Electric mobility in the fight against climate change

Transport is one of the most pollutant sectors: it provides more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest study from the European Environment Agency (AEMA). Replacing fuel combustion vehicles with electric vehicles is one of the best alternatives in order to reduce CO₂ emissions and fight climate change.

The investigation and implementation of alternative technologies is essential for reducing these emissions, and both private companies and institutions play a crucial role in this task. At Endesa, we clearly show where we stand by firmly committing to promoting the electric car.

Cheaper and more efficient vehicles

In the last 20 years, the electric car has experienced a significant technological development that has not only lowered its cost, but has also made it more efficient. The current models can travel between 200 km and 400 km autonomously, though there are brands that may even double that.

This development has occurred not just because of innovation in batteries, but also because of improvements in the design, brake load system, better wind resistance, "Eco" driving and energy efficiency systems that help the driver reduce consumption.

International consensus

Institutional support has played a key role in promoting and developing electric cars. The European Union has detected the need to promote electric mobility not just as a tool to reach its objectives in fighting climate change, but also as an opportunity for European industry to be competitive in the global car sector.

Some countries have taken the initiative and have already started to study measures to favour the introduction of the electric vehicle. That is the case in Norway and The Netherlands, where they plan to prohibit the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles after 2025; Germany is studying introducing the same measure starting in 2030, and France and the United Kingdom, ten years thereafter. Another measure that is being studied in the European Parliament is the possibility of requiring by law that 25% of vehicles in use be electric after 2025.

Anti-pollution measures

In 2020, more than 300,000 electric cars should be in use in order to be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, according to a recent study by the consultant, Deloitte.

Some cities in Spain are already pioneers in promoting anti-pollution measures, and also encourage using electric cars. This is the case in Madrid and Barcelona, which have a system of driving restrictions when the pollution levels are high that range from limiting speed to prohibiting fuel combustion cars inside the city. These measures do not apply to drivers of electric cars.

Renewable energy to contribute to the objective of zero emissions

A battery-powered vehicle does not pollute while driving, but the electricity consumed during its manufacture and related to the materials used can be sources of pollution. The good news is that the impact on the environment will decrease progressively. According to European legislation, by 2020 at least 40% of electricity production will come from renewable energy sources, as a result of which the indirect emissions of an electric car will be just over 3 kilogrammes of CO₂ on average for every 100 kilometres.

At Endesa, we promote the development of generating renewable energies through our renewable energies department, Enel Green Power España. The construction of wind and solar farms awarded in the last two renewable capacity auctions by the Government will represent an investment of more than 800 million euros up to 2020.

Electric mobility is the present

At Endesa, we are working to make real the change of the current model of mobility, which in addition to contributing to fight climate change, will help to improve people’s quality of life. For that reason, we are applying an integral focus on mobility, working on several lines of action: the promotion and dissemination of the advantages of electric vehicles, commercially offering solutions for recharging, and research and technological development.