INTRODUCTION
Electric vehicles have seen a huge surge in popularity in the last ten years and according to YouGov, the top reason for drivers making the switch to EVs is environmental concern. But are EV cars sustainable? And is there a way to make them even greener? In our guide, we explore the environmental benefits of going electric, as well as how you can harness the power of renewable energy to make your EV even greener.
Are EVs Sustainable?
Whilst one of the main arguments in favour of electric vehicles is their environmental sustainability, one of the main arguments against them is that they’re ‘not as sustainable as people think’. So, what’s the truth?
It’s true that there are supply chain emissions associated with EVs, as their batteries contain elements such as lithium, nickel and cobalt which use carbon intensive mining techniques. However, when looking at the overall lifetime emissions from an EV compared to an ICE vehicle, the difference is significant.
Studies have shown that EVs produce around 25% more CO2 during production, but during the car’s lifetime, this equalizes out to around 50% less than an ICE equivalent. This is thanks to the lack of tailpipe emissions produced by EVs whilst driving.
However, if you’re counting your carbon, it is important to consider how you are powering your EV. Much of the UK’s energy is generated using fossil fuels and if you are charging your EV using non-renewable energy, this will contribute towards your carbon footprint too.
The UK is working towards its net zero targets so there is a greater push towards the adoption of renewable energy infrastructure, meaning that over time, EVs will become more sustainable.
Benefits of Charging Your EV Using Renewable Energy
Using renewable energy to charge your EV is the most effective way to make your transport more sustainable, further reducing your vehicle’s impact on the environment.
Environmental benefits – Renewable energy is abundantly available from natural sources such as wind, water and sunlight. Electricity generated using renewable sources produces 90-99% less greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels. Using renewable energy to make your EV more sustainable can lower the demand for traditional fossil fuels and contribute towards investment into more renewable infrastructure, helping it become more widespread.
Financial benefits –Some EV chargers are solar compatible, meaning if you have solar panels, you can charge them using renewable energy, with no added cost to your electricity bills.
Furthermore, if you plan on generating your own renewable energy, you can save yourself money on your energy bills in the long run and even make profit by selling excess energy back to the grid.
Benefits for businesses – There are even more benefits to using renewable energy to charge your business vehicles, whether you opt to install your own infrastructure, or work with an energy supplier that offers ‘green’ plans. For example, displaying environmentalism by going green can help elevate a brand’s image, making them appeal to more potential customers.
How To Make Your EV More Sustainable
If you want to utilise renewable energy to make your EV more sustainable, there are two main ways you can do this.
- Generate your own renewable energy: One of the most effective ways to harness the power of renewable energy is to create your own. Popular ways of doing this include installing solar panels or wind turbines on your property. However, this may not be the most practical solution for those on a budget, or those with limited space on their property.
- Switch to a renewable plan for your energy: A popular option for those wanting a sustainable EV who are not quite ready to install their own infrastructure is to switch to an energy supplier that offers green energy plans, so you can reap the benefits of powering your EV with 100% renewable energy.
As well as using renewable energy to charge your EV, here are some other ways you can make your transport greener by changing the way you charge and drive your car.
- Drive more efficiently: It goes without saying that the more often you have to charge your EV using fossil fuels, the more impact this will have on the overall sustainability of your vehicle. By driving more efficiently- such as maintaining steady speeds and using regenerative braking- you will be able to preserve your battery life and charge your EV less frequently.
- Choose off-peak charging: During the day, when demand for energy is the highest, the grid will often rely on fossil fuels to keep up with demand. Therefore, if you are using grid energy to charge your EV, choosing to do your charging during off-peak times (this is usually between 11pm and 6am) can help reduce the demand placed on the grid supply.
- Look after your battery: There are several things you can do to preserve the health of your car’s battery, for example, keeping your charge between 20-80% and minimising your use of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. This will help your battery hold its charge and reduce your need for frequent charges.
- Invest in an EV green charger: When choosing a charger, opting for a solar-compatible charger is a great way of ensuring your EV is as green as it can be. Some chargers, such as the Ohme Home Pro even come with a ‘green score’ feature that gives you detailed insights into your CO2 consumption, so you can identify areas for improvement.
- Use green public chargers: If you prefer to rely on public chargers to charge your EV, green chargers are a handy way to top up on the go. Though many public chargers are not powered with renewable energy (yet) some, such as the Tesla Superchargers, are 100% green.
Go Green With Yü!
At Yü Charge, we stock a range of green EV chargers that are perfect for home or business charging. If you’re ready to take your sustainability a step further with renewable energy charging check out our range of chargers and get your free no-obligation installation quote today!