Transport is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions globally and typically accounts for around 30% of most people’s personal carbon footprint. The way we move around has a huge impact on the climate. Here are some ways you can electrify and share your travel to cut your carbon emissions and save money:
Share
Use public transport and active travel whenever possible. Buses, trains, trams and bikes are more efficient and less polluting than cars. They also help reduce congestion, noise and air pollution. Plus, they can be good for your physical wellbeing. Try to walk or cycle for short trips and use public transport for longer journeys.
Electrify
Switch to an electric vehicle (EV) if you need to drive. EVs are cleaner and cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. They also have lower maintenance costs and can benefit from tax incentives and grants. EVs are becoming more affordable and accessible, with more models and charging points available.
Did you know?
Some people have concerns around the extra embedded carbon in an EV. Embedded carbon is the carbon emissions from building a car and currently EVs do emit more than most petrol and diesel cars because of the battery when they are made. However, despite this you still save carbon once you’ve been driving for around two years (the exact time does depend on size of car and how far you drive). Over the whole life of the car you’ll save tonnes and tonnes of carbon pollution.
Here are 3 good reasons to switch to an EV:
1. You save carbon every time you drive. EVs are far more efficient than petrol or diesel cars converting over 70% of the energy they receive to power at the wheels. This compares to under 30% for petrol cars.
2. With renewables you can get close to zero driving emissions. If you power your EV with renewables then the amount of carbon you emit when you drive will be close to zero. A huge carbon saving compared to burning fossil fuels.
3. You’re in good company. EVs are growing fast as petrol car sales fall. This is partly because people want to drive cleaner but it’s also because more and more countries are planning to ban, or limit, the sales of petrol and diesel cars in including the EU, UK and USA. In Norway petrol cars will be banned by 2025 and so EV sales are now over 80% of the market. The shift to EVs is happening faster than anyone expected.