Electric vehicle technology: a worldwide perspective

The Electric Vehicle Symposium, EVS15, that shall take place in Brussels from 28th September to 3rd October 1998 is devoted to "A Future for the City". Electric vehicles are, for cities, an important factor for improving the traffic in urban areas and creating a healthier environment. It is a dream for the human being, city traffic without exhaust gases and low noise. This is already being partly realised by trams, undergrounds and railways and other recently developed automatic and light rail systems (e.g. airport shuttles). But cars, vans, buses and lorries are route-independent vehicles for low and high speed, for city traffic and long distances. Their energy must be stored on board. Today's technology includes modern motor design influenced by power electronics and automotive views, energy sources performing better and better to match acceptable vehicle performances and performance control and data acquisition. Some basic considerations about electric and hybrid vehicles, today and in the mid-term, are presented together with infrastructure developments.