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EV Charging and Global Sustainability Goals

Last Updated: May 5th, 2023 | Economy & Policy

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Unfortunately, individual actions can feel like not doing enough. Reducing the use of one-time plastics or eating less meat are popular recommendations for reducing one’s personal carbon footprint. But as climate change affects the world, an equally big response is needed. 

Global leaders and policymakers have set ambitious climate goals, such as reducing carbon emissions and limiting the rise in global temperatures. To achieve these goals, we must embrace sustainable solutions in all aspects of our lives, including transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to revolutionize how humans travel and support the transition to a sustainable future.

United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals

Global leaders don’t get any bigger than the United Nations. The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) provides support and guidance on seventeen core issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science, and technology. The U.N. identified these issues as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a year that will be a landmark for many global climate goals. 

EV charging infrastructure can support many goals and projects within the development project. Here are just a few examples: 

Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

    • EVs help reduce harmful air pollutants that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases by producing zero tailpipe emissions. 

    • Air quality improvement and protection of public health are aided by switching to EVs.

    • The quieter and smoother rides than traditional gas vehicles provides a more peaceful driving experience. This helps reduce stress and anxiety while driving, promoting better mental health and well-being.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

    • EVs cut down our dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite resources and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

    • With advanced charging station equipment, EVs can be efficiently powered by clean energy sources such as solar and hydropower.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

    • The growing adoption of EVs and installation of EV charging infrastructure creates new opportunities for businesses and industries.

    • Technological innovation stimulates economic growth and promotes sustainable development.

    • More charging infrastructure is required to support the global goals for EV adoption, especially publicly available sites.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

    • EV charging infrastructure are included as smart integrations for city solutions, from electric public transportation to safer roads.
    • Supports sustainability at small businesses while attracting EV drivers

Goal 13: Climate Actions

    •  All of the above are benefits of electric-powered vehicles against climate change. 

The United Nations is committed to its goals and program, but electrification of future transportation cannot be mandated by its authority alone. Let’s explore four EV-specific commitments from the past year.

The United States

In 2021 the White House’s target for EV adoption was for electric vehicles to represent 50% of the market share by 2030. However, in April 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency announced new emission rules. The rules increased that commitment to 60% by 2030 and will grow to 67% by 2032. This follows significant investment into EV tax rebates and infrastructure support projects such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the NEVI project.

Canada

Due to population support for lowering their environmental footprint, Canada is taking big steps to put more zero-emission vehicles on their roads. In December 2022, introduced regulations will require at least 20% of new vehicle sales to be ZEV by 2026. This will increase to 60% by 2030 and finally reach 100% of sales by 2035. Aside from increasing the supply of EVs, the Canadian government is also making strong investments in EV charging infrastructure across the nation.

Europe

European Parliament has a wider range of responsible than the other examples in this article, but the 27 members recently agreed to new landmark rules. The European Union must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars and vans sold by 2035, effectively banning the sale of new ICE cars and vans from that year forward. This is in addition to a goal to drop 55% in greenhouse gas emissions this decade. Many European automakers have already released electric models, bringing more affordable EVs to drivers. The lower operating costs of EVs are a major factor for EV drivers in their purchasing choices. 

Australia

Australia is still developing its electric transportation policy, taking note of the successes and blockers in other countries. While EV adoption is slower, shipping distance doesn’t make the waiting list any shorter, Australia is still reaching new heights in EV sales. In April 2023, the Australian Government published its first National Electric Vehicle Strategy. The key takeaways are objectives to increase the supply of affordable and accessible EVs, establish the resources, systems and infrastructure to enable rapid EV uptake, and encourage increased EV demand. Meanwhile, EV charging infrastructure development will receive over AUD$500 million from the Driving the Nation Fund. These funds will support projects to expand electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure across Australia, as well as support fleets.

The Bottom Line

Many more countries and communities are making sustainability efforts than could be included in this single blog post. As electric vehicle adoption is rising, Noodoe is here to charge those drivers and support the future of transportation around the world.

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