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Batteries with limited storage capacity are the main hurdle to Germany's goal of putting 5 million electric cars on its roads by 2030, the Bloomberg news service reported today, citing the country's transportation and environment ministers.


Europe's largest car market wants at least 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020 and 5 million a decade later, environment minister Sigmar Gabriel said today in Berlin. Germany currently has about 55 million cars operating nationwide.


Germany lost its leadership in battery technology half a century ago and "desperately" needs to regain that expertise for electric car demand to rise, said Gabriel, echoing comments by transport minister Wolfgang Tiefensee.


Vehicles require a range of 124 to 180 miles without a recharge before technology can meet the demands of drivers, they said.


"The challenges are enormous," Tiefensee said. "But we need electric vehicles to reduce our dependence on oil."


Road transportation accounts for almost a fifth of global carbon-dioxide emissions, which are blamed for contributing to rising temperatures, and carmakers are looking for ways to make driving less harmful to the planet.


Emissions from Germany's transportation sector have risen more than 4 percent since 1990 while the country's overall CO2 output has declined.

Tags: BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Plug-ins and Electric, Batteries, Battery, Electric Cars, Electric Vehicles, Fuel Economy, Fuel Efficient, Germany, Hybrid

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Battery Capacity Reportedly the Chief Obstacle for Germany's Electric Car Goal was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.