What are the advantages of electric mobility?

It may seem that sustainable transport is something of the future. However, electric mobility is already a reality present in society. There are currently around 12 million electric cars in operation travelling on different roads around the world. Of these, three million were sold in 2020.

Undoubtedly, electrification is the most cost-effective and efficient way to decarbonise the final energy consumption of transport. Specifically, electric cars can be up to 5 times more efficient than internal combustion vehicles (diesel or petrol) and 2.3 times more efficient than hydrogen vehicles.

To achieve climate goals, we need to electrify final consumption as much as possible. In fact, according to BloomerangNEF (BNEF) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2021, 9% of the global car market was electric. But to reach net zero emissions by 2050, 60% of vehicles sold globally must be electric by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

Electric mobility no longer only refers to cars. Other segments of the road transport sector are also experiencing an increase in the rate of electrification. There are now more than 500,000 electric buses in use, nearly 350,000 lorries – mostly light – and around 190 million two-wheelers worldwide.

As for maritime transport, although it is also making its progress, electrification is currently limited to sea ferries and short-distance vessels. In the short term, electric boats are expected to be economically competitive with other low-carbon propulsion systems, but only for distances of up to 200 km.

Why is transport electrification good for me?

When we say that the future of mobility is electric, it's because it not only benefits the planet, but it also benefits society in general.

One of the main advantages of electric mobility is that it improves air quality in the communities where we live. This means that, by not emitting toxic gases, it improves the quality of life for everyone. As such, dispensing with combustion engines avoids emitting tons of greenhouse gases. This helps us to mitigate climate change and ensure a better life for future generations.

The sustainable mobility alternatives we have today are really broad: cars, bicycles, scooters... And they all have something in common: they reduce noise pollution since they emit practically no sound, which benefits the whole of society.

Another advantage is that it provides a higher level of comfort while driving and allows you to enjoy smoother accelerations. Also, while many people consider that electric engines don't offer the same power and speed as fuel engines, this isn't true. They offer immediate and continuous throughout the journey. You simply have to pay attention to the battery and, fortunately, there are more and more charging stations.

Although there are many benefits of electric mobility, and in particular of cars, there is an advantage that stands out above the rest. The economic expense they entail is substantially lower, consuming half the energy of a combustion engine. So, although the initial investment can be high, it is a great long-term investment.

In addition to energy savings, electric cars are also characterised by having 90% fewer components. This, added to the reduced wear and friction, makes them vehicles that are easy to maintain.

Advantages of electric vehicles

Facilitating charging, key to promoting the use of electric vehicles

One of the points that generates the most insecurity in drivers when opting for an electric vehicle is usually the lack of a consistent infrastructure. That is why Endesa X works to facilitate access to public and private charging stations. Our goal is to reach 56,000 operating points by the end of 2023.

The Endesa X network currently has more than 2,800 charging stations: 2,100 stations in cities, more than 400 on roads and about 250 in rural environments. Included in these figures are the 76 ultra-fast charging chargers that we deployed in 2021.

To make it even easier to recharge the electric vehicle, Endesa X has also developed Endesa X JuicePass, a mobile application that allows you to locate and reserve the nearest charger from among more than 90,000 charging stations spread throughout Europe and Latin America.

We are also reaching agreements with different companies to allow us to bring charging stations closer to users, with the aim of making the transition to electric mobility increasingly simple.

Finally, JuiceBox Pro Cellular is our smart charging equipment for private and residential environments. With an installation available in two modalities - for single-family houses or for community garages - this charger allows you to charge 100% of the car battery in approximately 4 hours.

Cities must become an increasingly relevant player involved in sustainable mobility. For this reason, at Endesa we will continue with our commitment to this mobility, based on the change of modal use and the electrification of transport.