We want to save the planet from the CO2 that we generate, but all the promises and goals that we have set for ourselves may be a long way off. Five million electric cars by 2030, zero-emission cars in registrations by 2040, fully renewable electricity by 2050… “The intentions are good. But if we analyze it in light of the numbers, things don’t turn out so well” , advances Professor Pablo Foncillas.
“Even if the global fleet stopped growing, decarbonizing 50% by 2030 would require us to make around 600 million new electric passenger vehicles in nine years, that’s around 66 million a year, more than the total global production of all cars in 2019”, recalls Vaclav Smil.
Another impossible: the charging network. The garages with installation are minimal, the number of charging stations is “laughable” and the demand in certain sections would be brutal, up to three times what it is today.
“The amount of electrical energy required with the available technology makes the model impossible if we also take into account that thermal and nuclear power plants will be eliminated. There are no windmills for so many cars,” concludes Foncillas.
With this scenario, what can we do? The researcher launches in the video a series of key solutions to achieve the objectives. Are we willing to do it?
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