Main Activities
From studies to action
The eBRIDGE main activities are structured in four integrated stages:
- Market Analysis
- Implementation
- Validation
- Dissemination
Market Analysis
We will analyse the current situation and trends of electric fleets in the eBRIDGE targeted regions by assessing information about all context relevant issues (market overview, best practice, legal framework, policy, environmental impacts).
In addition the drivers, barriers and major challenges for the introduction of electric vehicles in urban fleets for passenger transport and commuting will be identified.
Based on these findings, the market potential of electric mobility, mainly for fleet offers will be assessed, constituting the baseline for the whole project. Differences and peculiarities in market ecosystems will help to evaluate the applicability of local solutions in other contexts and regions.
Implementation
We will follow up seven pilots in Berlin (Germany), Austrian municipalities (Austria), Vigo (Spain), Valencia (Spain), Milan (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal) and Carmarthenshire (United Kingdom) dealing with the issues of e-fleet performance and their marketability in terms of operational functioning and user’s attitude towards electric vehicles.
The eBRIDGE case studies (we call them “Drivers of Change”) will address specific local barriers and needs of the existing e-fleets, mainly consisting in development of usage concepts, usage monitoring, validation and optimisation, communication activities targeting user groups and potential new users. The results will serve as a basis to develop and optimise business models, taking into account infrastructure (mainly charging but also, for instance, car sharing parking spots), the carbon footprint of the fleets, relevant technological aspects and local policy frameworks.
Validation
We will analyse both short-term impacts during the project and the long-term impacts likely to occur after the project conclusion. Potential for replication, feasibility and scale-up of results will be assessed by developing scenarios for the solutions implemented.
The validation activities will be focused on reaching the following objectives:
- To understand perceptions of e-fleets and e-mobility business models amongst actual and potential users
- To understand the drivers of and barriers to participation in e-mobility schemes amongst current and potential adopters
- To assess behavioural change (including vehicle adoption and use) as a result of the eBRIDGE implementation experiences
- To measure immediate and longer-term impacts of the eBRIDGE case studies, including economic, social and environmental impacts
- To develop scenarios which assess the potential for up-scaled e-mobility schemes relevant to local, regional and European-level objectives.
Dissemination
At an initial step, we will promote eBRIDGE and let people and target groups (fleet operators, industry, car users, urban planners, transport experts, academics and associations) know about its goals and foreseen results and outcomes.
A wide variety of communication and dissemination activities will then be set up, mainly based on the project website, social networks, blogs, newsgroup involvement, local and national events, workshops and conferences.
The strategic eBRIDGE dissemination and networking approach aims to enhance and build on existing networks for sustainable mobility, smart cities, electric vehicles and energy saving, cooperating with these networks to initiate cross-community activities and exchanges.
Finally, we will foster knowledge transfer and exchange and promote the exploitation of eBRIDGE results, starting from a wide distribution of the eBRIDGE Start UP Kit and e-fleets guidelines.