Transportation emissions account for nearly half of global CO2 emissions and can have detrimental impacts on people’s health, economic development and quality of life. Therefore, its sustainability must be improved upon.
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer one solution to reduce air pollutants that disproportionately harm certain racial and ethnic groups; however, creating an eco-friendly mobility system will prove challenging.
Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market
EV adoption rates worldwide have experienced unprecedented growth due to increasing availability, falling prices and mounting concerns about air pollution. Corporates such as Unilever have pledged their fleet vehicles for electrification while DHL seeks 70% clean operations of last mile pick-ups and deliveries by switching EVs as well.
BEVs and PHEVs have already become significantly cheaper to own than petrol and diesel cars in many countries when considering both purchase price parity as well as operating costs. The purchase price parity ‘tipping point’ could occur as early as 2024 in Europe, 2025 in China, 2027 in the US for medium-sized EVs like Changan Lumin and Geely Panda mini BEVs; even earlier for small ones.
According to RMI analysis, these trends could result in the electric vehicle share of the world’s light vehicle fleet reaching two-thirds by 2030 following exponential growth trends, surpassing even the most ambitious net zero targets and making our world of vehicles significantly greener.
EV Model Availability
Accelerating sustainable mobility adoption involves making sustainable mobility accessible. To do this effectively, tax incentives and various measures, including carsharing programs such as Iberdrola’s Electric Vehicle Plan for employees should be utilized.
Transport sector emissions account for 23 % of total emissions worldwide; switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy could save 40 % by switching away from harmful pollutants that disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, such as children or those with preexisting respiratory conditions.
At present, there is an array of electric vehicle (EV) models on the market and more are being added every day. They have already become more affordable to own than conventional internal combustion engine cars in Europe and China, and this price-parity tipping point should happen much quicker thanks to falling prices and emerging technology. Furthermore, new technologies such as peer-to-peer connectivity between vehicles as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity help facilitate sustainable trip choices by optimizing multimodal transportation and improving traffic flow as well as fuel efficiency; automated vehicles offer further improvements in terms of energy efficiency, safety, and convenience than ever before!
EV Pricing
Switching to electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly lower air pollutants that pose risks to human health and the environment, while costing significantly less to maintain than their gas-fueled counterparts and ultimately saving on fuel expenses in the long run.
As gasoline prices decline, EVs have become more affordable to car shoppers. Furthermore, federal EV tax credits can save car shoppers thousands off their purchase.
NREL research into sustainable mobility aims to maximize energy savings through work that spans travel behavior and decision sciences, vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity and automation and fleet/building/infrastructure automation – among others – to optimize transportation systems. Ultimately these innovative strategies may lead to reduced costs for vehicles, buildings and communities while helping reduce energy demand while improving energy efficiency and supporting climate action goals; additionally they may ensure access to mobility for all people by eliminating disparities such as race/ethnic disparities in service usage among others.
EV Trends
The electric vehicle revolution is gathering pace. Consumers now have dozens of accessible EV models available to them, while governments and companies alike are expediting plans to make their fleets 100% electric.
Electric vehicles (EVs) can save car buyers money over time due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses – especially when factoring in government subsidies – as well as reduced emissions that contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution that puts people at risk for respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
Simulations suggest that electric vehicle sales could outpace even the most ambitious net-zero scenarios by 2030 if current growth trends hold. This is likely because EVs are expected to rapidly displace a significant share of oil demand from trucks, buses and cars – potentially bringing global tailpipe emissions near zero by 2050! Furthermore, their benefits extend far beyond individual cars; for instance they reduce healthcare costs associated with air pollution-related illnesses as well.