Benefits of Sustainable Mobility
Among the benefits of Sustainable Mobility are:
Contribution to reducing emissions: For cleaner air in urban environments.
Access to economic transportation alternatives: Promote travel options such as walking, cycling, electric scooters, carpooling, car sharing, etc. Learn more about electric car-sharing with Envoy.
Promotion of efficient and silent vehicles: Sustainable mobility encourages the adoption of vehicles equipped with more efficient energy consumption technologies, such as electric vehicles and hybrids. This shift diminishes reliance on fossil fuels and encourages the utilization of renewable energy sources. Embracing quieter vehicles also aids in mitigating noise pollution in urban areas, thereby enhancing the well-being of residents and fostering a higher quality of life in urban environments.
Promotion of the local economy: Sustainable mobility fosters the advancement of transportation solutions tailored to local needs, such as efficient public transit systems, bike-sharing programs, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. These initiatives not only bolster the local economy by promoting community commerce but also diminish reliance on fossil fuel imports. They create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth within communities.
Development of healthier and safer urban environments: More pedestrians, bicycles and EVs lead to more pleasant, less noisy and more ecological cities, encouraging safer and healthier urban environments.
Why Electric Vehicles?
Electric vehicles (EVs) shine as an innovative and sustainable mobility solution, providing substantial benefits for both the environment and society.
Reduction of emissions and decarbonization.
In 2022, the Transportation sector accounted for 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the United States, closely trailed by Electric Power at 25% and Industry at 23%. A recent Carbon Majors report identified 57 fossil fuel and cement companies responsible for 80% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since 2015. EVs play a direct role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by operating without emitting polluting gases, thereby enhancing air quality and bolstering decarbonization initiatives.
Improvement of urban air quality.
Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) encompasses ground-level ozone, diverse carbon forms, noxious gases like Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter (PM). Why is this significant?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), here are some health concerns related to air pollution:
Cancer;
Cardiovascular disease;
Respiratory diseases, including emphysema, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic bronchitis;
Diabetes mellitus;
Obesity; and
Reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.
By omitting these direct emissions, electric vehicles play a role in decreasing air pollution in urban areas, thereby promoting public health and reducing the risks of respiratory diseases.
Advanced energy efficiency.
EVs surpass internal combustion vehicles in energy efficiency, efficiently converting a higher portion of battery-stored energy into usable power for vehicle propulsion. According to FuelEconomy.gov, while traditional ICE vehicles typically convert only 12-30% of gasoline energy into wheel power, EVs achieve over 77% efficiency in harnessing electrical grid energy. This enhanced efficiency aids in reducing energy resource consumption and optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources.
Less noise pollution.
EVs operate with reduced noise levels, aiding in the mitigation of noise pollution in urban areas and fostering quieter and more serene environments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excessive noise exposure heightens the risk for various health issues, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, sleep disturbances, hearing impairments, and cognitive difficulties, with emerging evidence linking it to adverse birth outcomes and mental health concerns. In 2011, Western Europe alone saw an estimated loss of one million healthy life years due to traffic-related noise. To address this. WHO recommends keeping road traffic noise below 53 decibels Lden on average throughout the year and below 45 dB Lnight.
In a road traffic noise study conducted by Nissan Asia and Oceania, major cities in Asia and Oceania registered an average noise level of 76 dB, nearly four times louder than WHO’s recommended levels. This noise level also matched the average noise produced by a stationary ICE vehicle. Nissan’s comparison of noise levels on a standard urban street revealed that areas with ICE vehicles experienced peaks above 90 dB, while running noise of a Nissan Leaf powertrain measured at a tranquil 21 dB, quieter even than a library (around 30 dB).
By transitioning from noisy internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, road traffic will progressively become quieter, thus diminishing the health risks associated with noise pollution.
Diversification of energy sources.
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles also promotes energy diversification in mobility, fostering the incorporation of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power into the electrical grid for charging EVs.
Explore more benefits of electric vehicles.
Initiatives and Policies in Favor of Sustainable Mobility
Around the globe, public and private organizations are implementing innovative initiatives to foster sustainable mobility. Here are a few examples:
Worldwide:
Reactivity, a program on the European continent that rewards sustainable urban mobility with economic incentives.
Bilbobus in Bilbao Spain, the first city in the world where electric buses obtain energy from the metro.
Green cities in China, which have implemented highly efficient and green public transport systems, with a large fleet of electric buses and a well-developed electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Cycling Without Age in Denmark uses electric trishaws to take elders or people with reduced mobility on bike rides around the city.
Mobility Master Plan in Bogotá that promotes sustainable mobility and leads electric mobility.
Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan in Montevideo, Uruguay.
In the United States:
Challenges and Future of Sustainable Mobility
Charging infrastructure stands out as a primary hurdle for achieving widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Despite notable progress, the availability of a comprehensive public charging network varies greatly among countries.
By 2030, the International Energy Agency (IEA) paints an optimistic picture of a substantial surge in the number of public charging points worldwide.
Thankfully, several charging infrastructure firms, such as Blink Charging, are already scaling up the deployment of EV charging stations across various countries, including Latin America.
Learn more about the significance of charging infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations.
Take the Blink Pledge
Sustainable mobility plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment, especially on a momentous occasion like Earth Day. Key pillars such as emissions reduction, transportation decarbonization, and widespread adoption of electric vehicles are essential for constructing a cleaner and more sustainable future for everyone.
Therefore, we urge action at both individual and collective levels to promote the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions. This Earth Day, join us in taking the #BlinkPledge to commit to concrete actions that protect our planet and enhance the quality of life for generations to come. Follow Blink Charging on social media and share which step you will take in 2024 to contribute to a greener world.
