Bill Mollison, of permaculture fame, made a rather profound observation: “Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.”
Applying his words to the problem of climate change, climate scientists and millions of concerned individuals agree that the solution is simple: stop burning fossil fuels and switch everything to electric power. A simple solution but a massive global undertaking to make it happen.
The good news is that it is happening. The bad news is that it is not happening fast enough. So we (the folks at Green Living Journal) think an excellent way to encourage our readers to go all-electric is to run stories of those organizations, businesses, individuals, and public agencies that are leading the way. They will inspire you.
So, beginning with this issue and for the next several ones, we will bring you electrifying stories to nudge the procrastinators among us to take action.
Renewables to Become World’s Biggest Source of Electricity Generation by 2025
“Renewables [will] become the largest source of global electricity generation by early 2025, surpassing coal,” the International Energy Agency said in its Renewables 2022 report. The analysis comes at a time of huge disruption within global energy markets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. IEA chief Fatih Birol said the global energy crisis had kicked renewables “into an extraordinary new phase of even faster growth as countries seek to capitalize on their energy security benefits.”
For more info: bit.ly/3INM35w
White House Electrification Summit
Recently, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Climate Policy Office, and Office of Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation hosted a White House Electrification Summit to explore how electrification can help the United States meet its climate and equity goals. The event included energy and environmental leaders from government, industry, academia, and stakeholder groups to showcase the unprecedented opportunities for inclusive electrification created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Electrification – replacing direct use of fossil fuels for transportation, heating, hot water, and cooking with more efficient electric options – coupled with clean electricity is one of five game-changing technologies prioritized by the Biden-Harris Administration to help us achieve net-zero by no later than 2050 while improving health, prosperity, and justice for all Americans. The pace of electrification hinges on institutional innovations as well as decisions made by individual households and businesses choosing cars, heating and cooling equipment, and other appliances.
The summit is available at: youtu.be/m-at3GSBu2Y
Mercedes-Benz Plans EV Charging Network
In his remarks during the Mercedes-Benz tech talks at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer revealed plans for a Mercedes-Benz branded high-power charging network starting this year in North America. Rollout in Europe, China, and other leading markets will follow. The North American network is scheduled for completion by 2027, by which time a total of more than 400 hubs with more than 2,500 high-power chargers will cover the continent. They will be spaced conveniently at regular intervals close to motorways, major intersections, and metropolitan areas.
The locations of the charging hubs will come complete with food outlets and restrooms situated nearby. Facilities will also be equipped with surveillance cameras and other measures to provide a safe and secure charging environment at all times. Selected charging points are covered for protection from the weather. Depending on region and location, the hubs offer four to 12 – and ultimately as many as 30 – high-power chargers (HPC) with up to 350 kW charging power. The network will be open to all electric vehicle brands, but Mercedes-Benz customers will enjoy special benefits, such as the ability to reserve a charging spot.
For more info: http://bit.ly/3wjFoIH
U S Postal Service To Deploy Over 66,000 Electric Vehicles
Making One of the Largest Electric Vehicle Fleets in the Nation
The US Postal Service anticipates increasing the quantity of purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) to a minimum of 60,000, of which at least 45,000 will be battery electric by 2028. NGDV acquisitions delivered in 2026 and thereafter are expected to be 100% electric.
The Postal Service expects to purchase an additional 21,000 battery-electric delivery vehicles through 2028, representing a mix of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles. Acquisitions delivered in 2026 through 2028 are expected to be 100% electric.
The feasibility of achieving 100% electrification for the overall Postal Service delivery vehicle fleet will continue to be explored.
Beyond vehicle mix changes, postal network modernization efforts will drive additional substantial carbon reductions through logistics improvements and reduced transportation
Total investment is expected to reach $9.6 billion including $3 billion from Inflation Reduction Act funds.
For more info: bit.ly/3INiTmY
Rewiring America Launches IRA Tax Incentive Education Campaign
The non-profit Rewiring America and U.S. corporations have launched a new consumer outreach and education campaign to connect American households with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebates and tax incentives to go electric. The goal is to alert U.S. households to the benefits of purchasing and installing efficient electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, heat pump dryers, and other home appliances needed to lower their energy costs and the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving the climate crisis.
Rewiring America has an online Go Electric Guide to the IRA that provides guidance for replacing all those fossil fuel-burning machines in your home and garage over the next decade. There is also an online calculator to immediately get a sense of how much every household can qualify for.
There are 121 million households in the U.S., and the average household will receive $10,600 in IRA benefits to fully electrify and save, on average, $1,800 each year on energy costs by phasing out fossil fuels. Even renters can get in on the action with electric vehicles, appliances, and tools that can be transported to their next home.
For more info: www.rewiringamerica.org/education-coalition
Domino’s Delivery Goes Electric
Domino’s is leading the charge in the future of pizza delivery with electric vehicles. More than 800 custom-branded 2023 Chevy Bolt electric vehicles are arriving at select franchises and corporate stores throughout the U.S. beginning in November 2022, making Domino’s the largest electric pizza delivery fleet in the country.
EVs provide numerous advantages, including ample battery life for days of deliveries, zero tailpipe emissions, advanced safety features, and lower maintenance costs than non-electric vehicles – all without the financial impact of high gas prices.
For more info: www.dominos.com/evfleet
