News 20 July 2017 News from SKAO
Driving electric cars to reduce carbon emissions in the company
In 2016 the amount of electric vehicles (EV) used rose to 2 billion worldwide. However, the total share of electric cars amounts to 0,2 percent of all vehicles that were sold worldwide in that same year. The road to a significant share of EV’s that contribute to the fight against climate change is still long.
Thus concludes the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a report that was recently published. With more than 200 million electric bicycles and more than 300.000 electric busses sold in 2016, China stands as a worldwide frontrunner in sustainable transportation, the IEA reports.
Frontrunners of EV’s in Europe are Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. With 29 percent in Norway, 6,4 percent in the Netherlands and 3,4 percent in Sweden, these countries have the largest market shares in electric cars that were sold in Europe.
Reducing carbon impact with electric cars in the company
According to the IEA, the market share of EV’s need to drastically increase to significantly contribute to the Paris Climate Deal. The Climate Deal states that global warming cannot rise higher than 2 degrees Celsius. Based on calculations by the IEA, the market share of electric vehicles need to increase to 600 million in 2040 in order for the goals of the Paris Climate Deal to be achieved. This requires more than stimulating the sales of electric cars among consumers.
In order to achieve the Climate goals, organizations need transform their fleet vehicles to electric
That is why the IEA recognizes opportunities for organizations to transform their fleet vehicles to electric. The analyses of IEA points out that both public as well as private managers of fleet vehicles can contribute significantly to the increase of the amount of electric vehicles used. By purchasing electric cars instead of cars that run on diesel or gasoline, businesses can increase the market demand for EV’s. The IEA expects a growth in market demand for electric vehicles to help accelerate innovations that improve EV’s and sustainable EV-charging infrastructure.
EV’s and the CO2-Performance Ladder
Companies that are certified with the CO2-Performance Ladder continuously reduce carbon emissions and adhere to high ambitions that they have set for themselves. The CO2-Performance Ladder provides organizations access to the list of measures. By using this list, companies can inform others about the measures they took to reduce carbon emissions. Ecological and economical measures in the list include transforming the fleet of vehicles to electric or driving with less fuel.
Moreover, the list of measures stimulates organizations to make use of electric trucks, EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy to charge the EV’s.
Source: International Energy Agency