The transition to new energy sources in passenger car traffic: An economic analysis for Germany (ECO-CARS)

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Project period: 01.10.2006 - 01.09.2009

This project is examining the economics of sustainable consumption in automobile transport in Germany.

The aim of this project is to ascertain the reasons for the decision to buy a passenger car. On the basis of this information strategies that will trigger and spread more sustainable consumption styles will be developed. Looking at the use of passenger cars, the project will therefore examine - from an economic standpoint - new sources of energy such as hydrogen, natural gas, electricity and biodiesel. These energy sources might in the long term offer higher levels of energy efficiency in automobile traffic and have enormous potential for reducing environmental damage.

This project will examine why passenger cars that use these alternative sources of energy and, particularly, cars that offer a higher fuel-efficiency standard have not found greater acceptance among consumers to date. This will entail, inter alia, conducting a nation-wide survey of households which will provide the basis for econometric and microeconomic analyses that take into consideration externalities such as pollution, network effects and R&D spillovers.

Project partners:

Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Martin Achtnicht
Institute of Applied Transport and Tourism Research (IVT), Marcus Bäumer
Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences, Professor Dr Ferdinand Dudenhöffer

Further information is available on the project website.

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