coordinated by the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure with the participation of Transport Malta, the Ministry for Gozo and Enemalta, is putting in place a number of Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure on the Maltese road network. For all intents and purposes this project is a demonstration project but in fact it is giving Malta the foundations for our future national electric car charging
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Goals Malta’s objectives might be different driving to planning one’s journey from point have made giant leaps forward, there is from those of France and Germany. of departure to point of destination. still need for research to improve battery These two countries are the prime efficiency, energy storage, and autonomy movers behind electromobility mainly Government still maintains that public as well as research on new materials to because of their automotive industry. transport should hold the lion’s share make the car lighter, while improving Besides the environmental concerns that in national transportation, and the the car charging infrastructure and these countries have, their respective Government understands that people will networking the electricity supply chain. automotive industry is a major contributor not accept to leave their car at home and to their national economic stability. use public transport without the latter In the short term, the technology available For example, the main objective of the first becoming fully accessible and more is already quite impressive and there is German Government is to become a world efficient. In a country that has seen the nothing holding us back from starting leader in the provision of this technology. use of the private passenger car increasing to deploy the current technologies Consequently Malta’s objective is to be at an alarming rate, one cannot expect available today. These, together with a net beneficiary and receiver of this that modal shift will happen overnight. the Battery Electric Vehicles that are technology. On a per capita basis, it is Unfortunately, the way the introduction expected to be put on the market by also in the interest of the automotive of the new public transport service was the end of 2014, plus the installation of industry to facilitate market uptake of this initially carried out, as far as modal shift is the first 90 charging points nationwide, technology in Malta. concerned, this has initially backfired. Malta is already in a position to start the shift towards electromobility; something Keeping in mind that power generation in It is also expected that once public that the Ministry for Transport and Malta is set to become cleaner with the transport stabilizes itself; the Intelligent Infrastructure together with Transport use of natural gas and the completion of Traffic Management System is fully Malta are already doing. the Malta-Italy inter-connector for the deployed and functional; and a number purchase of cleaner generated electricity, of road works are completed, congestion As the national car-charging infrastructure is the environmental benefits for Malta are will be lessened, bus journey times will taking shape, the network will be extended bound to leap forward. improve and the percentage use of non- by the Government according to the increase car modes increases. in demand by both BEV users and owners. Coupled with this scenario, Government’s By the end of 2013, Government would have effort to increase the deployment Having said that, private cars would installed the first phase of the charging of photovoltaic technology will also still be heavily depended upon, unless network made up of 90 charging points in contribute to the provision of cleaner additional public transport services various locations across Malta and Gozo. transport, when charging of electric are introduced in the near future and Concurrently, the Government will also be vehicles takes place in establishments this is another reason why Government installing five state-of-the-art solar car where PV infrastructure is available and the will start to look at other solutions to ports together with an additional 11 charging offset of solar energy production against lessen traffic congestion while striving points in 2014. car charging is taken into consideration. to induce a new mobility culture. In the meantime, as the Government and MNEP and the Goals The measures that will be introduced all public funded authorities, including for Electromobility by the Ministry for Transport and public corporations and organizations Infrastructure are all intended to serve will slowly switch to electromobility at The launching of the Malta National as catalysts for quick deployment of an initial rate of approximately 25% of Electromobility Platform (MNEP) is a Battery Electric Vehicles in Malta. Such all yearly car purchases, the government cornerstone in the Government’s policy initiatives must be continued over time itself will install additional charging on the electrification of transport. and respond to technological progress stations to charge its fleet. that is expected to be achieved, once In a short time span, the Government has additional vehicles are deployed in The first batch of car charging units is being come up with a programme which can be Malta. This will be done in accordance funded through the Demo-EV Project and implemented in a concrete manner with with the availability of funds and the they have been placed in strategic places, the participation of all the stakeholders economic situation of the country, after consultation with the respective involved. Representation in the MNEP cuts especially in the light of tighter national Authorities and Local Councils. In fact the across almost all sectors of the economy. budgets of the Eurozone countries. Ministry had consulted with the respective The MNEP is committed to promote Local Councils whereby these were asked a change in culture of how we look at Although the development of the to advise where they would like to have mobility and transportation in general. This essential technologies for electric drives, the charging points installed for increased ranges from instilling the concept of eco- energy storage and grid infrastructure public accessibility.
19 However, the Government wants to arrive to a point where it will no longer need to provide incentives, where the price of BEVs would come down to the price of the conventional car to an extent that it will be able to compete in a free market and to an extent that electric vehicles will come into general use and constitute a big proportion of the national vehicle fleet.
Government believes that the switch towards electromobility cannot be achieved by market forces alone or by Government intervention only, and for this reason at the point of inception, Government has opened a dialogue with the automotive industry on an international level and the stakeholders involved. In fact the MNEP structure will include the participation of all the relevant stakeholders needed to make the switch successful. Stakeholders The installation of the BEV charging other EU Member States. The Government include government departments infrastructure by the Government is a clear will not be working only on the switch to and policy makers, authorities, local message from its part that it is supporting electromobility but also on the culture and governments, service providers, the electromobility and it is also a market signal habits of driving and car ownership. electricity generation company and for car manufacturers and car importers related service providers as well as that Malta is ready and committed to Irrespective of this, the Maltese Government the industry itself; car importers support such technology. had set upon itself a committed target to and transport operators, academics, put 5,000 BEVs on Maltese Roads by 2020. research and vocational institutions. From its very inception, the MNEP has With its Malta National Electromobility The MNEP will be the largest and been working with international market Action Plan (MNEAP), Malta is laying out widest possible transport forum ever leaders in electromobility so that Malta a phased deployment plan which is spread set up in Malta. will be one of the first countries in which over the next seven years. BEVs would be rolled out. This was very The MNEP and the MNEAP are the first important since, in these early stages, In addition to the above, the Maltese steps by the Government of Malta to leading car manufacturers will only roll Government will pave the way for the address its environmental obligations out their fleets to those countries that broad introduction of BEVs and over the stemming out from transport related are prepared and committed towards coming months it will take a number activities, to lessen its dependence on electromobility. of policy and regulatory measures to conventional fuels and increase the share further assist the introduction of BEVs of cleaner transport fuels. In spite of these initiatives and due to the in the Maltese Islands. With respect to current financial and economic challenges technical and infrastructure measures, As such, Government will also be that we still face today, the probability Government will use current and future pursuing the use and the promotion of is that it will take more than ten years for open European Standards to ensure electromobility not just for private and BEVs to achieve a significant market share, interoperability, safety and acceptance personal transport, but also its use and especially when conventional vehicles have by potential BEV users. application for passenger public transport been part of the Maltese culture for the last and the transport of goods. 30 to 40 years. The Maltese Government is leading by example and making its contribution for It will mean a way of how we carry However, if the cost of the vehicles goes the next seven years through the set up out transport activities, how to down to acceptable levels, the Government of the MNEP. Any further government plan transportation and transport is confident that Malta has the right activities will be subject to budget infrastructure as well as changing habits conditions for electromobility to flourish considerations, appropriations and policy that in the future will no longer be and get accepted at a faster rate than in decisions over the next seven years. sustainable. Are you ready for the change?
20 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Definition of Electromobility Electromobility represents the concept of For the purpose of this Action Plan, besides using electric powertrain technologies, in- BEV, the technology recognized under the vehicle information, and communication electromobility term includes; Plug-in Hybrid technologies and connected infrastructures Electric Vehicles (PHEV), Hybrid Electric to enable the electric propulsion of vehicles Vehicle (HEV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric and fleets. Powertrain technologies include Vehicles (FCEV). To the original list of vehicles full electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, it was felt that range-extender electric as well as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles vehicles (REEV) should also be included that convert hydrogen into electricity. due to the fact that the new type of REEV Electromobility efforts are motivated by includes a fully fletched battery similar to the need to address fuel efficiency and those found on BEV, but which are aided with emission requirements, as well as market petrol / diesel drive trains for longer distances demands for lower operational costs. travelled, should this be needed.
Unlocking the Potential of Electromobility
Every new technology has its sceptics. Malta is also in the process of building a of energies including electricity some of Some said electromobility is impossible, functioning electromobility network as it is which will be produced or substituted by others said it will not work while others said our responsibility towards our children and renewable sources of energy. it will not be accepted. Luckily they were future generations to do so. The MNEP will wrong. Electromobility offers solutions to live up to its responsibility. Current and future population growth suit everyone’s needs, from Battery Electric coupled with economic growth – Vehicles to Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology The European transport system is especially that of emerging economies with the use of liquid and gaseous hydrogen continuously changing, but in Malta – will increase the demand for energy. for long distance travel. it stagnated and went from bad to Fossil fuels alone will not be enough to worse. As far as transport is concerned, meet this demand due to their limited The energy sector is in a state of constant the Government wants to take Malta supply and environmental repercussions. change but one thing is for sure, fossil into the future through a leap in This has sparked a search for something fuels will come to an end and in the future quality and improved energy efficiency, better with the main goal to provide a alternative fuel carriers will play a very guaranteeing mobility while preserving world powered by clean, efficient fuels important role. The future of zero emissions the environment by building a transport which are produced from renewable is already here and, like in other countries, system that is based on the use of a mix resources of energy.
21 Hydrogen Technology
Electromobility does not only mean the pure state, Hydrogen can be a clean, safe trains used for trucks and buses while Battery use of a Battery Electric Vehicle, but it and a very powerful fuel. Electric Vehicles will power passenger cars. also includes all sorts of mobility which makes use of electric drive trains and Billions of Euros are currently being invested In this regard, the Ministry for Transport which in turn, the electricity used can to develop the technology. Hydrogen is not and Infrastructure together with be produced by a number of different an energy source in itself, like coal or oil, but Transport Malta will pursue future sources of energy including renewable is a manufacturer of fuel like gas oil and technology developments and facilitate ones. Anything that uses an electric electricity. We can use renewable sources of demonstration and lighthouse projects motor and a battery or fuel cell, falls energy such as solar power and wind energy accordingly and is proposing the setting up under the definition of electromobility. to split molecules of water; of hydrogen of a specific unit within the MNEP following and oxygen and then using Hydrogen as a a Malta National Hydrogen and Fuel This includes Hydrogen Fuel Cell transport fuel and even as domestic and Cell Technology Innovation Programme technology. As of today, Hydrogen can industrial fuel. (MNHFCTIP) for which preparations can be produced from a number of processes get underway by partnering with future including natural gas through a process In the meantime, research is also being potential partners. called steam reformation. This is done made in fuel cell propulsion systems, not just by reacting steam with natural gas and, in passenger cars and buses but also in larger This will be part of the Malta National in the process, extracting Hydrogen from transporters. For example, the German Navy Electromobility Action Plan which will both compounds. Another process is the submarine, the U31, uses nine fuel cells for step up its efforts to promote battery and reformation of Bio-methane which can be propulsion which run on Hydrogen while it all-electric drive technologies. Following captured from landfills. also produces electricity for the command other technological developments in and control systems and in the process Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology applications The marriage of Hydrogen and renewable generates fresh water for the use of the crew. for the maritime transport sector in the sources of energy offers a unique opportunity. past few years, the Government of Malta In fact, Hydrogen is the missing link to the The technology can also be used in ships will also follow the development of Fuel widespread use of using renewable sources and locomotive trains. Recently, the Cell Technology in the maritime sector of energy. When energy is generated using Helios aircraft became the first aircraft to with similar demonstration projects that solar power or wind, the recurring problem is use Hydrogen by using a light propulsion were carried out in Amsterdam and in that the energy is intermittent, meaning that system enabled by solar panels and Birmingham, such as the demonstration it must be used when the sun is out or when Hydrogen and fuel cells, flying at an project of the Ross Barlow canal barge the wind is blowing. altitude for observation of over 65,000 ft. project, should technology continue to This was followed by another unmanned develop in this direction. Unfortunately however, energy is not aircraft project, headed by NASA, called always available when there is the Global Observatory. Unlike similar National Development Plans demand for it, which means that the of other countries, where electromobility is energy must be stored if it is to be of any The electrification of transport is the limited to road transport, our MNEAP and value. Conventional batteries have limited solution to achieve a viable and sustainable its vision will cut across as many modes storage capacities and up till now are very future transport system. Transport as possible, including maritime vessel/ expensive to produce and it is here, where Malta has long believed that the future crafts that can be used in coastal waters,
H2 can solve the problem. of transportation lies in the electrification passenger cars, motorbikes and pedalecs, of transport, where Hydrogen Fuel Cell vans, trucks, mini buses, buses and other Today, nanotech companies are working Technology will power the larger electric drive modes that are propelled by electricity. on solar cells which dramatically improve efficiency while cutting down on costs. When electricity from renewable energy is converted to Hydrogen it can be stored and used as energy and hence it can be used when it is needed. When that happens on a large scale, then it will be the main competitor of fossil fuels.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe; it powers all of the stars including our Sun. Hydrogen is everywhere to the extent that over 90% of the atoms in the universe are Hydrogen atoms. Add oxygen and you have water, add carbon and it is a basic building block of life. In its
22 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Energy Efficiency of Electric Vehicles
BEVs are the most energy efficient Energy Efficiency Distribution vehicles to-date, as can be shown in the chart on the right. When comparing the energy efficiency of BEVs with that of CONVENTIONAL conventional vehicles and Hydrogen Fuel VEHICLE Cell Vehicles, one can see that in the case PROPULSION of conventional vehicles, only 22% of the DISTRIBUTION 19% fuel goes to actual propulsion and when 22% fuel losses are taken into account, this goes DISTRIBUTION % OF THE INPUT ENERGY FUEL down to just 19% fuel to propel the vehicle. EXTRACTION 92% REMAINING CELL 92% FOR CAR VEHICLE On the other hand, the Fuel Cell propelled PROPULSION vehicle, which also uses an electric motor, has E-MOTOR an efficiency of approximately 86%. But the FUEL CELL 86% 26% advantage of the latter is greatly diminished DISTRIBUTION due to the electrolysis process, compression, 48% BATTERY distribution and conversion into electricity ELECTRIC ELECTROLYSIS VEHICLE which brings efficiency down to 26% but which is still better than that of ICE. E-MOTOR CHARGING & In the case of the BEV, energy losses EXTRACTION BATTERY 70% are greatly reduced to the extent that 92% 89% almost 70% of the energy is used for vehicle propulsion. Figure 1: Energy Efficiency Distribution
BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle
Battery Electric Vehicle Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) also generation, BEVs still produce zero harmful emission is water in the form of steam known as Electric Vehicles (EV) are full exhaust emissions. BEVs can provide carbon through the exhaust pipe. HFCEV can electric vehicles without using any other neutral transportation if they are charged to provide Carbon Neutral Transportation if source of propulsion other than the electric a renewable source of energy including wind the Hydrogen production process is done motor and batteries. A BEV must be farms and photovoltaic plants. through a renewable source of energy plugged into an electricity source, normally like hydroelectric power generation, wind the electricity grid to obtain energy to REEV – Range Extender Electric Vehicle farms and Photovoltaic Plants. propel the vehicle with a range which is Range Extender Electric Vehicles are usually limited by the battery pack and the different then the full Electric Vehicles PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle charge contained therein. Although some by adopting a compact fuel-powered emissions of BEVs are displaced to power Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles drives generator whose sole purpose is to supply have a greater fuel reduction potential than electricity when one wants to drive most of the current hybrid vehicles. The beyond the range of the battery. Once the main difference in these types of vehicles battery management system detects the is that they have an internal combustion minimum charge level, the Range Extender engine that charges the battery or by automatically fires up to generate electricity. providing electricity to the electric motor. This electric motor can either assists the HFCEV – Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle internal combustion engine (in parallel Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles HEVs) or is the sole mechanical link to the use electricity to power motors located wheels (in series HEVs). What makes a near the vehicle’s wheels and they PHEV different from a HEV is its ability produce their primary electricity using to charge the batteries by plugging in the a fuel cell which in turn is powered by vehicle. This feature has the advantage hydrogen-filled tanks. The Hydrogen Fuel of allowing the vehicle to run for some Cell Electric Vehicles produce zero harmful distance without running the internal exhaust emissions, where the only combustion engine at all.
23
3. Climate and Environment Protection 3.4. Climate and Environment Protection
It is a fact that electromobility will make 1. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 6 localities, Floriana (50.60μg/m³), Fgura significant contributions to reduce the 20% when compared to 2005 levels (49.9μg/m³), Sliema (45.4μg/m³), Mosta levels of CO2 emissions and anthropogenic 2. Having 20% of energy consumption (42.0μg/m³), Gzira (41.7μg/m³) and San emissions such as traffic generated through increased energy efficiency Gwann (40.8μg/m³). emissions Besides, reducing air pollution, 3. 20% of EU energy needs must come electromobility will also reduce traffic from renewable energy sources “Furthermore, 27 individual sites registered generated noise pollution. Anthropogenic 4. 10% of all transport fuel must come NO2 levels higher than the EU and WHO emissions such as traffic generated from renewable energy sources limit, with St. Anne’s Street, Floriana, emissions including sulphur oxides (Sox), increasing by 6% to 98.4μg/m³ in 2007. nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide As an EU Member State, Malta has This suggests that nitrogen oxides are (CO) and particulate matter (PM) all transposed all the relevant climate on the rise due to increasing traffic, such have a negative effect on the urban change regulations and policies in order to that this pollutant may be a problem in environment and human health. contribute towards the overall European localities where heavy traffic and poor target to limit the increase of the mean ventilation prevail.” 6 For example, the oxidation of sulphur surface temperature to 2oC less when dioxide in the presence of nitrogen compared to pre-industrial levels. According to the National Statistics dioxide will produce acidic rain (H2SO4) Office as at September 2013, the stock which also leaves a negative effect on According to NSO statistics, over the last fifty of licensed motor vehicles stood at architecture including historical buildings years the mean temperature of the Maltese 321,425, up by 0.8% over the previous while a continuous exposure to high PM Islands has increased by 0.23oC every ten quarter. Of these, 79.3% are passenger levels may lead to heart and lung disease years. On the other hand, between 1990 and vehicles, 14.4% commercial vehicles and including asthma and cancer. 2007, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 5.2% motorcycles. Buses and minibuses 49% in Malta. Although this may be seen as accounted for less than 1%. Therefore, putting aside what a high increase, when taking into account GDP electromobility can do to help mitigate growth per capita, Malta is one of the lowest A total of 4,334 new licences were issued climate change, the fact that BEVs do from all EU Member States where greenhouse during the period. The majority of - 3,437 not emit any other tail-pipe generated gas emissions are concerned. In fact, when or 79.3% of the total - were issued for emissions offers a significant solution to emissions are decoupled from economic passenger cars, followed by motorcycles the improvement of air quality, especially development, it transpires that in terms of unit (451). Newly-licensed ‘new’ motor in urban centres and canyon effects. GDP (in billion Euros at 2000 prices) there was vehicles amounted to 1,923, or 44.4% a decrease of 18% between 1990 and 2007 5. of the total, and newly licensed ‘used’ Climate Change Having said that, Malta still needs to improve motor vehicles totalled 2,411. on its carbon emission levels. According to the latest National In the third quarter, 52 vehicles were Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Increase in the National Car Fleet exported. There were 1,535 vehicles that for Malta 2013, road transport currently were no longer licensed for use on the accounts for 16.9% of the total greenhouse According to the 2008 State of the road and another 1,211 were scrapped. gas emissions generated in Malta. Environment Report, although the annual As at the end of September, 195,862
average national NO2 concentration remained vehicles, (60.9%) of the total had petrol As things stand, the current European well below the 40μg/m3 EU and the World engines while diesel engines powered Climate Change and Energy Targets Health Organisation (WHO) limit value, 124,931 vehicles (38.9 %). which were approved by the European it continued to increase between 2006 Council in 2008 in the form of the and 2007, from 25.4μg/m3 to 28.9μg/m3 The following figure shows the impact that Climate Change and Energy Package, are respectively. In 2007, annual average the exorbitant number of combustion- the following: values exceeded annual EU standards in engine vehicles have had on the fuel supply.
5 MEPA 2010; State of the Environment Report, 2008 p.20 6 Ibid. p 14
26 27 Change over 2000 Levels (index)
120
115
110
105
100
95 2001 2007 2003 2002 2005 2004 2006 2008 2000
Fuel imports Real GDP at 2000 prices Energy intensity of the economy
Figure 2: Impact on the Energy Supply
Air Quality in Malta Benzene
The two main pollutants associated with Non-methane volatile organic compounds also can damage the immune system by the use of fossil fuels in motor vehicles are (NMVOCs) produce photochemical changing blood levels of antibodies and Nitrogen Dioxide and Benzene. This section oxidants by reacting with NOx in the causing the loss of white blood cells. 9 It will take an overview of the situation of presence of sunlight. Anthropogenic is a natural constituent of crude oil and these pollutants in Malta, the levels of NMVOCs are emitted from sources including because it has a high octane number, it is each pollutant recorded in the air and paint application, road transport, dry- an important component of gasoline. the resultant health effects that each cleaning and other solvent uses. Certain pollutant causes. NMVOC species, such as benzene (C6H6) According to the European Environment and 1,3-butadiene, are directly hazardous Agency, the level of NMVOCs, including to human health.7 Benzene has long been Benzene, produced by road transport in recognised as a carcinogen,8 it can cause Malta was at 26% in 2011 as is depicted in bone marrow not to produce enough red the table below. 10 blood cells, which can lead to anemia. It Emissions by sector - 2011
Energy use & supply excl. transport (5%)
Road transport (26%)
Other transport (2%)
Industrial processes (8%)
Agriculture (0%)
Waste (0%)
Other (59%)
Figure 3: Non methane volatile organic compounds by sector in Malta; European Environment Agency
7 European Environment Agency, 2013 ‘Air pollution fact sheet 2013 – Malta’, p.2 8 R Duarte Davidson, C Courage, L Rushton, L Levy, 2000; ‘Benzene in the environment: an assessment of the potential risks to the health of the population’ 9 http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp, 25/10/2013 10 European Environment Agency, 2013 ‘Air pollution fact sheet 2013 – Malta’, p.3
28 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
The following table takes a locality-by-locality picture of the levels of benzene in Malta.
Benzene - by Street and Locality
8.00 B’Kara- Valley Road
7.00 Floriana - St. Anne Street
6.00 Gzira - Rue D’Argens
5.00 Hamrun - St. Joseph High Street
4.00 Marsa - Aldo Moro Street
Paola/Fgura - Zabbar Road 3.00
Qormi - Manuel Dimech Street 2.00
Sliema - Manuel Dimech Street 1.00
L-Irdum Road, Dingli 0.00 2006 2008 2012
Figure 4: Annual Average Benzene Emissions by Street and Locality 11
From the above table, it is clear that improvements in the reduction of Benzene levels have been made, especially in the years between 2008 and 2012. This reduction in Benzene emissions can be attributed to several factors, one of which can be the increasing percentage of Euro III, IV and V vehicles on Maltese roads between 2008 and 2013.
In 2008, 76% of the vehicles on the road that made use of conventional fuel were comprised of Euro II vehicles as opposed to the mere 24% which were Euro III, IV and V vehicles. This share has been drastically reduced to 52% as of October 2013 while the share of Euro III, IV, V and VI vehicles has increased to 47% in 2013. 12 This can be seen more visibly in the figures below.
2008 2013
> Euro 2/11 > Euro 2/11
Euro 3/111 Euro 3/111
Euro4/IV Euro4/IV
Euro 5/V Euro 5/V
Euro 6 Euro 6
Figure 5: Vehicles on the road by Euro Emissions Standard
Euro III, IV and V vehicles burn fossil fuels more efficiently thus resulting in less tail-pipe emissions. Therefore a higher percentage of said cars on the road will result in less traffic-caused emissions.
11 Data provided by MEPA. Disclaimer: It is important to point out that MEPA did not manage to prove equivalence of the benzene and NO2 diffusion tubes to the reference method as per Annex VI of Directive 2008/50/EC and therefore this data cannot be used to assess compliance with the legally enforced environmental quality objectives. It can however be used for comparative purposes i.e. to compare the pollution levels in one locality to the pollution levels in another locality. 12 Data provided by Transport Malta
29 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) belongs to a fraction of Particulate Matter. Particulate The effects of PM on health occur at levels family of highly reactive gases called Matter particles are identified according to of exposure currently being experienced by nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases form their aerodynamic diameter, as either PM10 most urban and rural populations in both when fuel is burnt at high temperatures. (particles with an aerodynamic diameter developed and developing countries. Chronic
Motor vehicle exhaust is one of the smaller than 10 µm) or PM2.5 (aerodynamic exposure to particles contributes to the risk principle sources of these gasses. diameter smaller than 2.5 µm). According of developing cardiovascular and respiratory to the European Environment Agency, diseases, as well as of lung cancer. 16 The According to epidemiological studies “PM can cause or aggravate cardiovascular International Agency for Research on Cancer conducted by the World Health and lung diseases, heart attacks and (IARC) recently estimated that exposure to Organisation (WHO) it has been shown arrhythmias. It can also affect the central ambient fine particles has contributed to that the symptoms of bronchitis in nervous system and the reproductive 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide in asthmatic children increase when system, and can cause cancer. 2010, due largely to cardiovascular disease; subjected to long-term exposure to NO2. of which 223,000 deaths were caused from Reduced lung function growth is also “One outcome of exposure to PM can lung cancer. 17 linked to NO2 at concentrations currently be premature death. PM also acts as a 14 measured (or observed) in cities of greenhouse gas.” PM2.5 particles are even According to the European Environment 13 Europe and North America. more dangerous since, when inhaled, Agency, of the total Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) they may reach the peripheral regions of in Malta in 2011, 32% were produced by 18 Furthermore, NO2 is the main source of the bronchioles, and interfere with gas road transport emissions. This can be nitrate aerosols, which form an important exchange inside the lungs. 15 seen clearly in the figure below.
Emissions by sector - 2011
Energy use & supply excl. transport (57%)
Road transport (32%)
Other transport (11%)
Industrial processes (0%)
Agriculture (0%)
Waste (0%)
Other (0%)
Figure 6: Nitrogen Oxides emissions by sector; European Environment Agency
13 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/, 25/10/2013 14 European Environment Agency, 2013 ‘Air pollution fact sheet 2013 – Malta’, p.2 15 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/, 25/10/2013 16 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/, 25/10/13 17 IARC 2013, Scientific Publication No.161, ‘Air Pollution and Cancer’ Editors: Kurt Straif, Aaron Cohen, Jonathan Samet 18 European Environment Agency, 2013 ‘Air pollution fact sheet 2013 – Malta’, p.3
30 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
The European Environment Agency also reports that the levels of PM2.5 generated by road transport in Malta was at 72% in 2011 as shown in the figure below.19
Emissions by sector - 2011
Energy use & supply excl. transport (25%)
Road transport (72%)
Other transport (1%)
Industrial processes (0%)
Agriculture (2%)
Waste (0%)
Other (0%)
Figure 7: PM 2.5 emissions by sector; European Environment Agency
A more detailed breakdown has to be considered however. In order to assess the levels of NO2 in Malta, this paper focuses on eight localities which represent 24% of the total Maltese population.20 These localities are; Birkirkara, Floriana, Msida, Marsa, Gzira, Qormi, Fgura/Paola,
Sliema and Hamrun. NO2 readings taken by MEPA in each of these localities between the years of 2006 and 2012 are depicted below.
120
100 B’Kara - Valley Road Floriana - St. Anne Street 80 Hamrun - St. Joseph High Street Marsa - Aldo Moro Street 60 Msida - Testaferrata Street
40 Paola/Fgura - Zabbar Road Qormi - Manuel Dimech Street 20 Sliema - Manuel Dimech Street
0 2006 2009 2012
21 Figure 8: NO2 Emissions by Street and Locality; MEPA Data, 2013
19 Ibid. p.5 20 National Statistics Office 2012, ‘Census of Population and Housing 2011; Preliminary Report’ 21 Data provided by MEPA. Disclaimer: It is important to point out that MEPA did not manage to prove equivalence of the benzene and NO2 diffusion tubes to the reference method as per Annex VI of Directive 2008/50/EC and therefore this data cannot be used to assess compliance with the legally enforced environmental quality objectives. It can however be used for comparative purposes i.e. to compare the pollution levels in one locality to the pollution levels in another locality.
31 While certain localities in Malta have The WHO Air Quality Guidelines are Quality (Directive 2008/50/EC) also sets 3 registered a decreasing trend in NO2 designed to offer guidance in reducing a 200 μg/m hourly limit value for NO2 emissions, such as St Anne Street Floriana, the health impacts of air pollution. These emissions. In a year, any area can exceed the reading is still double that of other guidelines are intended to inform policy- this limit value 18 times. The Figure below localities such as Testaferrata Street Msida makers and to provide appropriate targets takes Marina Road, Msida as an example. – which has itself registered an upward for a broad range of policy options for air Between the years of 2006 and 2011 the trend within the respective six years. In quality management in different parts hourly limit value of 200 μg/m3 has been other cases, namely Valley Road, Birkirkara, of the world.23 The WHO Guidelines set exceeded quite a number of times, but a clear, steep upward trend has been 40 µg/m3 as the annual average value for in 2006 and again in 2011 the hourly limit 3 recorded, with readings stabilising around NO2 and an annual mean of 10 μg/m for value has been exceeded by more than the 22 24 the high mark between 2009 and 2012. PM2.5. The EU Directive on Ambient Air allowed 18 times.
Marina Road, Msida Limit Exceedences of PM10 Levels
35 30 25 38 20 36 15 Number of 34 Limit exceedences Exceedences
10 of the Hourly 32 of PM10 Limit Value levels 5 30 0 28 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011
Figure 9: NO2 Hourly Limit Value Exceedences; MEPA Data, 2013 Figure 10: PM10 Limit Exceedences at Marina Road Msida; MEPA Data, 2013
Further to figure 9, figure 10 depicts the annual exceedences in 10PM levels at Marina Road, Msida. The annual exceedences limit is that of 35 times per year. In addition as can be seen from figure 10 above, emission limits at Msida have been exceeded quite a number of times. This trend is to be expected however, considering the centralized location of these localities and the rate at which the number of licensed cars on the road is increasing. In 2004, the stock of licensed motor vehicles amounted to a total of 271,137. 25 In 2012, this has increased to 314,51026 licensed vehicles which translates into a percentage increase of 16% in 8 years.
Stock of Licenced Road Vehicles
330,000 320,000 310,000 300,000 290,000 280,000 Stock of Licenced 270,000 Road Vehicles 260,000 250,000 240,000 2004 2006 2008 2012 2013
Figure 11: Stock of Licensed Road Vehicles; NSO Statistics, 2013
22 Data provided by MEPA for comparison purposes. 23 WHO 2005, ‘Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide; Global update 2005’, p.5 24 Ibid. p.16 25 National Statistics Office 2005, ‘Transport Statistics 2005’ p.71 26 National Statistics Office 2013, ‘Transport Statistics 2013’ p.103
32 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Considering the fact that the combustion process within motor vehicles is one of the main sources of NO2 emissions, such exceedences as have been recorded in Marina Road, Msida, and the high readings taken from such roads as St Anne Street, Floriana and Valley Road, Birkirkara are to be expected. Moreover, when considering that 24% of the Maltese population lives within areas where these high readings have been recorded, the situation becomes alarming, and immediate and effective action must be taken to amend this situation.
Reducing local emissions EVs integration into peaks, by aligning production and load through Electromobility the main system curves more closely and supplying balancing energy in the future. Battery Electric Vehicles are one of the It is a fact that BEVs will help improve main solutions that can free our towns and grid efficiency, especially during EV night Energy storage in batteries of vehicles villages of pollutants, fine dust and noise charging and promote the idea of carbon reduces adverse fluctuation effects and and hence raise the quality of life. neutral transport through the promotion for will facilitate the continued expansion of the uptake of photovoltaic infrastructure. solar energy in the whole system. Having As outlined in the previous section, a large national BEV fleet in the future and microclimates in urban cores and In addition, the more Electric Vehicles their integration in the national grid will conurbations are heavily exposed to traffic the more energy can be stored in their also raise the efficiency of conventional exhaust, fine-dust and noise emissions battery, meaning that the use of electric power stations, when the demand for from traffic. The need and urgency to vehicle batteries for storage will increase energy is low, for example during the night, reduce these emissions from Maltese roads the overall efficiency of power supply. This which in turn will contribute towards the is a priority for the Maltese Government is done by the smoothing of production reduction in demand for fossil fuels.
The Number of Registered BEVs by Vehicle Segment
PHEV & Vehicle type Category Unit BEV FCEV Total E-REV
Passenger Cars M1 Nº 225 43 nil 268
Vehicles for Freight N1 Nº nil nil nil nil Transport (<3.5t)
Vehicles for Freight N2 + N3 Nº nil nil nil nil Transport (≥3.5t)
Buses and Coaches M2 + M3 Nº 6 nil nil 6
Quadricycles L6e + L7e Nº nil 4 nil 4
Total Nº of EVs Nº 231 47 nil 278 with ≥4 Wheels
3-Wheel Vehicles L2e + L5e + L4e Nº nil nil nil nil
2-Wheel Vehicles L1e + L3e Nº nil 33 nil 33
Industrial Vehicles Nº nil 24 nil 24
33
4. National Policy Framework for the Development of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure 4. National Policy Framework for the Development of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure
Infrastructure Human Resource Build-up
In the latest Proposal for a Directive of the One has to note that the MNEP has The shortage of human resources in European Parliament and of the Council already included in the MNEAP a draft the field of electromobility needs to on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels programme for the deployment of be addressed so that Malta would Infrastructure, reference is made to the BEV electric charging infrastructure, have the capability to implement the adoption of a National Policy Framework assuming that the national targets for Electromobility Action Plan, in the by each Member State intended for the registration in Malta of 5,000 BEVs medium and long term. market development of alternative fuels will be reached, and this is irrespective of infrastructure. the mandatory targets proposed in the The MNEP would enter into discussions Alternative Fuel Infrastructure proposed with the University of Malta and The National Policy Framework needs to directive. The number of mandatory car the Malta College for Science and contain the following elements: charging points assigned to Malta in the Technology to address the shortage of proposed directive (which is subject to scientists, engineers and technicians i. Assessment of the state and future change as the proposed directive is still available and such shortage can be development of alternative fuels under discussion) currently stands at 500 a constraint in the future switch to infrastructure of the respective Member public car charging points nationwide. electromobility. State including trans-border continuity; ii. Objectives and binding national targets, As at end December 2013, the Ministry In this regard, the MNEP will also be as required under the same proposal for for Transport and infrastructure would making use of specific EU Funds such as the development of alternative fuels have already deployed 90 charging the European Social Fund (ESF) as well infrastructure; points which is almost one fifth of the as other EU Programmes specifically iii. Assessment of measures necessary to current assigned target. having a vocational dimension such ensure that the objectives contained in the as those falling under the Life Long National Policy Framework are reached. It is envisaged that through the Learning Programme and Erasmus+. installation of five solar car ports which The proposal suggests that binding will be carried out during 2014, there will The MNEP will encourage the national targets shall be established be an additional 11 charging units. The rate participation in EU funded research and which may be revised at a later of deployment and number of charging projects in this respect, such as stage on the basis of an assessment units that are expected to be deployed participation in projects that would be of internal demand within the territory until December 2020 can be seen in financed under the new Horizon 2020 of the Member State. In addition, Section 7 of this document. EU Research Programme. each Member State will be obliged to report to the EU Commission on the In the meantime, through the MNEP, implementation of each respective a number of synergies will be created National Policy Framework. through an interface between MNEP – Enemalta and Service Providers. This In view of this, the MNEP will be putting in will be set up to make sure that the place a draft National Policy Framework with deployment of the charging infrastructure regards to the National Electric Car Charging would be done in a seamless manner, Infrastructure to be put in place by December including the issue of funding. 2020, which however will be revised, up or down, according to BEVs uptake and demand for car-charging infrastructure.
36 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
37 BEVs Charging Infrastructure Locations
Żebbuġ Marsalforn Ċirkewwa Għarb Għadira Għasri Ramla l-Ħamra San Xagħra Dwejra St. Paul’s Bay Buġibba Lawrenz Rabat Qawra Victoria Nadur Mellieħa Santa Luċija Kerċem Xewkija Qala Munxar Xemxija Sannat Xlendi Għajnsielem Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Ta’ Ċenċ Mġarr
Paceville Pembroke St. Julian’s Naxxar Mġarr San Sliema Mosta Ġwann Iklin Gzira Tigné Balzan Imtarfa Hamrun Birkirkara Valletta Kalkara Floriana Mdina Attard Birgu Rabat Isla Qormi Marsa Bormla Żebbuġ Paola Fgura Żabbar Dingli Tarxien Luqa Santa Marsaskala Luċija Buskett Siġġiewi Żejtun Airport Marsaxlokk Mqabba Qrendi Żurrieq Birżebbuġa Legend: Ħal Far Solar Charging Stations * Locations are marked for indication purposes only. 3-Phase Charging Pillars
Market Entry
The MNEP will continue to promote through a mix of EU funds, National The same concept will also be adopted for market uptake of BEVs through a number Funds, soft loans and private investment projects relating to Hydrogen vehicles and of measures, including a number of on the basis of private public partnerships. related infrastructure, whereby the MNEP incentives to encourage BEV uptake from For the next EU Programming Period, the intends to carry out at least the building private users and private companies MNEP will enter into specific, EU funded or conversion of one petrol station which throughout the duration of the MNEAP. projects which allow the involvement would be able to provide Hydrogen and of private firms. Participation in such the demonstration of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Additionally, a number of pipeline projects similar to the Green Cars Initiative propelled vehicles. This is in line with projects are being proposed through which was carried out on the basis of a what the EU Commission itself and other which additional BEVs and BEV charging public private partnership, will be done countries are doing such as Germany, infrastructure will be purchased and accordingly and in line with the priorities France, the UK, the People’s Republic of deployed. These projects will be funded of the Government. China, the US and Japan.
38 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
• Short distances travelled in Malta • Lack of interest from local agents • Mobile energy storage • Not every household has a garage
• Number of apartments do not • Lower electricity costs have underground parking facilities
• No need for an extensive public charging • High battery costs infrastructure due to short distances
• BEVs are still very much expensive • Availability of sunshine most of the year compared to Conventional Vehicles
• BEVs cost less to maintain when compared • European and global standards to conventional cars and norms still in the process of standardisation
• Restricted Public Funds to offer grants, • Electricity costs less than transport fuels hence market penetration will take longer
• No tail-pipe emissions • Low vocational skills
• Improvements in technology is resulting • Lack of economies of scale in reduced time for battery charging
• BEVs charging infrastructure is easy to network
• High innovation and advanced environmental awareness
• Ability to charge vehicles with RES • Beneficial for Power Station
Opportunities Threats
• High Vehicle culture • High costs may discourage BEV uptake
• Large National Vehicle Fleet and therefore large • Limited space to deploy BEV charging infrastructure opportunities to make the switch
• Reduction of import dependence on • Bad reputation of the old BEV technology petroleum; securing long-term mobility
• Contribution to climate change targets • BEV market uptake cannot be assured
• Contribution to the reduction of tail-pipe • Range Anxiety Emissions and improvement in air quality
• Improved grid integration of solar energy • Additional costs for monthly renewable energies and efficiency of electricity Battery lease (in some cases)
• Introduction of the latest technology • Limited National Budgets that hinder incentives • Reduction of traffic generated noise pollution • Not reaching the BEV-on-the-road target by 2020
• Creation of new and green jobs for highly skilled employees and re-training
• Shifting climate change targets from Non-ETS to ETS, offering investment in car battery subsidies
• Exposure to the latest R&D developments
39
5. The Malta National Electromobility Platform 5. The Malta National Electromobility Platform
The set-up of the Malta National electromobility; it also holds as one of Government to put in place the necessary Electromobility Platform is a clear sign its main objectives the implementation infrastructure and expose Malta to the by the Government of its commitment of a number of projects in the form of latest cutting edge technology and towards electromobility in Malta. concrete plans and measures set against innovation. The main role of the MNEP would specific time-frames and deadlines which be to promote the introduction of are organised within a very ambitious Since its inception, the MNEP has already electromobility in Malta as well as to framework that would be carried out opened a dialogue with a number of be a promoter for the electrification over the coming five to seven years. This stakeholders that will be forming part of of transport modes in Malta. But the will be done specifically by the setting its structure, including discussions and platform will not just serve as a marketing up of a projects unit made up of a team consultations with other Government instrument or a place where all those of experts in project proposal writing Ministries, the industry and local agents involved in the platform would discuss and project management to assist the as well as research institutions.
42 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
MNEP Objectives
The MNEP’s objectives are the following: ii. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles; To make sure that the MNEP will I. To be a recipient of technology iii. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses; function as intended, a special projects transfer, both in electric drive trains iv. Automated personal rail transport; unit and marketing unit is being set up and related state of the art and v. Electric Maritime transport; with the engagement of officers from cutting edge technology; vi. Deployment of infrastructure; TM and MTI to oversee the activities of II. To oversee, coordinate and efficiently vii. e-Car sharing activities; the Platform including the functioning manage the implementation of the XV. Considering the introduction of light of the organisational setup, internal Malta National Electromobility Action rail services in Malta; consultations within the MNEP itself as Plan (MNEAP); XVI. Assisting in the change of legislation well as the implementation of the Malta III. To conduct close consultations among when required; National Electromobility Action Plan and between policy makers and all of XVII. Fostering and create green jobs; including the preparation of pipeline the stakeholders involved; XVIII. Contributing towards the lighthouse and demonstration projects as IV. To appoint working groups in between Government’s role to create well as their implementation. The Unit will the stakeholders and policy makers a Green Economy; also be in charge of running information for specific tasks; XIX. Organising an annual or bi-annual and marketing campaigns as well as the V. To promote research and development National Electromobility Conference. organisation of specific electromobility in electromobility; events to raise public awareness. VI. To setup a national e-Car sharing platform; Organising the MNEP Implementation of the MNEAP VII. To expand the national car-charging infrastructure; Structure The time frames set for the VIII. To facilitate the provision of facilities implementation of the MNEAP are spread should these be required by the The Malta National Electromobility over a period of six years starting from 2014 automotive industry for the purpose Platform is a joint initiative between the to 2020, by which time Malta should have of research and development and Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure at least 5,000 Battery Electric Vehicles promote Malta as a large scale and Transport Malta with the registered on Maltese roads. Although laboratory for electromobility; Management Board being made up of this number may seem to be small when IX. To implement the changeover of the Chairman of Transport Malta and the compared to the rest of Malta’s national the Government vehicle fleet from a Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and fleet, accomplishing such a target will not conventional cars to a clean energy chaired by the Hon. Minister for Transport be an easy task especially during the first fleet in a phased manner; and Infrastructure. few years of its set-up. X. To assist Government entities and private companies to switch to The second level in the structure of the There are several factors that make electromobility and their participation platform is made up of a technical team this task hard to achieve including; the in related projects; from Transport Malta, the Ministry for fact that Malta may not be one of the XI. To enter into cooperation agreements Transport and infrastructure, the Ministry first batch of countries that will start with the private sector in a view to for Finance, the Ministry for Energy and receiving electric vehicles from leading car further promote electromobility and Conservation of Water and the Ministry for manufacturers for the consumer market, all of the objectives of the MNEP, Sustainable Development, the Environment the fact that the choice of these vehicles including assisting the Government to and Climate Change (MSDEC). is still rather limited on the local market, meet its environmental targets; coupled with the reality that BEVs are XII. To participate in a number of The third level is the Stakeholder Forum which relatively still more expensive to purchase. lighthouse and demonstration includes all other stakeholders including projects through which all forms of Ministries, Government Departments, Therefore, in order to assist in the electromobility applications can be Public Authorities, representatives from the achievement of this target, the demonstrated including testing of Automotive Industry, including car importers, Government is also contributing its share all forms of electric drive trains and Transport Operators, and other Professional by committing itself with a minimum of related emerging technologies; Associations such as representations from 25% of all vehicles that are purchased XIII. To promote and facilitate the building the social partners as well as NGOs, Malta by Government, including Ministries, up of the necessary human resources Enterprise, the emergency services, and the Government Departments, Public and to be able to meet the challenges Employment and Training Corporation (ETC). Authorities and other public funded ahead; entities, will be Battery Electric Vehicles. XIV. To assist the Government in creating Finally, the stakeholder forum also This commitment will start as from 2014. market stimulation measures for the includes representation from the uptake of the following: University of Malta, the Malta College for Another commitment that the Platform i. All forms of Electric Vehicles and the Arts and Sciences as well as the Malta will take upon itself is that whenever there Motor Bikes Council for Science and Technology. are new future Government policies, the
43 The Malta Electromobility Platform
The Structure
CHAIR MTI TM
DECISION MAKING AND CONSULTATION PROCESS
TM MTI MFIN MECW MSDEC
STAKEHOLDER FORUM
OTHER GOVERNMENT MEPA LOCAL COUNCILS ENERGY SERVICE DEPARTMENTS MRA ASSOCIATION PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT RENT A CAR EV CHARGING CAR IMPORTERS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (RACA) NETWORK OPERATORS
OTHER TRANSPORT NGOs CONSUMER ATTO GRTU CHAMBER OF OPERATORS ASSOCIATIONS COMMERCE
UOM MCAST MSCT ETC MALTA ENTERPRISE EMERGENCY SERVICES
Platform will see that Government policy Government believes that this is the way as the e-Car Sharing concept which is on electromobility and the electrification forward to a faster reduction in Malta’s becoming a convenient, sustainable and of transport is included or reflected in such dependence on petrol and diesel fuels cheaper way to travel as far as personal policy areas, like for example, future policies through the deployment of new drive passenger transport is concerned; on energy and fuel strategies, policy areas concepts and technologies as well as the as is being seen in many European relating to Climate Change and Air Quality, introduction, in a phased manner, of the cosmopolitan cities. road infrastructure and spatial planning. latest modern transport solutions such
User Centric Approach to the Individual Components
ITS BEV
TRANSPORT
USER SMART INFRASTRUCTURE RELATIONSHIP CHARGING RES
SMART GRID
44 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
45
6. Showcasing Electromobility 6. SHOWCASING ELECTROMOBILITY
With national levels of transport be maximized to their full potential emissions reaching as high as 32% for through the deployment of the vehicles nitrogen oxide and 26% for benzene themselves and the carrying out of in 2011, it is evident that the Transport field tests that will provide important Sector is one of the main sectors that insights into the technological maturity needs to be dealt with if the ambitious of the vehicles and the different environmental targets are to be reached. charging methods; the vehicles energy requirements and user acceptance. The lack of tail-pipe emissions, the relative energy efficiency of the To this effect, EU funding was used to vehicles themselves and the potential focus on the following topics: of generating energy from renewable means, places electric mobility as a • Deployment and testing of Battery key factor in contributing towards the Electric Vehicles in the national achievement of these targets. However, context both in the passenger car the potential of electric mobility as a sector and the commercial sector; driving factor in reaching the 10% target • Charging methods, with a particular for 2020 very much depends on the focus on the provision and possibility electricity generation method, as well of carbon neutral transportation; as the market uptake of full electric • Informative and educational campaigns vehicles; two variables which can only targeted at potential users.
48 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
The Demo-EV Project
Demonstration of the feasibility of electric vehicles towards climate change mitigation
Ministry for Transport and Partnership Infrastructure, Transport Malta, Ministry for Gozo, Enemalta
Duration of Project Sept 2011 – Dec 2014
This project is co-financed at 50% EU Co-financing: through the LIFE+ financial Instrument
Website: www.electricvehiclesmalta.eu
Project objectives 2011 to December 2014. Twenty-four full The charging points are being installed electric vehicles varying from light goods in different localities across Malta and The main objective of this project is to vans to passenger vehicles of different Gozo targeting suitable public parking introduce BEVs in the Maltese Islands classes have been purchased and areas, and other easily accessible while demonstrating and testing distributed among volunteers ranging locations in urban cores taking into their feasibility in the Maltese urban from private households, commercial consideration a wide geographical and topographic context as well as delivery companies and government distribution to cover the entire Maltese demonstrating a solution towards entities. The vehicles will be tried and Islands. The pillars will be connected meeting Malta’s environmental targets. tested by private citizens and companies to the grid with a three-phase power who will use these BEVs as their primary supply to minimize the time it takes The Demo-EV project will: household/business car, and thus test to charge the vehicle from eight hours • Demonstrate how to attain Malta’s the actual feasibility of the vehicles when down to four hours. targets under the Climate Change applied in the day-to-day household/ and Energy Package; commercial needs. The charging points will be made • Implement measures included in the available to the public and will be Malta National Air Quality Plan; In this way, therefore, the vehicles will inter-connected and remotely managed. • Introduce EV charging infrastructure. be tested in the context in which they Therefore a system of pre-booking are meant to be used and the project of any single charging point will Specific Objectives: will be able to properly assess the be available. 1. Study whether carbon neutrality vehicles’ energy-efficiency and cost- can be achieved by recharging full effectiveness in the Maltese context • Pilot and demonstration period to test electric vehicles in buildings where while also assessing different ways of Full Electric Vehicles’ feasibility and photovoltaic systems are installed; re-charging the vehicles. adaptability within local topographic 2. Evaluate the actual energy efficiency and specific climatic conditions of BEVs; This will be done from single-phase 3. Inform potential users on full electric household electrical supply; three- Volunteers will use the cars for their vehicles and campaign towards the phase public charging points connected normal day-to-day use either as part of substitution of internal combustion to the national grid; household/business their household needs, business and/or engine vehicles with BEVs; electrical supply whereby photovoltaic administrative operations or commercial 4. Study the environmental and panels are installed at the volunteers activities depending on the type of the economic efficiency of different households/business establishments. participating volunteer. Volunteers will ways of recharging BEVs; be rotated periodically throughout the 5. Laying the foundations for a national Project actions: pilot project to maximize the number of car-charging infrastructure. vehicle users. • Deployment of 24 BEVs ranging from Project Implementation light goods vans to passenger cars of The volunteers are critical in the different classes demonstration element of this project This project will contribute towards these – they are the ones who will actually be objectives by implementing a pilot project • Installation of 90 charging points in testing the vehicles. From preliminary that has been running from September Malta and in Gozo findings results are encouraging,
49 50 One of the first volunteers who actually creation of a specific project website metres and charging points used to started to test these vehicles is the and other websites, TV commercials, charge the vehicles will be recorded. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure short documentary features, printed Comparative analysis of this data could himself, and the first results obtained so media, press conferences and press then start. far are positive. releases as well as billboards. The intensive campaign will start to take This will include: • Information Campaign – dissemination place from the end of 2013 and the 1. Energy Efficiency (comparative data of results nationwide beginning of 2014. tank-to-wheel of both conventional vehicles compared to BEVs); An important element of this project Expected Results: 2. Comparative analysis between unit is the information and education cost of electricity against normal campaign which will be carried out Since this project is essentially a field carbon based fuel (tank to wheel); while the vehicles will be rolled out test, the results will be gathered through 3. Comparative analysis of charging data during the demonstration period. a series of data gathering exercises between PV installed infrastructure Here, the results gathered during the throughout the demonstration period. vs conventional car charging in the demonstration – from the volunteers’ absence of PV infrastructure; surveys and data gathered from the Once the vehicles are deployed, the 4. Carbon savings from BEV charging vehicles will be disseminated as widely users will note their daily driving habits, through the electricity grid; as possible to the target audience which are being assumed to be equal 5. Carbon savings from BEV charging and stakeholders. The marketing to those made with a conventional where photovoltaic infrastructure tools chosen for the campaign are the vehicle. Data recording from electricity is present.
51 The Port PVEV Project
Demonstrating how to make ports more energy efficient as well as demonstrating the use of electric mobility in ports and port areas
Transport Malta, Catania Port Authority, Ministry for Transport and Partnership Infrastructure (Malta), Province of Caltanissetta
Duration of Project September 2012 to December 2014
EU Financing Programme: OP Italy-Malta 2007-2013
Project Website: www.portpvev.eu
Objectives of the Projects Activities An electric vehicle will be able to park PORT-PVEV Project under the structure, connect to the The PORT-PVEV objectives will be charging point and charge its battery This project will demonstrate how ports, reached in two ways: directly from the electricity generated port areas and their hinterlands can • Demonstration by solar power. This will demonstrate become carbon neutral with the aim of • Studies carbon neutral transportation. decoupling economic growth from non- renewable sources of energy. Demonstration The wide range of vehicles that will be bought as part of this project is Specific Objectives PV panels installed at port- intended to test different types of cars administration buildings (Malta in different scenarios. Tourists visiting Demonstrating reductions in port Transport Centre) will help to reduce the port area of Catania will be able operations’ dependence on non- port operations’ dependence on fossil to make use of electric bikes to travel renewable sources of energy through: fuels. Moreover, a span of 1,460.76 m2 of around the city; port officials working roof will be covered by PV panels that at the Gela port area will be making use 1. The use of solar energy to partly are estimated to generate 296,000 of crew vans in and around the port; power administrative buildings and kWh per annum. administration officers in the Valletta reduce port areas’ dependence on Grand Harbour will be making use of non-renewable source of energy, thus The project will study ways of how to full electric quadricycles and crew reducing green house gas emissions; use the solar energy produced to power vans as well as normal passenger cars 2. Deployment of solar car ports BEVs used within port areas. To this for their work-related travel needs. inclusive of BEV charging stations effect, a total of 37 BEVs, including All these different types of vehicles in public car parks within port passenger cars, light goods vans, crew will be demonstrated as part of the areas to contribute towards the vans, quadricycles, motorcycles and pilot project; the feasibility of the cars achievement of carbon neutral electric bicycles, will be bought and used tested and their efficiency promoted transport in ports; in port operations within the partner in view of the wider uptake of green 3. Launch electromobility in Catania, Gela port areas. modes of transport. and Valletta Harbour areas to partly substitute combustion engine vehicles Charging infrastructure to power these Studies used to service the respective port vehicles will also be purchased and operations; installed within the Partners’ port areas Local green plans for ports and port areas 4. Study options for future policy including solar charging stations which will be compiled to suggest future policies implementation to further decarbonise will be used to test whether completely for the implementation of green energy port areas including a feasibility carbon neutral road transport can be actions to further decarbonise port areas study of on-shore supply technology achieved. The Solar Charging Stations in each of the partner ports as a second for berthed vessels using electricity will be tent-like structures; covered stage to this project. The suggested from the national grid instead of by PV panels some of which will be actions will serve as a continuation to the using on-ship heavy fuel oil. connected directly to charging points. results achieved in this project.
52 The project will not only stop at road These include: with the aim of maximizing results transport, however. It will also study the i. 1 four-car solar car port at Cirkewwa achieved through this pilot project; feasibility of grid-connected infrastructure ii. 1 four-car solar car port at Deep to power berthed vessels using electricity Water Quay in Marsa • An assessment of the adaptability from the national grid instead of the high- iii. 3 one-car solar car ports at Ta’ Xbiex of different types of full electric polluting heavy fuel oil. Marina vehicles in port operations’ transportation needs; This will not only improve air quality Activities in Sicily within the port areas but also vastly • Generation of 296,000kWh per reduce noise generated by ship engines. The Port Authority of Catania annum of renewable energy sources through the use of photovoltaic Activities in Malta I. Deployment of full Electric Vehicles infrastructure; including 20 electric bikes and 1 Transport Malta passenger car • Deployment of 37 electric vehicles II. Installation of facilities to store and and electric bicycles which will i. Deployment of 11 full electric charge the electric bikes consequently substitute combustion vehicles including 2 light goods vans, III. Solar Charging Station: 1 four-car engine vehicles used within port 4 crew vans, 2 passenger cars, 3 solar car port in Catania harbour area areas thus providing for cleaner air quadricycles; IV. A Local Plan for future implementation quality within the partner port areas; ii. The installation of a Photovoltaic of green transport policies Plant to be installed on the roof of • Deployment of solar carports and Malta Transport Centre; Province of Caltanissetta car charging infrastructure at four iii. Charging pillars will be installed at localities within partner port areas; the Malta Transport Centre to charge I. Purchase of a number of BEVs including the vehicles deployed as part of the 3 crew vans and 2 passenger cars • Local plans focusing on the three project; II. Car charging infrastructure including 3 partner port areas that will pave the iv. Study into the feasibility of shore charging pillars at Gela port area way for future policy implementation side energy supply for berthed III. A Local Plan for future implementation on energy efficient transport. vessels at the port of Valletta. of green transport policies
Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure Expected Results
Solar Car Ports • A strategic assessment on whether and Charging Stations: solar power produced locally through PV plants installed on buildings and solar A number of solar car ports including car car charging ports is sufficient to offset charging points will be installed in key the energy necessary to power electric and prominent car parks in port areas. vehicles used to service port operations
53 54 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
55
7. The Malta National Electromobility Action Plan 7. The Malta National Electromobility Action Plan
The Goals 9. Networking the motor-vehicle 16. Demonstration projects for the industry through cooperation introduction of the Fifth Mode of Electromobility will contribute towards agreements, energy and information Transport in the form of automated the implementation of energy, climate technology sectors along new supply transport pods; and air quality policy goals. chains to increase the momentum in motion for electromobility and Market Acceptance Environment Protection innovation; 10. To achieve the above, measures will 17. To implement this change in a 1. Electromobility will make a be taken to step up research in all culture centered round climate and significant contribution to meet areas of electromobility, network environment protection social approval Malta’s climate mitigation targets; and extend research infrastructures and acceptance must be gained; 2. Using renewable sources of energy as well as promoting mutual 18. The MNEP will adopt a transparent, to meet the energy demands of BEVs exchange between researchers from consultative approach, an open will also contribute towards the 10% industry and science; dialogue with the public through target of clean transport fuel from information campaigns which aim to renewable sources of energy; The New Transport Age ensure the provision of information 3. The additional electrical energy on the implementation of the requirements in this sector will be 11. Electromobility is the first step in Malta Development Plan and engage in a met with electricity from renewable in a strategy to reduce oil dependency; broad dialogue; energies or from cleaner energy 12. Electromobility will assist in paving 19. The acceptance and market purchased from the European the way for a new culture of mobility development of electromobility Continent through the Malta-Italy and modern urban and development will be supported with the setup inter-connector currently being planning; of a regulatory framework and put in place. The prime source for 13. A number of plans and measures appropriate systems of incentives. electromobility will be electric will be put in place to speed up the current from variable renewable market entry of BEVs to achieve the energies as much as possible through Maltese Government ambitious target The Action Plan solar energy; of putting 5,000 BEVs on the road by 2020, possibly more, in the wake The Malta National Electromobility The Economic Sector that by 2050, most urban traffic will Action Plan outlines the promotion be without conventional vehicles. and deployment of BEVs, built 4. To make Malta the first electromobility This will also entail the deployment around a horizontal strategy with networked island; of the appropriate car-charging the collaboration of all possible 5. Use innovative procurement infrastructure; stakeholders envisaged, including management in the public sector 14. Besides private transport, the MNEP different Governmental Departments, to create volume in BEV purchase; will also support the introduction Public Authorities, Public and Private 6. Setting up of new business models of electromobility for commercial Corporations and Companies, the for electromobility to provide more transport purposes (e.g. urban goods Automotive Industry including both opportunities for more growth through delivery vehicles, local public transport) OEMs and local car importers, Social new products and services; and two-wheeled vehicles; Partners, academics and researchers. It 15. Additional support action through a includes all the economic actors of the Research and Development number of schemes and demonstration country because transportation is one of projects for introducing electromobility the main economic sector. 7. Supporting standardisation; for public transport (e.g. mini buses for 8. Promote research to interlink industry local public transport and larger buses It also provides for devising a scheme and science as closely as possible; using hydrogen Fuel Cells); to integrate the additional power
58 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN demand generated by electromobility information, networking and knowledge The implementation of the MNEAP is into the grid, link this demand with transfer, as well as direct investment. summarised in the diagram below. renewable energy sources and use electromobility to contribute to grid The Malta Nation Electromobility Action The implementation and development load management. This will ultimately Plan is made up of five important pillars: of the MNEAP as presented will be place Malta as a lead market for carried out over a seven year period, electromobility and enhance the long- 1. Plans and Measures roll out for officially commencing from January term competitiveness of the country. market penetration 2014 and will be completed by the 2. A number of Demonstration Projects end by December 2020. Although The creation of the MNEP is intended 3. Marketing and Education Campaign one must say that considerable to install the participation of all to speed up Public Acceptance work has already been carried out the stakeholders through concerted 4. Human Resources Build up as part of both the Demo-EV and action revolving around exchange of 5. International Cooperation PORT-PVEV projects.
The Malta Electromobility Platform
Approach
PHASED DEPLOYMENT
LEVEL ONE 2013 2013 - 2017 2016 - 2020
PREPARATION OF THE PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE & FULL LIGHTHOUSE PROJECTS INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET DEPLOYMENT
LEVEL TWO 2014 2014 - 2020 2015 - 2020
START OF GOVERNMENT PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FLEET CHANGE - TRANSPORT OPERATORS
LEVEL THREE 2013 - 2020 2014 - 2020 2014 - 2020
INTERNATIONAL JOINT EUROPEAN LIGHT R&D PROJECTS COOPERATION HOUSE PROJECTS
2014 - 2020 : EDUCATION VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND GREEN JOB CREATION
The timeframes for the implementation both on an International as well as on a of the plan are specifically chosen to national level to make sure that BEVs are coincide with the timeframes of the EU put on the market as from 2014. In the targets set for 2020. meantime, officials from MTI and TM started working on the incentives and The MNEAP is divided in three levels, each other initiatives that will be launched level commencing on approximately the by Government as from 2014. Moreover same start date, for the simple reason the partners in the Demo-EV Project led that all levels complement each other and by MTI continued their preparatory work one cannot do without the other. for the installation of the national car- charging infrastructure so that this would In addition to the above, intensive be in place by the end of 2013 and in time consultations are being carried out with to coincide with the roll out of the BEVs the forerunners in the production of BEVs, deployed by the same project.
59 ROLLOUT OF THE ACTION PLAN
LEVEL ONE
PREPARATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE & FULL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS MARKET DEPLOYMENT 2013 - 2020 2013 - 2020 2016 - 2020
LEVEL TWO
START OF GOVERNMENT PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FLEET CHANGE - TRANSPORT OPERATORS 2014 - 2020 2014 - 2020 2015 - 2020
LEVEL THREE
INTERNATIONAL JOINT EUROPEAN LIGHT R&D PROJECTS COOPERATION HOUSE PROJECTS 2014 - 2020 2013 - 2020 2014 - 2020
LEVEL ONE - INFRASTRUCTURE PREPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT 2013 – 2020
CAR CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
Keeping in mind the fact that Malta will soon be bound by European mandatory targets to put in place national car charging infrastructure, Government is taking into consideration, as a bench mark, the current proposed EU target for Malta of 500 public charging points by 2020.
The Government’s plan is to have deployed a mix and match of the latest technology on the market. In fact, the first 90 charging points that are currently being installed across Malta and Gozo could easily be upgraded to meet the advancement in battery technology and charging needs. The deployment of the car charging infrastructure will be done in phases as indicated in the next figure. The deployment includes a mix and match of technologies that would be available on the market at the time of deployment and will be in the form of slow, semi-fast and fast charging points, depending on the status of the technology at the time of deployment.
Funding for the deployment will very much depend on the type of infrastructure that will be installed. If the technology being deployed is new on the market, these will be funded
60 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
2013 90 charging points
2014 15 charging points
2015 50 charging points
2016 50 charging points
2017 45 charging points
2018 80 charging points
2019 70 charging points
2020 100 charging points
Car Charging Infrastructure Expenditure 2013 - 2020
2013 - € 300,000
2014 - € 225,000
2015 - € 375,000
2016 - € 375,000
2017 - € 300,000
2018 - € 300,000
2019 - € 450,000
2020 - € 750,000
through demonstration projects, while • One four-car Solar Car Port at Deep ambitious programme to put in place other charging points similar to what Water Quay in Marsa a number of photovoltaic plants within is already installed, will be through a • One four-car Solar Car Port at the public car parks. Government will be mix and match of both EU and national Cirkewwa Harbour Car Park open to private public partnerships for funds. Additionally, if the demand • Three one-car Solar Car Ports at the such infrastructure to similar initiatives exceeds the projected deployment due Ta’ Xbiex Marina by the private sector where private/ to a rapid BEV take-up in a particular public car parks are concerned. locality, additional charging pillars will Similar additional Solar Car Ports will be be deployed in that specific area. installed as from 2015 onwards in locations Such are a number of public car parks such as Sliema Ferries, Marsaxlokk, where these Solar Car Shelters can SOLAR CAR PORTS Birzebbuga, Ta’Qali, Qawra, Marsa – Menqa, be installed. The MNEP is looking at Mgarr (Gozo) and Victoria (Gozo), Malta areas which could yield a significant By the end of 2014, the MNEP would International Airport provided that EU funds generation of Solar Power. These have installed five state-of-the-art are secured and subject to MEPA permits. potentially include, Ta’Qali parking solar car ports in a number of locations areas, Mellieha and Golden Bay around sea ports. These Solar Car Ports SOLAR CAR SHELTERS car-parks, Rabat Saqajja Car Park, are going to be financed with a mix of Marsxlokk Car Park and Park and EU Funds (OP Malta-Italia 2007-2013) In addition to the Solar Car Ports, Ride Facilities such as that of Marsa and National Funds. the MNEP will also be working on an and Pembroke.
61 HYDROGEN FUEL STATION
One of the most ambitious programmes would be an appropriate onshore wind Government is also open to implement of the MNEP over the coming seven farm with three wind turbines or a solar this project on a PPP arrangement with years will be the building of a hydrogen farm, whereby enough energy will be the private sector, although the financing fuel station. In order to be viable, the generated to power the small onsite of the hydrogen technology would come station will also offer the sale of LPG, electrolysis plant needed to produce from the new EU Hydrogen Joint Technical biofuels, petrol and diesel. It is still being hydrogen. Currently the MNEP is looking Initiative II under the new EU Programming considered whether accompanying this at areas where this station can be built. Period 2014 - 2020.
PROPOSED PROJECT
LEVEL ONE – DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 2014 – 2020
PROJECTS
In order to step up market entry of BEVs, a three year period, the scheme could either 4 Driver-less Pods gradual switch to the electrification of the be renewed, or have the fleet added to various modes of transport, including the the Government general fleet to replace This is a Demonstration Project using preparation for the respective infrastructure, conventional vehicles. For the duration the latest cutting edge technology being the Government through the MNEP will of the project, the management of the currently tested in the UK. The project is embark on a number of projects. Funding scheme would be awarded to a third party. currently being evaluated. will come from various sources, including EU Funds, National Funds, soft loans and direct 5 Public Transport Electric private investment in a number of Private Project: Adopt an EV Routes Project Public Partnership arrangements. Deployment: 100 BEVs This is another Demonstration Project The following are a number of which will be carried out in conjunction demonstration and pipeline projects that with the public transport operator, are being prepared in this regard. It is to be 2 The Ultra Pod Project where a main route would be chosen noted that some of these projects below for the use a high capacity electric bus. include the deployment of infrastructure The project will connect together specific Vehicles will be fast charged on certain already referred to above. locations by means of driverless electric bus stops and interchanges using “Quick pods. The project’s aim will be higher Charging Technology”. A good number of these projects are accessibility through electromobility. intended to accelerate BEV deployment Locations where this will be implemented 6 Urban Public Transport and will directly contribute to the National are still being studied. However targeted Electric Routes Project Target to deploy 5,000 BEVs on Maltese areas are the environs of Mater Dei Roads. Each project below indicates the Hospital, University of Malta as well as This demonstration project will also be number of BEVs that will be purchased Cottonera. used in conjunction with other potential through these demonstration projects. The partners including transport operators budgets and sources of funding for these 3 The Light Rail Project and local councils. The project includes projects are already identified. the purchase and deployment of 20 of A feasibility study and actual the latest Electric Mini Buses on the 1 The Adopt an EV Project implementation (if proved to be feasible) market, which will service secondary of a light rail system using induction bus routes or circular routes in towns The ‘Adopt an EV Project’ includes the technology to carry public passengers and villages, interconnecting routes purchase of one hundred different types using scheduled public transport from the to the town/ village bus interchanges. of Electric Vehicles by the MNEP (in Floriana P+R to Valletta City Gate (and The locations that these buses would partnership with the Ministry for Transport possibly City Centre) and back. The project be used in are those locations which and Infrastructure) for the purpose of will also include the semi pedestrianisation suffer most from high localised traffic the project. The project involves the set of St. Anne Street in Floriana. generated pollution. up of a scheme whereby the general public, (where beneficiaries must have Feasibility Studies on Mass Public Transport: installed at their residence a photovoltaic A number of studies and options analyses Project: Urban Transport Electric Routes infrastructure), would be invited to scrap will be launched to assess the feasibility of their vehicle in return for the use of a underground, light rail and monorail systems Deployment: 20 BEV BEV for a period of three years. After the in specified locations around Malta.
62 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
7 The Solar Car Shelters Project industry, the situation in Western Europe of Local Councils. For the purpose of this proved to be somewhat different with project, Malta is being divided in different This project includes a number of solar new car registration showing a slump, e-Car Sharing Electromobility Hubs. car parks and car charging infrastructure year on year to a decline of 8.3% (-11.7 Through this project, a National e-Car in main parking areas to demonstrate million vehicles) the lowest since 1993. Sharing Platform will be put in place. carbon neutral transport as already The greatest declines were registered indicated. in Italy (19.9%), France (-14.1%) and Spain (-13.4%) which in effect mirror Project: e-Car Sharing 8 The Carbon Neutral the economic problems faced by these Transport Project countries in the same year, a situation Deployment: 30 BEVs totally different from that of the UK which Additional solar car ports in main parking registered a 5.3% increase, while Germany areas to demonstrate carbon neutral registered a decline of 2.9%. 11 The Hotel e-Car Sharing, Project transport as indicated above and the purchase of 6 BEVs for the use of Local In the rest of the world, global demand This is another demonstration project Councils participating in the project for automotive-related financial for which EU funding will be sought. services remained high in the reporting The aim of the project is to demonstrate Project: Carbon Neutral Transport period. Customers are paying closer e-car sharing to increase the added value attention to the total cost of mobility of tourism. The e-car sharing initiatives and are increasingly deciding just to use will be demonstrated within a chain of Deployment: 6 BEVs a car, rather than actually owning one. In hotels or a number of hotel chains and view of this, new mobility services such includes the purchase of 30 additional 9 Solar-PV-Noise Project as car sharing are gaining in importance BEVs and fast charging infrastructure. and popularity. Potential project partners are the MIA, This Demonstration Project includes the MTA, TM and Hotel Chains. installation of Solar-PV-Noise barriers The leasing sector in Germany continued along identified stretches of road to expand in both the commercial especially in areas of high ecological vehicle and passenger car segments in Project: e-Car Sharing - Hotel importance. The project would be the 2012 fiscal year. carried out with the participation of the Deployment: 30 BEVs private sector. The project will target the The influential portal, Automotive production of renewable energy sources News Europe in May 2013 reported that which will be fed into the grid and provide according to Frost & Sullivan, car-sharing 12 The e-Car Sharing, Gozo Project protection against traffic generated in Europe is expected to grow to 15 million noise pollution, using a technology users by 2020, compared to the current This demonstration project is similar to the that has dual functionality. The project 700,000, where the greatest potential above, to which EU funding will be sought. will also include the purchase of an markets are expected to be Germany, The aim of the project is to demonstrate additional 5 Electric Vans for the use of France and the UK and where 1 in 3 of each e-car sharing to increase the added value the Road Maintenance Unit within the car sharing vehicle would be an Electric of tourism in Gozo. The e-car sharing Road Infrastructure Directorate of TM. Vehicle.27 projects will possibly be demonstrated at Mgarr and Victoria, Gozo. The project Project: Solar PV-Noise The Automotive industry itself is taking includes the purchase of 30 BEVs and Fast the plunge to have a share of the growing Charging Infrastructure. car sharing market. Ford just launched Deployment: 5 BEVs Ford2go while Daimler and BMW are extending the service they are already Project: e-Car Sharing - Gozo 10 The e-Car Sharing Project offering to customers. Daimler has extended its service Car2go in partnership Deployment: 30 BEVs BACKGROUND with Europcar and BMW with its program DriveNow in partnership with Sixt. During 2012, there was a mixed 13 Electric Water Taxis Project performance in the international car This demonstration project being markets. While the emerging economies proposed here includes the purchase This project will demonstrate the use of of Brazil, China and India continued to of 30 BEV of various types and classes the electric battery in water taxis and show growth and hence proved to be which will be done in partnership with a ferries. EU funding will be sought for important markets for the automotive car leasing/hire company and a number this project. For the implementation of
27 http://www.autonews.com/article/20130530/ANE/130529917/ford-joins-europe-car-sharing-sector-as-demand-surges#ixzz2jUjZZP1B
63 64 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
65 this project, foreign partnership with 16 The Last-Mile Project a number of cities, such as Venice and Project: MODUS II Amsterdam, will also be sought. The The Last Mile Delivery of Goods Project project will be intermodal in nature and will be showcased in either of these Deployment: 5 BEVs hence will connect a number of different localities: Valletta, Mdina, Paola, modes; it will also include the purchase Victoria (Gozo) and will include the of charging infrastructure and two leasing of premises and the delivery 20 The H-Res Project electric mini buses per partner. of goods from the premises to city/ town centre using BEV. The project will A number of vocational and research also include the purchase of 20 electric projects will be launched. These will be Project: Electric Water Taxi delivery vans. financed through the Life-Long Learning Programme and ESF Funds. Potential Deployment: 2 BEVs partners are MCAST and UOM, the Project: The Last Mile industry and car agents.
14 The H2 Project Deployment: 20 BEVs 21 Research Projects and the creation of an Electromobility Research Hub This will be one of the major and most challenging projects of the MNEP. The 17 The ELECTRIC CYCLE Project Participation in a number of Research project will include the building and/ and Development projects to be or conversion of a Fuel Service Station This project will demonstrate pedelecs mainly funded by the EU Research into a hydrogen fuel station with the and charging infrastructure at bus programme, Horizon 2020. Research production of hydrogen on site through termini – Valletta, Mgarr (Gozo), Victoria will be on new vehicle concepts, battery electrolysis. The project will also include (Gozo), Mdina as well as a number of and new car structures and materials. the purchase of 3 of the latest Fuel Cell Local Councils of towns and villages The project will also see the creation Buses and three Fuel Cell M1 vehicles. with high tourism value. of an Electromobility Hub in possible The project may also be accompanied partnership with Malta Enterprise, by another project to build a Solar Farm International Automotive Companies, or a three-wind turbines. The project Project: The Electric Cycle University of Malta and MCAST. will be funded by the EU Hydrogen Joint Technical Initiative II with the Deployment: 200 BEVs 22 The BEV-KIDS Project participation of European Partners. Through this project a number of Electric 18 The Shore-Side Supply Project Buses (8) would be purchased and used Project: Hydrogen Fuel Station in conjunction with the Ministry of A shore-side supply pilot project will be Education for providing clean transport Deployment: 3H2 Buses demonstrated at the Port of Valletta for school children. This will contribute 3 M1 H2 Fuel Cell Vehicles if the completion of a feasibility study to cleaner air quality near schools in currently being carried out shows that urban centres. 15 The EV Essentials Project technology is feasible. The project will demonstrate shore-side supply Project: BEV-KIDS This project will demonstrate the use technology; how ships and ports can of BEV for Essential Services such as become cleaner by switching off their the Police, Civil Protection and Postal/ auxiliary engines to use electricity from Deployment: 8 Electric Buses Parcel Delivery Services. EU funds will the National Electricity Grid. be sought for this project. Projected deployment will include the purchase 19 MODUS II – ITS and demonstration of several types of BEVs and fast charging infrastructure. This project is a continuation of the MODUS project and will demonstrate a mix of ITS and BEV technologies. It Project: EV Essentials will demonstrate the latest Intelligent Transport Systems to enhance traffic Deployment: 20 BEVs management in urban cores and increase road safety. It will also demonstrate Infrastructure – Vehicle Technology (I2V and V2I) and vice versa.
66 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Time-Frames
The time lines for these proposed projects are as depicted in the figure below. The figure also shows the approximate number of electric vehicles that each project will be deploying on the road, up to a total of 482 BEVs.
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Adopt an EV Project 100 Ultra POD Project Light Rail and other Feasibility Studies Driver-less PODS Project Public Transport Electric Routes Project Urban Public Transport Electric Routes Project 20 Solar Car Shelters Project Carbon Neutral Transport Project 6 Solar-PV Noise Project 5 e-Car Sharing Project 30 e-Car Sharing - Hotel Project 30 e-Car Sharing - Gozo Project 30 Electric Water Taxis Project 2
H2 Project 6 EV Essentials Project 20 The Last Mile Project 20 Electric Cycle Project 200 Shore-Side Supply Project MODUS II – ITS Project 5 H-Res Project Project Research Projects and the creation of an Electromobility Research Hub BEV-KIDS Project 8
LEVEL ONE - PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND FULL MARKET DEPLOYMENT 2016 -2020
Throughout the lifetime of the MNEAP, the array of projects indicated above. The The funding of the campaign would come the MNEP will be rolling out a marketing object of the educational campaign is that from a mix of National and EU funds, some of and educational campaign intended to by 2020, the general public would have which will be incorporated within the design promote the new technologies through accepted BEV technology. and schedule of the projects listed above.
LEVEL TWO - GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES 2014 – 2018
ROLL OUT OF PROPOSED MEASURES for 2014 – 2020
Government commitment towards Government will introduce a number of with the Government’s holistic strategy electromobolity is in line with the current measures to incentivise both the use of to reduce traffic generated air-pollution Government’s Work Programme, where renewable energy sources as well as to and improve air quality levels. there is a clear commitment that the promote electromobility. This is in line
67 With respect to Battery Electric Vehicles, OEMs prefer to export BEVs where they A number of non-monetary incentives from January 2014 to December can compete on a level playing field. will also be made available for those who 2020, Government will be introducing will be purchasing BEVs which includes a number of monetary and fiscal As from January 2014, the Government the right to book parking spaces, use measures which are intended to assist will be introducing the first direct of bus lanes as well as incentives on in the market penetration of the latest incentives in the form of scrappage the price of car batteries and subsidies Battery Electric Vehicles. Furthermore, schemes specifically for BEVs. These on the cost to charge BEVs at night for the Government has also committed come at a crucial time when the latest owners who do not have the facility of itself to put in place electric car charging BEVs are being put on the consumer home charging. These measures will infrastructure nationwide. market for the first time. be kept in place until the 5,000 BEVs national target is reached. Among the measures that Government In the past, there were similar initiatives will be considering is the exemption of introduced by previous administrations Implementation all registration fees (excluding VAT) and but the technology was not yet fully circulation fees for all electric vehicles developed as it is today thus making these As seen in the table on the right, measures 1 for the next seven years. incentives futile. and 2 shall apply to electric powered vehicles for personal, public and business use that Concrete Measures The incentives that will be rolled out derive their motive power exclusively from as from 2014 will serve as a test of an electric motor. Similar schemes will In line with the Government’s policy to consumers’ uptake as well as the reaction continue to run until Malta reaches its 5,000 encourage the uptake of Electric Vehicles of the local market, in particular that of Battery Electric Vehicles target. in Malta, the MNEP has forwarded a the car importers to see whether they are number of measures for the consideration willing to start importing the vehicles. All of the above schemes will be managed of the Ministry of Finance. The following is by the MNEP in conjunction with the Ministry a summary of all the incentives that the However, one still has to point out that of Finance and Transport Malta. Measures MNEP has proposed. there is still a limited range of BEVs on 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be implemented by the the market, although it is expected that Land Transport Directorate within Transport A package of measures has been by the end of 2014, a total of 17 new BEV Malta. The measures will only be a one specifically designed for BEVs take-up models would be put on the market. time grant. This condition does not apply to contribute towards the Government for Public Agencies and Private Companies goal to ‘green’ transport, to increase the During the course of 2014, the MNEP who have large vehicle fleets. Potential demand for BEVs by potential consumers will put forward for the consideration beneficiaries will fill in the necessary forms and to contribute towards the Green of the Government a number of fiscal published by the MNEP as provided in Economy Policy just published recently. incentives which would be rolled out eventual legal notices. This approach has been taken particularly each year in parallel with the supply due to the lukewarm approach taken by and demand of BEVs in the market by Additionally, a used BEV which is being car importers to start importing these leading automotive manufacturers. registered in Malta for the first time and vehicles which has been attributed to which previously was registered in an EU unclear consumer demand; which in turn In the meantime, the MNEP is already Member State shall be exempt from paying results from the relative high cost of entering into discussions with any Vehicle Registration Tax providing these vehicles when compared to internal commercial banks in order to provide that the vehicle mileage has not exceeded combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. additional measures to ease market 10,000 km at the time of registration in penetration of BEVs, including the Malta. Individuals who have made use Fiscal Incentives possibility of low-interest loans. The of previous scrappage schemes are not MNEP’s target is that such loans would eligible for these schemes. Individuals and Fiscal Incentives in the form of be in the region of 2.5% to 3.0% p.a on Companies who benefited from previous direct payments are a very effective a loan up to €30,000. schemes related to the purchase of Electric instrument to assist market entry of Vehicles are eligible for this scheme since BEVs as proven in other countries. In addition, the MNEP wil issue a scheme the technology has changed considerably. These are not only important to assist intended for companies for commercial market penetration but are usually use of BEVs in line with National State requested by OEMs before they even Aid Rules to increase BEV rollout, consider to start exporting BEVs in especially for companies which employ other countries. This is due to the fact fleet management. In the meantime, a that BEVs are generally more expensive number of existing measures relating than conventional vehicles and BEVs to BEV depreciation allowances will be would not be able to compete. Hence kept in place and strengthened.
68 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
Proposed Measures for 2015 Onwards
Measure 1 A grant of up to 25% of the purchase price of a new* Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) for vehicles in categories Through this measure it is expected that a total of M1 and N1 up to a maximum sum of €5,000. The scheme 280 Battery Electric Vehicles will be put on the road. will include a scrappage scheme specifically designed to encourage the replacement of ICE vehicles with BEV.
The scheme will apply as follows: i. A grant not exceeding the sum of €4,500 for the purchase of a new BEV (M1 and N1), which grant is intended for first time vehicle buyers.
ii. An additional grant of €500 on part i. above, for those owners who want to replace their existing registered ICE M1 or N1 vehicle with an M1 or N1 BEV providing such vehicle is de-registered and scrapped at an approved end- of-life vehicle facility.
* Second hand BEVs that are less than six months old with a iii. In addition to the above, electric vehicles which are smaller mileage of not more than 10,000 Km are also eligible. than M1 and N1 will also benefit from a grant of €1,500.
Measure 2 Households and Businesses that will be investing in both photovoltaic infrastructure (including those availing themselves of any PV related grants and that are capable of generating a minimum of 2.2kWp) together with Measure 1 above for the purchase of a BEV will be eligible for a further grant of €1,000 in addition to the grant on the PV infrastructure. Measure 2 will be applicable to all beneficiaries of Measures 1 above.
Measure 3 A grant of not more than 25% of the purchase price but not exceeding €500 will be given on a first come first served basis for the purchase of new Battery Electric Motor Cycles, Battery Electric Mopeds and Battery Electric Tricycles . The amount of such electric powered two and three wheel vehicles that will be financed under this scheme will be capped to the first 100 purchased.
Measure 4 Vehicle Registration Tax of newly registered new and used BEVs will be reduced to zero, provided the distance travelled by the used BEV has not exceeded 10,000 km before registration. This measure will be kept in place until the first 5,000 vehicles are registered or until the price of BEVs will reach that of conventional vehicles without the need for grants.
Measure 5 Electric vehicle owners who do not have access to home charging facilities due to the absence of the garage will be able to night charge their vehicle at subsidised rates
69 Impacts Outcomes
The expected impacts of these measures The expected outcomes of these measures are the following: are the following: i. Contribution for the achievement of i. Improve air quality the national target of 5,000 BEVs to be ii. Reduction of GHG Emissions put on the road by 2020; iii. Contribute towards the implementation ii. Contribute and assist the new of the National Air Quality Action Plan technologies employed to break into submitted to the EU Commission the consumer market and compete on iv. Contribution to the 10% RES fuel for an almost identical level playing field transport target under the Climate with ICE conventional vehicles within Change and Energy Package the same category of vehicles; v. Reduction of Traffic generated Noise iii. The proposed rates will reduce the Pollution general higher cost of BEVs when compared with ICE propelled vehicles. With the respective grants, the price of the BEV would be closer to conventional ICE vehicles, especially when the battery is leased on a monthly basis.
LEVEL TWO – START OF GOVERNMENT FLEET CHANGE 2014 -2020
Measure 6 As from next year, 25% of all vehicles purchased by Government (Departments and Ministries) have to be BEVs. In case of minimum numbers, between 1 and 5 vehicles, one of them should be a BEV. Between 5 and 10 vehicles, two of the vehicles shall be BEV. The Government will increase the percentage in an incremental manner and in accordance with the availability of the vehicles on the market.
Through this measure, Government wants The measure shall apply to BEVs intended to give a clear signal of its commitment for Government operational use, including towards electromobility and to increase Government Departments and Ministries. BEVs demand for increased take up. The scheme will continue to run until This is also being done to incentivise Malta reaches its 5,000 BEVs target until car-importers to start promoting the price of the new technology stabilises electromobility. Moreover, this measure and becomes equivalent to the price of is in line with S.L 174.07: Cleaner and More conventional vehicles, at which point all the Energy-Efficient Road Transport Vehicles Government fleet would have started to Regulations. The measure will target all be replaced. The above programme would types of BEVs. It applies to vehicles that be co-managed between the newly set up have never been registered in any country National Electromobility Platform and the and must be any of the following: Ministry for Finance with the assistance of the Licensing Department within the Land • M1 vehicles Transport Directorate of Transport Malta. • N1 vehicles • L7e (quadricycles)
70 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
71 LEVEL TWO – PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS 2014 – 2020
The participation of the private sector which ranges from the automotive This has been greatly manifested in the in the implementation of the MNEAP is industry itself up to transport operators. execution of the two projects currently of paramount importance for the MNEP. underway whereby without the The role of the private sector is evident The role that the private sector will play cooperation of the automotive industry in the inclusion of the private sector is also evident in its inclusion in most of and local car importers, these would within the MNEP stakeholder forum, the pipeline projects indicated above. have never been carried out successfully.
LEVEL THREE – INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 2013 – 2020
As early as May 2013, the Ministry for Green Jobs Transport and Infrastructure together with Transport Malta has started to The measures and projects provided The MNEP considers this as paramount explore the possibilities of entering into a for in the MNEAP have in mind a direct to enable it to implement the MNEAP number of cooperation agreements with contribution towards the creation and hence is already actively working major and leading automotive companies of Green Jobs in the Automotive, in this direction. Government is open to and other leading multinationals Energy and IT Sectors. This will in turn such agreements with all multinationals specialising in related services for electric contribute towards the creation of and other strategic partners that can vehicle infrastructure management and new jobs, safeguarding current jobs contribute towards the promotion of related services, including Intelligent through re-training and re-deployment, electromobility in Malta. Transport Systems. strengthening the forces for growth and hence contribute to the GDP and, above This is why a number of the projects This policy will be spearheaded by all, to the modernisation of the country. previously listed involve the participation the MNEP on behalf of the MTI and This will spill over to other economic of other European partners most of which TM and will be carried out throughout sectors, such as energy suppliers, will be strategic in nature. This is important the implementation phase of the public utilities, ICT service providers as regards technology and knowledge MNEAP. The second objective for these and research institutions who will also transfer especially from countries which are agreements is to bring to Malta the benefit from this Action Plan. forerunners in electromobility. In order not very latest cutting-edge technology in to be left behind, the MNEP will: electromobility to keep abreast with National and International the major EU Member States which Cooperation Agreements • Keep abreast with activities in are on the forefront of technology and electromobility in other countries and innovation. In turn, this will expose The first Memorandum of Understanding the automotive industry especially on our automotive and IT sector to (MoU) was signed with the French electric developing technologies, infrastructure, another niche of specialisation and will vehicle manufacturer Renault Z.E. The participation in pan-European projects, contribute directly towards the creation agreement was signed in Paris by the practices and standards; of a Green Economy and the creation of Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, • Involve itself in European roadmaps Green Jobs, a policy which has just been the Hon Joe Mizzi MP, and the Permanent and programmes on electromobility; launched by the Government through Secretary of the same ministry, during a • Coordinate and manage Government the Budget Speech. visit to the Renault Z.E Centre in Paris in procurement of BEVs; conjunction with the Demo-EV Project. • Involve itself in activities promoted or organized by the European The MNEP is currently working on similar Commission and open a working bilateral cooperation agreements with relationship with the European a number of international and multi- Investment Bank; national companies which have expressed • Involve itself in European Networks. interest to work with the Maltese Government in the field of electromobility.
72 MALTA NATIONAL ELECTROMOBILITY - ACTION PLAN
LEVEL THREE – DEMONSTRATION AND R&D PROJECTS
Participation in applied research will BEVs, especially the performance of BEVs urban and sub-urban environments stimulate R&D in Malta. Such research in situations where a lot of stop and go • Research on the optimisation of the activities can include the participation driving is involved as will be demonstrated electric motor of educational and research institutions in the Demo-EV Project. • Testing the use of fuel cells to supply such as the University of Malta and additional electrical energy in all- MCAST and include projects like; Additional research will be carried out in electric vehicles (range extender electrochemistry with the focus on respect of electromobility in the public through the use of hydrogen) electromobility and engineering, domain such as the proposed ‘Adopt a • Grid integration with the use including combined research in BEV Project’ - where a number of vehicles of ICT and Grid-BEV –charging energy storage units – such as battery will be given for three years in return for infrastructure interfaces technology and research in mobile energy scrapping a conventional vehicle. • Impact of BEVs on electricity converters, grid integration and fuel cell generation/optimisation of BEVs technology. A step further would be to Other demonstration projects with a and the grid develop joint curricula for the specific research element include research on • Interfacing ITS and BEVs promotion of junior scientists. integrated mobility schemes, use of • Studying the potential of mobile electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses energy storage (BEV battery energy The projects referred to earlier on, all and battery storage. storage) have an element of research built in • Data transfers and data gathering them to further knowledge on ICT/ITS Other research projects to be considered are: which is important for future for electromobility and smart grids; the mobility concepts and business performance of renewable energies • Hybrid buses for ecological/local public models sources and electromobility; Intelligent passenger transport (via the MNEP) • Data on driver behaviour car-charging infrastructure and intelligent • Small fleets of at least 10 mini buses • Ascertaining of kilometre costs parking and reservation of parking spaces on specific public transport routes • Carbon neutral transportation. intended for public car-charging. • Installing a pilot project for hydrogen fuel station The current projects that Transport • A pilot project with the use of Malta and the Ministry for Transport and Biomethane extracted from landfills Infrastructure are already involved in serve • BEV battery testing as part of R&D as data gathering exercises in car traffic activities management; BEV energy efficiency in • Involving local researchers in various situations, charging performance research projects relating to new as well as testing alternative charging materials and new technologies methods and infrastructures. Other fleet • Promoting Malta as a beta test site tests are being made with respect to for new BEV concept vehicle testing commercial traffic and commercial use of to test energy efficiency in specific
Standardisation and Interoperability
The MNEP will make sure that any in any way, all infrastructure put in is in the process of providing the infrastructure deployed by the private place will have to be interoperable Civil Protection Directorate with the sector would be interoperable and of and international standards employed necessary standardised equipment European standards. Private Operators including those relating to plugs, and safety wear for Civil Protection of car charging infrastructure would be power inputs and safety measures, Department (CPD) employees in case required to make use of the national standardised components and they need to be deployed on traffic platform for car charging and run on interfaces where applicable. This also accidents, rescue and salvage. In open standards. includes suitable metering technologies addition, the Ministry has organised and corresponding billing systems. With a short course for CPD and other Furthermore, to make sure that the roll respect to standardised safety, the emergency services on how to deal with out of electromobility is not hindered Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure situations involving an electric vehicle.
73 Abbreviations Used
BEV Battery Electric Vehicle
CPD Civil Protection Department
EV Electric Vehicle
GHG Greenhouse Gas
HEV Hybrid Electric Vehicle
HFCEV Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
FCEV Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
ICE Internal Combustion Engine
ITS Intelligent Transport System
MNEAP Malta National Electromobility Action Plan
MNEP Malta National Electromobility Platform
MNHFCTIP Malta National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Programme
NMVOC Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds
PHEV Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
PM Particulate Matter
PPP Public Private Partnership
PV Photovoltaic
REEV Range Extender Electric Vehicle
RES Renewable Energy Sources
RFID Radio Frequency Identification
R&D Research and Development
74
Malta National Electromobility Platform