Most large automobile manufacturers have announced, that they will be offering vehicles powered partially or completely by electric drive systems by 2012. These cars of the future will be powered with electricity from the socket (which is why they are called "plug in vehicles"). For Germany, optimists estimate that one million electric cars will roam German streets by 2015. A more conservative estimate assumes some 500.000 EVs on the road in 2015. Experts assume, that virtually all new cars will be at least partially powered by electricity in 2025.

Two main reasons drive this development of electric mobility:

• As oil demands rise, the supply will diminish. This means that oil and petrol prices (and also prices for substitute fuels such as natural gas or bio fuels) will increase steadily. Current surveys estimate that existing oil reserves will not suffice to cover a growing demand at current prices (meaning prices below 100 USD/barrel). At the same time, higher prices make the exploitation of tar sands and the extraction of fuels from coal economically feasible - both techniques place heavy burdens on the environment.

• Soon, combustion engines will no longer be able to meet the high emissions standards on national and European level. In 2015, manufacturers' fleets may on average emit no more than 130g/km and standards will again increase sharply by 2020. Without including cars at least partially powered by electricity in their fleets, automakers will not be able to meet these requirements. But of course, the energy generation also matters. Replacing a combustion engine's emissions with coal-fired electricity will not reduce CO2 emissions. By charging electricity from renewable sources, especially controlled according to fluctuating generation, this calculation will pay off!

Automobile manufacturers and politicians alike acknowledge that electric mobility can be a solution to some of these problems while being an important market at the same time.

A European competition has begun! France requires all new buildings, whether public or private, to offer charging spots for EVs. French automakers have responded to these incentives by announcing several EVs to enter the market during the course of the year. Grid operators can also benefit from electric mobility, but most importantly it offers advantages to you:

• Cost-effective Mobility. Today, driving a standard petrol or diesel fuelled car costs between 10 and 12 Euros per 100 km (with a standard consumption of 8 l/100km). An EV covers the same distance at 2 to 3 Euros, powered from the socket.

• Clean Mobility. Dangerous emissions (CO2, NOx, SOx)are reduced to zero when driving with electricity - particulate matter is reduced to abrasion dust from tyre wear. Electric mobility also reduces noise pollution.

• Grid Integration. Expanding renewable energy generation poses new challenges to grid operation. To reduce inefficiency in grid operations and to stabilise the grid operators are in urgent need of additional storage units.In the future, EVs will pose a mobile storage system at their disposal.

• Independent Mobility. Electric mobility reduces the dependence on fossil fuel imports. Electricity can be generated locally from renewable resources.