New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Charging towards zero-emission transport
19/4/2023
6 min read
Feature
Decarbonising the world’s road transport, a high-emitting and fast-growing sector, is fundamental for achieving net zero. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a solution to this vast problem; but to make them practical, the world needs a comprehensive network of charging points. Here, Selwyn Parker explores how different regions are approaching this.
As global sales of EVs exceed all expectations, the race for sufficient charging infrastructure to keep them on the road is accelerating in the US, Europe and Asia.
And none too soon. There has been a chorus of complaints from the automotive industry and EV owners that not enough is being done by the very governments that have drawn up strict timetables for the withdrawal of petrol and diesel-powered cars.
In March this year in the UK, for example, sales of EVs, hybrids and plug-ins accounted for one in three of all cars leaving the showrooms. EVs alone hit a record monthly total of 46,626 units for an 18.6% year-on-year growth, prompting warnings from manufacturers that the infrastructure still has to catch up if the country hopes to hit its zero-emission goals for cars and vans.