{"id":27633,"date":"2022-12-15T15:00:36","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T15:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=27633"},"modified":"2023-02-10T14:21:46","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T14:21:46","slug":"can-ev-conversion-lead-the-race-to-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/can-ev-conversion-lead-the-race-to-net-zero\/27633\/","title":{"rendered":"How EV conversion can decarbonise the transport sector"},"content":{"rendered":"

As global targets of zero-emission transport near closer in our headlights, let’s\u00a0<\/em>explore how electric vehicle conversion can help us successfully navigate the transition to E-mobility worldwide.<\/h2>\n

Despite seemingly being a new phenomenon, the electric vehicle (EV) is not a recent innovation. EV technology is more than a century old and predates traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles that dominate our roads today. The origins of the EV can be traced back as far as the early 1800s to a British Inventor called Robert Anderson, who developed the world\u2019s first crude electric carriage in 1832.1<\/sup> Despite this being a groundbreaking advancement on its horse and carriage counterpart at the time, the development of ICE-powered transportation later that century rendered the EV obsolete until recent decades. Limitations of the technology, predominantly affordability, meant that when Henry Ford\u2019s mass-produced Model\u00a0T hit the market in 1908 at just a fraction of the price of EVs, the global landscape of mobility would be changed forever, entering an emission-producing era that has led to the climate crisis we see today.<\/p>\n

The urgent need to reduce our planet\u2019s CO2 <\/sub>emissions has resulted in countries around the world introducing radical legislative changes to expedite decarbonisation. Estimates suggest that the transport sector has the highest reliance on fossil fuels globally, accounting for 37% of CO2 <\/sub>emissions from end-use in 2021.2<\/sup> To combat the significant emissions produced by the sector, ambitious targets have been set to reduce dependency on fossil-fuel-powered mobility and transition to electrified transport. However, over a century later, the issues that inhibited EVs still persist, with charging infrastructure<\/a>, vehicle range<\/a>, availability, and affordability hampering EV adoption.<\/p>\n

Availability and affordability are two of the primary barriers to EVs, as producing the sheer volume of EVs required to replace conventional cars may not be feasible in the short time frame we have to mitigate global emissions, and the steep price of EVs currently on the market make the transition unaffordable for many. Replacing every vehicle on the road with a new electric alternative is not only an unassailable target but would also cause significant emissions in the mass-production process. To combat this, innovative companies are pioneering technology to convert traditional vehicles, from large SUVs to classic cars, into EVs at just a fraction of the price, removing the barrier to electrified mobility.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at how EV conversion can help drive the E-mobility revolution.<\/p>\n

Global vehicle emission targets<\/h3>\n

Countries worldwide have set elaborate goals to reduce emissions in the transport sector. The EU\u2019s Fit for 55 legislation outlines changes that look took to shift the transport paradigm, aiming to cut CO2 <\/sub>emissions for new cars by 55% and new vans by 50% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels, which will increase to a 100% emission reduction for both new cars and vans by 2035. The overarching aim of the package is to enable the EU to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

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\u00a9 iStock\/Lightspruch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jozef S\u00edkela, the Czech minister of industry and trade, commented: \u201cThis agreement will pave the way for the modern and competitive automotive industry in the EU. The world is changing, and we must remain at the forefront of innovation. I believe we can take advantage of this technological transition. The envisaged timeline also makes the goals achievable for car manufacturers.<\/p>\n

This sentiment was echoed by Anna Hub\u00e1\u010dkov\u00e1, the Czech minister of environment, who said: \u201cClosing the first deal on a proposal from the \u2018Fit for 55\u2019 package is a strong signal that the EU is determined to make progress towards climate neutrality and the green transition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Across the pond, the US is also setting sizable EV goals. The US Government has outlined the target of reaching 50% penetration of plug-in EVs by 2030 to combat the country\u2019s dependency on fossil fuels. President Joe Biden has also pledged to achieve economy-wide net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is now a formal US submission under the 2015 Paris Accords of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.<\/p>\n

Although, in theory, these initiatives will help to power the EV transition, in reality, is it possible to accomplish such a seismic shift in transportation?<\/p>\n

Can we meet the global demand?<\/h3>\n

There are around 1.5 billion vehicles worldwide. Most of the world\u2019s cars are located in Asia, with Europe accounting for 28% and North America making up 24% of vehicles.4<\/sup> The current breakdown of cars globally are as follows:<\/p>\n