Electric Mobility

Mobility has become an integral part in our lives; hence transport allows us to access activities and to participate in life. To meet the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement, a drastic reduction of Transport related GHG emissions is needed. Electrical mobility has the highest reduction potential as it focuses on transitioning from fossil fuels powered mobility to renewable energy powered mobility by integrating renewable sources e.g. geothermal, solar energy.

A shift towards fleet electrification could reap a variety of health and environmental benefits i.e. decarbonization, reduce noise and air pollution, spur renewable energy and harness economic potential by improving the balance of trade.

Implementing e-mobility requires building new partnerships and alliances such as; electric suppliers, public transport operators, charging station operators, vehicle manufacturers and engaging stakeholders such as the government and policy makers, researchers/academia, local communities and vulnerable groups.

Electrical mobility can be accelerated by setting long term strategies and objectives and deadlines in phasing out of ICE vehicles/bikes, Regulating CO2 emissions or fuel consumption standards, providing economic incentives/purchase subsidies/tax exemptions depending on the type/price of vehicle, public procurement; incentivizing municipal companies to buy more electric vehicles, Action by cities; by creating zero/low emission zones, investing in public infrastructure i.e. charging stations, safe intersections for bikes, car/bike sharing and lowering the price of batteries due to less of raw materials used in new battery technologies.

Cost savings are a major driver for e-mobility over internal combustion engine vehicles. Electricity is cheaper than diesel or petrol. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts compared to ICE ones resulting to lower maintenance costs as well as fuel costs.

Governments need to sign up for sustainability commitments such as National Determined Contributions as a major drive towards achieving the electrification agenda. Car/bike manufacturers also need to do their part to combat climate change. Electrical mobility has to be implemented in a holistic approach and the higher the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix, the bigger the benefits from e-mobility.