Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Sociology - Economy and Industry, grade: 1,0, University of Trier (Chair of Environmental and Urban Economics), course: European Environmental Economics, language: English, abstract: This paper will focus on the e-mobility and the evolution of electric vehicles and discuss environmental issues that are closely connected to the green movement. First a brief overview of the environmental aspects, related to the topic mentioned will be given. There will be a discussion not only on those aspects on a national level but also on a European and global level. Furthermore, this text will deal with the technology of the e-mobility and focus on exploring which economic, environmental and political aspects are connected with e-mobility and environmental concerns in Germany. Additionally, an international comparison between Germany and France, and Germany and the USA will be made; to enable the reader to know where these countries stand concerning sales of electric vehicles, political action and infrastructure of e-mobility. Over the past 40 years one can observe an evolution of “environmental concern” in several areas. This transition is called an evolution from environmentalism to green. There is a shift from emphasizing environmental problems to the underlying problems with our social, economic, technical or legal system. Further, the geographical focus changes from local problems to global issues. There has been a gradual change in the attitude towards business. From the business as the core of the problem to the business as a part of the solution to problems can be observed as well. From a marketing point of view one can observe the emerging importance of green awareness in the media during the late 80s. It is argued that a change in consumption behaviour of consumers led to the reaction of the producers. Moreover, since the early 1990s, more than 85% of the multinational companies in Europe have adapted themselves to this green movement by changing their way of production. In this connection, not just specific sectors in the European economy have been affected by this adjustment process, but almost every line of businesses. Technological change is denoted as a possible solution to some negative environmental effects. In the same context it is added that new technologies also may introduce new environmental issues, such that the strategic management towards sustainability became increasingly important.

Global warming resulting from the use of fossil fuels is threatening the environment and energy efficiency is one of the most important ways to reduce this threat. Industry, transport and buildings are all high energy-using sectors in the world and even in the most technologically optimistic perspectives energy use is projected to increase in the next 50 years. How and when energy is used determines society's ability to create long-term sustainable energy systems. This is why this book, focusing on energy efficiency in these sectors and from different perspectives, is sharp and also important for keeping a well-founded discussion on the subject.

In the United States, proposals for gasoline tax hikes have consistently met with broad-based congressional opposition. Although such taxes are a common and effective method of conserving energy in other industrialized nations, U.S. policy has traditionally relied on regulatory programs rather than fuel taxes to promote energy efficiency in automotive transportation. This book examines both the political causes and the economic effects of this idiosyncratic policy preference. Moderating the consumption and importation of oil has been an explicit goal of the United States over the past twenty years. Pietro S. Nivola and Robert W. Crandall argue that a higher levy on gasoline would be a more efficient way of achieving this goal than current automotive fuel economy standards. In fact, they find that an additional excise of less than twenty-five cents per gallon over the past dozen years would have conserved more oil than has the existing policy of administering gas mileage requirements for new passenger vehicles. And such a tax, they maintain, would not be as detrimental to the economy as opponents fear, nor as regressive as they claim. Why, then, is there such a strong national resistance to a fuel tax in the United States? And why is there less resistance in other countries? The authors examine the development of motor-fuel excises in Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada, and explain the historical and political factors that have led to different national policy orientations. Turning their attention back to the United States, Nivola and Crandall show how regulatory measures have fallen short of their goal and why political barriers to bolder taxation of gasoline remain formidable. They conclude by offering suggestions for new directions in U.S. energy policy at the federal, state, and local level.

Semiannual, with semiannual and annual indexes. References to all scientific and technical literature coming from DOE, its laboratories, energy centers, and contractors. Includes all works deriving from DOE, other related government-sponsored information, and foreign nonnuclear information. Arranged under 39 categories, e.g., Biomedical sciences, basic studies; Biomedical sciences, applied studies; Health and safety; and Fusion energy. Entry gives bibliographical information and abstract. Corporate, author, subject, report number indexes.