EUROPE, GERMANY, eMoVe – Electromobility Moves Aachen

 The Aachen region is once again part of the model region Electromobility Rhein-Ruhr, funded by the federal government, with the project eMoVe, headed by the RWTH Aachen Institute of Urban Planning and Transport. The goal of the project is to create framework conditions for an electromobile mobility association, eMoVe, in the region. The project has an entire volume of abuot 2 million Euros and a funding volumen of 1.4 million Euros from the federal government. As a part of the project, business models and processes will be developed and tested, further electric vehicles will be integrated into vehicle fleets, electromobility stations will be set up, and electromobility components for commula planning processes will be worked out.

 The project also involves current proposals from transport and urban development in Aachen by working with the Aachen Transport Development Plan and the Richtericher Dell construction project. The project partners wish to collectively develop the topic of electromobility and anchor it in the region by June 2015. Project partners include the RWTH Aachen Institute of Urban Planning and Transport, the City of Aachen, ASEAG, AVV, the car-sharing service cambio Aachen, EcoLibro mobility consulting, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Probst & Consorten marketing consulting, and STAWAG.  The RWTH Aachen Instiute of Urban Planning and Transport is the lead manager for the project.

Funding from the Federal Government

The federal government funds comprehensive electromobility demonstration projects in Germany. The Electromobility Rhein-Ruhr model region has been funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Urban Development, BMVBS for short, within the framework of the federal program Electromobility in Model Regions, since 2009. NOW GmbH Nationale Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology coordinates the electromobility model regions. The federal ministry covers about 68 percent of the 2 million Euros cost of eMoVe.

Inclusion of Electromobility in Communal Planning Processes

A total of four project components are scheduled. The inclusion of electromobility in communal planning processes is the first project component. One component "electromobility" will be worked out for transport development plans, in order to improve the organizational and legal prerequisites for further expanding electromobility. This will be integrated into the new Aachen Transport Development Plan and designed so that it can be transferred to other cities. Furthermore, a 100 percent e-mobility scenario will be developed for the residential area in Aachen "Richtericher Dell", which is currently be planned. Processes for urban land-use planning and development will be derived from this area to be transfered to other areas.

Integration of Mobility Services

In order to create an electromobile mobility assocation, the public transportation services, e-car sharing services, motorbike rental systems, e-delivery services, and e-taxes regarding charge, information, and distribution all have to be integrated in another project component. To accomplish this, different models are investigated within eMoVe for their basic applicability in Aachen and how they can be transferred to other regions. User needs and willingness to pay in specific situations will also be empirically investigated. Rate solutions for mobility packages, that can be implemented with existing technical solutions, will be practically tested, and their effects will be evaluated.

Introduction of Electric Vehicles in Vehicle Fleets

A consulting service will be designed for the third project component through close collaboration with businesses. The service will provide support with the introduction of e-vehicles to vehicle fleets. Introduction strategies for reference users such as communal operations, taxi businesses, delivery services, and car sharing services will be developed based on this.  Practical help for this introduction will be offered during a workshop for companies. Furthermore, there is also the limited possibility for particularly interested companies to receive individual consulting.

Development of Mobility Stations as Connection Points

E-mobility stations (design, construction, financing) that are compatible with the city will be developed using the results from E-Aix. Prototypes will be constructed in four places with dimensions suitable to their location. The goal is to create a modular basic construction, that is variable and scalable with consistency in both function and design. The demands of the locations (setting parameter) will be taken into consideration.

The Project E-Aix

The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Urban Development funded investigations into introducing electromobility in the Aachen region between March 2010 and Octobe 2011. The Aachen region was already part of the Electromobility Rhein-Ruhr model region at that time. The effects of electromobility on energy grids, the regional transport scence, and urban infrastructures were investigated in the E-Aix project. Electrical commerical vehicles were integrated into the city vehicle fleet and a motorbike rental system was established.

The Model Region Electromobility Rhein-Ruhr

The project eMoVe is imbedded in the model region Rhein-Ruhr. In an initial phase from mid 2009 to the end of 2011, it comprised projects on the Rhein and Ruhr, that covered the entire spectrum of electromobility. A total of 200 vehicles, including private vehicles, busses, commerical vehicles, scooters, and motorbikes, were use. A project-related charging infrastructure was created, that encompassed over 530 charging stations. The second phase of the model regions program has been in progress since the beginning of 2012. It expands based on the knowledge gained in the first phase, and will run till mid 2015.  By 2015, 450 vehicles from 11 projects will be implemented in Germany's largest metropolitan regions. Another 400 charging stations will be installed. Work on the eMoVe project in Aachen began in December 2012. The first kick-off meeting took place in February 2013. The project partners have till June 2014 to promote the development of electromobility in and for Aachen.