.jpg)
Energy transition
Flying cars, underground spaces, super-connected streets, etc. There are thousands that come to mind when we think about ideas for the cities of the future. But for now, the only thing that experts are clear about is that these urban centres need to be – and will be – increasingly sustainable and green.
According to United Nations data, 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050. This is why the development of "sustainable cities and communities" is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the UN and by that same year, it is expected to reduce CO2 emissions to zero.
To be able to live in green cities it is essential to take action with regard to mobility. It should be remembered that, according to European Environmental Agency data, cars, lorries, buses and vans produce more than 70% of total greenhouse gas emissions from transport. This is why we need to commit to means of transport that are efficient, safe, healthy and competitive. Bicycles and electric transport are the main options, since they do not produce CO2 emissions and this translates into better air quality.
Bicycle parking in the city of Barcelona.
Europe's major capitals already restrict access to the city centre for polluting vehicles. Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Paris are just some of those that are leading the way in sustainable mobility. However, it is not necessary to go that far to explore all the options are available to us. Barcelona is also making progress in this regard as a result of the collaboration between citizens, administrations and companies like ours.
The electrification of transport in cities
Transformation in the automotive sector is a fact. According to data from Statista, in 2020 approximately 20,160 electric vehicles were registered in Spain, while in 2013 the country had only registered a total of 1,460 vehicles of this type. This represents growth of more than 1,200% in seven years.
As Ferran Menescal, head of electric mobility at Endesa X in Catalonia, explains, "The beauty of the electric car is total decarbonisation, that is, ridding not only cities of CO2 emissions, but transport in general". The planet will benefit enormously from a commitment to the electrification of vehicles.
“The beauty of the electric car is total decarbonisation, that is, ridding not only cities of CO2 emissions, but transport in general”.
– Ferran Menescal, head of Electric Mobility at Endesa X.
User in an electric vehicle car park.
There are also advantages for users who have this type of vehicle. In addition to making it easy to access or park in the city centre, having an electric car means you do not depend on external sources. You can charge it at home like a mobile phone and the time to do it depends on the needs of each person.
With the aim of offering greater peace of mind and autonomy to drivers, Endesa X is building a network of ultra-fast chargers that can charge a car in just 10 or 15 minutes. An action that is an integral part of our Charging Infrastructure Plan.
Electric van loaned to the Banc dels Aliments de Barcelona to manage daily deliveries.
As Menescal confirmed, "Companies have to set an example in this transformation by also helping other organisations to make this change real." This is the case of the Banc dels Aliments in Barcelona, to which we have delivered an electric van which will enable them to make a saving of up to 110 kg of CO2 emissions weekly in distribution. "The electric van enables us to drive around the centre of Barcelona without emitting CO2," said Oriol Dolader, Head of Logistics at Banc dels Aliments de Barcelona.
“The electric van enables us to drive around the centre of Barcelona without emitting CO2”.
– Oriol Dolader, Head of Logistics at Banc dels Aliments de Barcelona.
Initiatives like this are what help make Barcelona an increasingly sustainable city. According to the head of Endesa X, "the purpose of all this is to convert cities into a unique, clean and waste-free environment, changing our habits for cleaner mobility".
