Latest news with #climategoals
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Denmark to seek deal on 2040 climate goals during its EU presidency
COPENHAGEN, June 19 (Reuters) - Denmark will seek to forge agreement among European Union nations on 2040 climate goals when the Nordic country takes over the rotating presidency of the European Council from July 1, the Danish minister for European affairs said on Thursday.
CBC
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CBC
Who owns an EV in Canada? 3 provinces dominate EV registrations
A growing number of Canadians are buying electric vehicles. The federal government has said the switch from gas to electric vehicles is " crucial for reaching our climate goals" while keeping the air clean and saving people money over time. But so far, Canadian EV owners tend to live in just three provinces, in certain kinds of communities, and come from certain demographics. So, who is making the switch? How is that changing? And why are some groups of Canadians making the switch EVs, while others are still buying gas? Where Canadian EV drivers mostly live In Canada, EVs represented 17 per cent of all new cars sold in 2024, up from 13 per cent in 2023, the International Energy Agency reported. Last year, 252,000 fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric cars were sold in Canada. A huge majority of the sales have been in B.C., Ontario and Quebec, where more than 92 per cent of new EVs were registered in 2024, according to Statistics Canada. Cara Clairman, president and CEO of Plug'n Drive, an organization focused on public education about EVs, credits rebates and sales targets in B.C. and Quebec. Both B.C. and Quebec are ending their rebate programs, but still have sales targets. For example, 26 per cent of light-duty vehicles sold in B.C. must be zero-emission vehicles in 2026. (Ontario also had an EV rebate program from 2010 to 2018, and allows EVs to use carpool lanes.) The EV sales mandates mean more dealers have EVs on their lots in those provinces, and therefore sell more, Clairman said. In many parts of Canada, it's still impossible to test drive an EV, she adds — "And who's going to buy one without trying?" Her organization is trying to fill the gap by touring the country, offering test drives of the latest electric and plug-in hybrid sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks from brands such as Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Volvo, in different communities. The federal government launched its own ZEV sales targets in 2023, starting with 20 per cent in 2026 and rising to 100 per cent in 2035. Why the suburbs are 'your best place to go electric' Maps of EV registrations in southwestern B.C. and in Ontario, two of the top markets for EVs, show strong uptake of EVs in lower-density urban and suburban areas. Julia Kyriazis is director of public affairs for Clean Energy Canada, a think-tank affiliated with Simon Fraser University that's focused on the transition to renewable energy and cleaner technologies. She said suburbs are "your best place to go electric" because they're dominated by single-family homes where it's easy to install home charging. Suburban dwellers tend to have longer car commutes and fewer transit options than those who live downtown. "With an EV, the more you drive, the more you save compared to a gas car," she said. Many suburban households also have more than one car, which means they can keep a gas car for road trips if they're worried about charging en route. A survey of 16,041 Canadian users of the Plugshare app, which helps drivers find EV charging stations, was conducted last October by the Canadian Automobile Association and Plugshare Research with support from other groups including Plug'n Drive. A snapshot of its respondents found 58 per cent were over age 55, four in five live in single-family homes, nine in 10 own their own home, and half of EV drivers have at least one gas-powered vehicle in their household. Similar patterns hold in the U.S., where 60 per cent of the country's 33 million EVs are expected to be in suburban areas by 2030. The remainder would be split evenly between urban and rural areas. Urban and rural challenges Clairman said in most provinces now, public EV charging infrastructure is "quite good" in both urban and surburban areas. However, in dense urban areas, many residents may face challenges getting at-home EV charging in apartment or condo buildings where they live, and even owners of single-family homes may be "garage orphans" who rely on street parking and don't have a reliable place to plug in at home. Kyriazis recently co-authored a study showing that governments aren't doing what it takes to provide EV charging access to the third of Canadian households who live in apartments and condo buildings. "That's really locking them out of the EV transition," she said, adding that it's a missed opportunity, since many young people keen to get EVs live in that type of housing. Road to EV adoption: Why experts think the future is still electric 9 months ago Duration 5:47 Recent headlines have suggested that consumers are losing interest in electric vehicles, but a closer look at the trends tells a different story. CBC's Nisha Patel breaks down where we're at in the EV transition and why experts say the future is still electric. In rural areas, Clairman said, "for some folks [EVs] can really work." Rural residents are also likely to drive long distances and own a single-family home. In Quebec, which has 2,000 fast-charging stations across the province and plans to have 6,700 by 2030, Clairman says there's "quite a lot" of rural adoption. The Community Energy Association, which has been installing charging networks in rural areas of B.C., Alberta and Ontario, say once public charging is available, EV adoption rates in rural areas can be on par with those in urban areas. Clairman acknowledges that there are still rural routes without enough charging infrastructure, such as through northern Ontario, and a full battery EV may not work there. But she added, "Don't forget about the plug-in hybrid, which is the perfect compromise vehicle." Men still ahead in EV adoption? Clairman said she had noticed for years that more men tended to come to Plug'n Drive's test drive events. "Even when couples came, the woman would say, 'Oh, he can drive,'" she recalled, adding that she encouraged them to both do a test drive. David Kovach, head of Plugshare Research the U.S.-based group that co-led the CAA survey, said three quarters of Plugshare app users are men — the same proportion of men who responded to the Canadian survey. While the survey wasn't necessarily representative of the Canadian EV driver population, other surveys suggest men are adopting EVs more quickly in the U.S. and the U.K. Plug'n Drive partnered with Women in Renewable Energy to survey women about why. They found women had safety concerns about public charging, because in the past, there weren't a lot of options and they were often located in more isolated locations. Clairman said chargepoint operators have become more mindful of that, and it's changing. WATCH | What's cheaper, EV or gas? This scholar crunched the numbers What's cheaper, EV or gas? This scholar crunched the numbers 1 year ago Duration 2:05 Where you live and how much you drive each day matters when it comes to the cost-effectiveness of an electric vehicle, compared to gas. A new UBC study crunches the numbers. Kovach said more charging stations are being added to gas stations and travel centres with more traffic. Fast charging speeds have increased in the U.S. with the addition of more powerful chargers, cutting charging times from up to 40 minutes down to as little as 10 or 15, and that "makes a huge difference in terms of people's perception on safety," he added. Plug'n Drive's survey found that the affordability of vehicles was also an issue for women, who make less money than men on average. "The early adopters did tend to be higher income because at that time, the vehicles were more expensive," Clairman said. "We're seeing that change over time." Lack of info still an issue? Both Kovach and Clairman say infrastructure is improving and costs are coming down, making EVs more accessible, but a lack of information remains a big barrier – especially in areas and among groups where EV adoption is low. Clairman said people are even surprised to find test driving an EV a lot like a regular car: "They imagine it being something difficult or something really different." Tim Burrows, who has created a "Canada Talks Electric Cars" webinar series for the Electric Vehicle Society and is the contact for the group's Mississauga chapter. He said it helps to talk to people you trust who drive EVs, but "it's one of those things where you have to take a leap of faith." Both Kovach and Clairman noted that fossil fuel infrastructure and dominance have been built up over 100 years, and modern EVs only really hit the market about 15 years ago. "EV adoption, you know, it's got a few bumps in the road here or there," Kovach said, "but I think we're getting past those bumps and … keeping consumers informed and changing their misperceptions are really key to some of the growth that we have."
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Lithium supplies will not keep up with demand for electric cars, experts warn
Europe, the US and China will be unable to extract enough lithium domestically to meet their demands for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, according to a study. Researchers from East China Normal University in Shanghai and Sweden's Lund University described this as a 'looming crisis' that could cause 'delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals'. They warned that domestic lithium production could grow as much as 10 times in some areas of Europe, the US and China by 2030 but still fall short of the 'soaring demand' without technological innovations or increasing imports. Lithium, an element which is generally obtained by mining, is a critical component in most EV batteries. EVs are seen as vital to decarbonising road transport, and demand for them is surging in Europe, the US and China. Pure battery electric new cars held a 20.9% market share for the first five months of this year, up from 16.1% during the same period in 2024. Sale of conventionally-fuelled new cars will be banned in the UK from 2030. The report found that under 'most scenarios' for the future levels of lithium production and the amount required, domestic supplies in Europe, the US and China – where 80% of the world's EVs are sold – 'cannot meet demand'. This would lead to those regions 'requiring trade to fill the gap', the study added. Researchers estimated that Europe might need 792,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent – a measure of lithium content – by 2030. Based on existing and proposed lithium-mining projects, production in Europe could reach 325,000 metric tons at that point. Measures to tackle the shortfall suggested by the authors of the study included shifting focus from producing personal EVs to promoting the use of public transport, and adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium. The UK imports all the lithium it currently uses from countries such as China and the US, but several companies are developing plans to extract reserves in Cornwall and the North East of England. Portugal is the only European Union member to mine and process lithium. Qifan Xia, of East China Normal University, author of the study published in journal Cell Reports Sustainability, said: 'Lithium today is as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution. 'While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries. 'Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers, and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals.' Ben Nelmes, founder of green consultancy New AutoMotive, said: 'Lithium will be a key part of the economy, from mining and refining through to cell manufacturing and recycling. 'It is therefore vital that European policymakers send positive signals to investors by maintaining ambitious targets for electric cars and a supportive environment for mining projects.' Separate analysis by the organisation estimated that up to a quarter of a million jobs in Europe could be created in the next five years through EV battery production and the supply chain. These include roles in sectors such as mining, gigafactories – large sites where EV batteries are produced – and recycling.
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Geologists unveil UK ‘super regions' with best potential for transition projects
Geologists have unveiled 'super regions' throughout the UK with the best geological potential to host energy transition technologies, including geothermal energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The findings, published by the British Geological Survey (BGS), show the UK has an incredibly diverse subsurface, which can play a key role in supporting efforts to reach the country's legally binding climate goals. Many areas have geology that is well suited to certain net zero technologies, including shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. But BGS scientists say eight super regions contain subsurface formations and conditions that are favourable to multiple different technologies within a relatively small area. These are Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, north-east England, north-west England, the South Yorkshire and Humber region, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and south-west England. Here, the subsurfaces can provide a sustainable heat source for geothermal energy, geological formations for secure storage of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), rocks containing important resources for mineral extraction, and suitable geological foundation conditions for onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, the scientists said. For example, south-west England has significant deep geothermal resources offering opportunities for sustainable heat and power generation while its sedimentary basins provide potential sites for CCS and energy storage, they added. Meanwhile, the Scottish Central Belt boasts a complex geology, including sedimentary reservoir rocks and significant igneous intrusions, abundant geothermal resources, abandoned coal mines and a legacy of subsurface data, they said. The BGS said its findings offer crucial insights and a road map for decision makers, ministers and land managers looking to maximise return on investment in the energy transition. The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40 billion of annual investment and support the Government's target of creating 650,000 jobs through renewable energy by 2030. But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super region's true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact. Michelle Bentham, BGS chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: 'The UK is incredibly diverse in its geology. 'Because it's out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about. 'And I don't think people realise how blessed we are in the UK, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. 'But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.' Ms Bentham said funding and the policy landscape may have been barriers to rolling out technologies such as CCS and geothermal energy across the UK. 'In Europe, geothermal energy is used much more widely. In the UK, we don't use it as widely and it's always been a bit of a Cinderella of clean energy technologies,' she said. 'And in the North Sea, we could potentially become a hub for carbon storage in Europe for countries that don't have the right geology who are trying to decarbonise,' she added. The BGS contributed to the consultation on the Government's upcoming land use framework, which looks at how England's finite land can meet the escalating demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. But the framework is focusing more on surface demands, with some scope for shallow subsurface areas such as geothermal infrastructure. Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for the subsurface could also help optimise the UK's resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed. 'Like the map, it's not one technology that's going to be the answer,' she said. 'That's why we need this combination to give us flexibility.' The BGS highlighted that the data underpinning its research has been shaped by geologists' current understanding of the subsurface, adding that a few parts of the country have been less extensively surveyed than others, and more research is required to fully assess their potential.
Bloomberg
05-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
TotalEnergies Accused in France of Greenwashing After Rebrand
TotalEnergies SE was accused in a French court of greenwashing by misleading consumers about its climate goals in a series of ad campaigns just after it rebranded and changed its name from Total. A group of nonprofits, which include Greenpeace France, attacked TotalEnergies' claim that it could achieve net zero emissions by 2050, saying it was incompatible with its continued expansion in oil production.
