50 shades of sustainable transit
Electric vehicles are simply one route toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Since the invention of the automobile at the turn of the 20th century, automotive manufacturers have set the pace for global transportation standards.
From the evolution of the steam-powered car to the combustion engine to current electric and hybrid vehicles, the automotive industry has been a centrepiece of technological change, and as a result is continually altering and advancing the way people view transportation and energy.
Last month, B.C. hosted 50 Shades of Green: Driving towards a Decarbonized Future — an event highlighted by featured presentations from industry leaders and panel discussions. What became evident over the course of two days was the extent to which vehicle manufacturers are committed to creating viable solutions that are specific to what consumers want — and in doing so, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
Technological diversity is required to reduce emissions and there are exciting opportunities in alternative energy vehicles like EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The past few years have seen many manufacturers announcing new production goals as well when it comes to decarbonization. Toyota, for example, has announced that it will reduce new vehicle CO2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2050, compared to 2010 levels.
While EVs are at the forefront of everyone’s minds when it comes to green transportation, one of the main take-aways from 50 Shades of Green is that there are many roads to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and EVs are simply one route. Scrappage, ride sharing, public transit, and alternative fuels are also part of the larger solution. Gasoline-powered vehicles also play an important part in reductions, as manufacturers unveil new internal combustion models that are much more fuel-efficient with each passing year.
As with any new innovation, manufacturers have grappled with a host of unique challenges that come with the transition to the increasing development of more alternative energy vehicles. This includes the required investment in design and battery technology in addition to charging infrastructure — in order to create solutions that are not only viable but appealing to the consumer.
Over the past few years, automakers have been increasingly motivated to create new clean energy vehicle options to cater to each consumer’s taste, resulting in a B.C. success story — a 20 per cent increase in processed applications through the CEV Program in 2017 vs. 2016.
It’s important to recognize, however, that the transition takes time, as evidenced by the fact that while cumulative EV sales in Canada over the past five years have grown to more than 50,000 units, over the same period of time almost 9.5 million vehicles were put onto Canadian roads.
As the world increasingly turns its attention to emissions reduction and decarbonization, auto manufacturers have become an important linchpin in facilitating conversations with governments and alternative energy producers.
As governments and industries work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and refine and discover new energy solutions, the auto industry continues to not only be a technological leader, but a climate leader as well.
What 50 Shades of Green demonstrated is that auto makers are determined to further innovate and evolve in order to create even better transportation models for the future.