At present, almost all private vehicles are powered by fossil fuels. However, climate change caused by high levels of CO ₂ emissions and the finite reserves of fossil fuels demand that alternative solutions be sought for the future. Currently, the most promising approach is considered to be the conversion of vehicles to efficient electric drive systems with electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries and fuel cells, and grid power supply based principally on renewable sources. The combination of electric drives with electrochemical storage units offers unique advantages especially for the use in motor vehicles. These advantages include the absence of local emissions (pollutants and noise) and high levels of efficiency and flexibility.

In addition to the materials and components for electrochemical storage units and their systems technology, the greatest challenge is the integration into the grid. A master plan is vital and should cover power generation, preferably from renewable sources, power distribution (grids), the vehicle, the interface between vehicle and grid and the additional infrastructure required (e.g. communication technologies for billing purposes).

In different research projects and fleet tests, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is busy developing solutions for industry and the energy sector within this master plan concept.