Carbon emission is a major threat to climate change

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are slowly making their way into commercial markets. Motor companies like Uber are coming up with plans to manufacture EVs to slow down the environmental impacts that petrol and diesel vehicles have made so far. Carbon emission is a massive threat to the growing world. Burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. A record suggests that emission of greenhouse gas from transportation accounts for about 25% of the total US greenhouse gas emission. The carbon emission has not just impacted the ozone layer but also poses a threat to climate change. The increasing pollution and worsening climates across the globe have brought climate activists like Greta Thunberg on heels to talk vigorously about it.

The automobile industry accounts for a big share when it comes to carbon emission. Be it Volkswagen’s trick to input software on diesel emissions or China, the United States, and India taking the first three positions in countries that produce most CO2 emission. Volkswagen has used the so-called ‘cheat device’ in diesel cars to hide the emission during preliminary tests and inspections. Records unravel that China alone has emitted 9,838 million metric tons of fossil fuel in 2017. Climate change activists and environmentalists are repeatedly warning nations and organizations to reduce carbon emissions.

But the cutting down of cars and transport vehicles to support the environmental calamity is undoable. Henceforth, subsidies can work.

What is an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

Electronic vehicles are considered to replace carbon-emitting transport vehicles. Electric vehicles have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. The vehicle uses a large traction battery pack to power the electronic motor and must be plugged into a charging station or wall outlet out charge. Due to its function using electricity, the vehicle emits no exhaust for a tailpipe and does not contain the typical liquid fuel components. Some of the key components of electric vehicles are

• Battery
• Charge port
• DC/DC Converter
• Electric traction motor
• Onboard charger
• Power electronics controller
• Thermal system
• Traction battery pack
• Transmission

Types of electronic vehicles

Hybrid Electronic Vehicle (HEV)– HEVs function both on petrol and electricity. The electric energy is generated when the car’s brake is applied. It recharges the battery through the system called ‘regenerative braking.’

Plug-in Hybrid Electronic Vehicle (PHEV)– PHEV, also known as Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), features both petrol and electricity. It recharges the battery through both regenerative braking and ‘plugging-in’ to an external electrical charging outlet.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)– This type of EV is only powered by electricity and do not have a petrol engine, fuel tank, or exhaust pipe. BEVs need an external electric charger to recharge the batteries.

Uber’s initiative to meet ‘zero-emissions mobility goal.’

Rideshare giant Uber has recently announced that the company is committing US$800 million over the next five years to help its drivers switch from gasoline to electric vehicles by 2025. The move comes following the company’s promise to become a zero-emission mobility platform by 2040. Uber’s rival Lyft in June announced that the company would go electric by 2030.

The Uber initiative is to work with cities to build back better together, tackle the climate crisis more aggressively than ever before. The carbon emission during lockdown periods across the globe plummeted, bringing a message to us. The company commits that Uber can rebuild and add more green spaces in the future.

Incentives to boost the routine-breakers

Uber has planned to pay higher rates per trip to drivers who use battery-electric cars and hybrids. The company is also extending discounted charging rates with major EV charging networks in the US and Europe. Uber riders, too, will receive triple the standard rate of reward points if they request low-emission vehicles.

The rideshare giant has organized programs with automakers like GM to help get more EVs it the Uber system. GM is offering a discount price for Uber drivers who chose to buy Chevrolet Bolt EVs. The move ensures that transport giants are also looking for ways to control global pollution. If other such organizations take the initiative to follow suit, climate change can be jeopardized and soon eliminated.