If you had to make a list of some of the most pressing issues we face as a society in the modern era, climate change would undoubtedly be right at the top.
Not only does climate change warm the planet, but if left unchecked it can have devastating—and permanent—consequences. Species will go extinct. Entire ecosystems will be disrupted. Industries like farming will be upended as it becomes difficult to grow crops, leading to food shortages. Major storms will get more dangerous and more frequent. The list goes on and on.
These aren't the kinds of things that will happen. We're already seeing them play out right now, all over the world.
While there is no one "silver bullet" method to combat climate change, one of the most important in recent years has had to do with the idea of sustainable transportation. By moving away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles towards options that use renewable energy, we collectively help reduce CO2 emissions and fend off climate change as much as possible.
Overall, electric vehicles are helping out significantly when it comes to combating climate change in a wide range of different ways, all of which are worth exploring.
How Automotive Innovation is Fighting the Climate Crisis
One example of an auto manufacturer who is helping to propel electric vehicles forward and fight climate change at the same time comes by way of American Honda. Nearly 20 years ago, their first EV Plus hatchback debuted on the market. Since then, they've added a bevy of models to their available options including the CR-V hybrid, the Accord hybrid, the Clarity hybrid, and others. Honda itself says that the current goal is to have every car it sells be a zero-emissions electrified vehicle by as soon as 2040. It will hit 40% of that goal by the end of the decade if current trends continue.
Other companies, with Tesla Motors being a prime example, are doing their part to help create EVs that match the performance of gasoline-powered options as much as possible. Not only do the Tesla Model S and Model X SUV options have impressive driving ranges, but they're also hubs for technological innovation as well. Tesla regularly pushes through over-the-air software updates to improve driver assistance and safety features, to increase performance, and more.
This last part is particularly important, as while many people understand the role that electric vehicles can play in the fight against climate change, they're less likely to adopt them if performance isn't at a point where it can meet their needs. The Tesla Cybertruck aims to tackle this head-on, boasting truck-grade towing capacities and a massive 500-mile driving range. The first units are expected to be delivered to customers by as soon as 2023.
Moves like this are critical because, even though electric vehicles are not yet a ubiquitous part of our lives, they've still made a significant, positive impact on climate change over the last decade. One recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that factors like decreasing costs for renewable energy, coupled with more affordable electric vehicle batteries, have "slowed the growth of climate change" over the last ten years.
So from that perspective, the proof that people are looking for is already out there. Electric vehicles and a push towards more sustainable transportation won't just help combat climate change—they already are. Thankfully, this is a trend that shows no signs of slowing—it was estimated that about 9% of all car sales in 2021 alone were EVs.
But at the same time, it's important to see this for what it really is—a good start, and hopefully one that continues for years to come. It will take better and more efficient EVs, yes. But it will also take significant policy changes, with California's recent Zero Emission Vehicle regulation being a top example. It's something that you're already seeing a lot in Europe, particularly thanks to the European Union's CO2 emissions standards for new vehicles.
In the end, climate change as an issue that impacts us all isn't going away anytime soon. But at a bare minimum, auto manufacturers and drivers alike are doing their part to help address the issue by embracing EV trends with open arms. This is something that we must all continue to take seriously moving forward.
If you'd like to find out more information about how to help combat the climate crisis with electric vehicles, or if you'd just like to find out more about sustainable transportation in general, please don't delay—contact us today.
