Technology Collaboration Programme by:
Technology Collaboration Programme by:
Menu
Task 50 aims to support the diffusion of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) in order to exploit their potential for more sustainable mobility. This requires a higher acceptance of LEVs, which could be supported by improved technologies and framework conditions for use and purchase or rent. Task 50 intends to contribute to this by collecting and sharing information, exchange about framing conditions, best practices and ideas, considering LEVs in the context of urbanisation, ageing societies and energy transition.
Vehicles considered in the task are three- and four wheeled LEVs which are either classified as L-category vehicles, Kei cars or Microcars. It also includes LEVs with pedals with electric assistance, categorised as “intermediate vehicles” between ordinary bicycles and cars, rickshaws and light electric vehicles for logistics applications (with or without pedals). Light EVs (M1) approximating the properties of class L7e might also be considered.
The catastrophic consequences of global warming are becoming increasingly clear and require swift and bold action, with transport being a key area. One approach to reduce transport emissions is the use of light electric vehicles instead of heavy and energy-intensive passenger cars. LEVs are suitable for replacing a significant proportion of car trips (see LEV4Climate study), but factors such as the current market situation, subsidy policies, cost structures and framework conditions for the use of LEVs are largely not conducive to further LEV diffusion. Therefore, light vehicles still are a niche topic.
A preceding Task 32, addressed this issue and succeeded in improving awareness of LEVs, e.g. by publishing an open access book on LEVs. However, we are still a long way from realizing their substantial potential in terms of saving energy and greenhouse gas emissions as well as reducing material and land use. The pressure to make our mobility more sustainable is high and changes are urgent. Multiple crises require us to economize energy in order to reduce emissions, save costs and manage with the energy that is available. This could change the general conditions for LEVs. Against this background, Task 50 extends the work from Task 32 in the context of global developments.
The main approach of Task 50 is to collect and exchange information, opinions and fields of research or action and to disseminate the results amongst stakeholders and policymakers. This shall be accomplished for the following thematic areas:
In June 2024, DLR and Ademe organised a workshop on new LEV concepts, localised production and regulation which took place in Paris and online. International experts from Germany, France, Belgium, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and Norway exchanged views on vehicle technologies, concepts, production and regulation. A combination of presentations, discussion rounds and a tour of an intermediate vehicle provided valuable knowledge and led to insightful discussions. The complex topic of regulation was highlighted by the LEVA-EU trade association and Aveli, followed by a lively discussion. The Extreme Defi project and the DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts provided exciting insights into their research on new vehicle concepts and vehicle manufacturers such as Microlino, Kyburz, Bluemooov and Gensol EV presented interesting facts about their respective vehicle models. In addition, the companies Constin, Bluemooov and Ava presented promising approaches for the utilisation of identical parts in different models and local, distributed production.
It became clear that there are still many hurdles for LEVs in the area of regulation. With regard to the production of vehicles, interesting approaches were highlighted and discussed that could increase cost efficiency and address the challenges of small scale production numbers. All in all, a very valuable exchange took place between the experts, which is to be continued in a next workshop focusing on ecological aspects and life cycle analysis. This workshop will be a hybrid event in Germany, Frankfurt am Main and online, June 26th, 2025.
An extensive and inspiring collection of a wide variety of LEVs provided by the Extreme Defi project can be found in the LEV vehicle database
IEA EV TCP Task 50 on Light Electric Vehicles started in 2023 and will end in 2026. Participation is of interest for universities, research organisations, and public authorities as well as manufacturers and companies active in this field. Task 50 “Light Electric Vehicles” was initiated by Germany and during the ExCo meeting following countries already expressed their interest to join: France and Republic of Korea. Other countries interested to join can take contact with Task 50 Task Manager.
