In November 2021, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the dawn of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, fuelled by new regulations and investment pledges across all stages of the EV supply chain. From charging stations to electricity generation, new projects will begin across the UK in 2022. But there’s one key ingredient that will transform the sector’s sustainability credentials — hydrogen. Here, Simone Bruckner, Managing Director of resistor manufacturer Cressall, explains how hydrogen can make the UK’s EV revolution a reality.
With bans on the production of new diesel and petrol-powered vehicles looming, encouraging widespread consumer uptake of more sustainable vehicle choices is becoming an urgent matter. Uptake seems to be increasing — according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) more than doubled between November 2020 and November 2021. But if transport is to decarbonise before its 2050 deadline, there’s more to do to make BEVs carbon neutral.
BEVs’ sustainability shortfalls
Fully decarbonising BEVs is tricky. Using energy from the National Grid means that the sources used for electricity generation directly affect BEVs’ environmental impact. The grid is becoming more renewable and is set to be net zero by 2050. But there is an added challenge. According to The Committee on Climate Change, electricity demand is set to double from today’s 300 TWh requirement to 610 TWh by 2050 thanks to BEV uptake.
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