The global conversation is rapidly shifting from “climate change” to a “current climate crisis”. Once a gradual environmental concern, global warming is no longer a distant threat or an abstract concept, but a present reality, recognized in the record-breaking wildfires, floods, and heatwaves that are intensifying year by year.

Global temperatures are already 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels and experts agree that human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, are accelerating global warming at an unprecedented rate.

The world still has a chance to alter this trajectory but the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as set by the Paris Agreement, is increasing the pressure on us all​. Urgent actions from governments, businesses, and individuals​ are required, and the transition to cleaner forms of energy and transport has a key role in this effort.​

The role of the transport sector in the climate crisis

The global transport sector, primarily reliant on fossil fuels, plays a pivotal role in the climate crisis, being responsible for about one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite advances in vehicle efficiency, it also remains one of the fastest-growing sources of global emissions due to increased demand for road travel and freight.

With road transport accounting for a significant part of these emissions, the scientific consensus is clear that decarbonizing this sector is essential to achieving the global climate target. 

Electric mobility for clean transportation

Electric mobility presents one of the most promising solutions to decarbonize transport and governments worldwide have acknowledged the importance of this shift. 

In 2023, global EV sales rose to over 14 million, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that EV sales could reach 65% of the market by 2030 and that “every other car sold globally in 2035 is set to be electric based on today’s energy, climate and industrial policy settings”.

Electric vehicles (EVs) eliminate tailpipe emissions, drastically reducing pollution in cities and mitigating their contribution to climate change. 

The adoption of electric vehicles is not just about reducing emissions at the tailpipe but also about supporting the broader decarbonization of energy systems. As more renewable energy is used to charge EVs, the overall environmental footprint of transport will continue to shrink. Other direct benefits of this transition are the air quality improvement and the reduction of noise pollution particularly in urban areas where air pollution is a major public health concern​.

According to United Nations estimations, by achieving a 60% share of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road, more than 60 billion tons of CO2 emissions could be saved by 2050.

Overcoming barriers of green mobility: infrastructure and policy

Electric mobility offers a powerful solution for reducing emissions from transportation. But for this transition to become a reality, electric mobility needs both global, strategic policies that address infrastructure gaps and market barriers and local ones with concrete investments in grid health and capacity.

• International organizations, governments and private companies must collaborate to create a comprehensive infrastructure that supports EV usage, especially in rural or less developed regions.
• Incentives like subsidies for EVs and tax credits for renewable energy are key drivers for accelerating the shift to clean mobility
• Harmonizing global standards for EV charging can reduce costs and create efficiencies across borders.
• Integrating charging networks with renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, will help ensure that the entire life cycle of an EV contributes to emissions reduction.

Electric mobility alone will not solve climate change, but it is an essential piece of the puzzle. We still have time to act, but the window of opportunity is closing quickly and with the right actions today, the world can move towards a more sustainable tomorrow.

Curated by PPC Blue.