Eco Energy in Europe

The ecological potential of electric vehicles

source: blog.testsieger.de

The ecological advantage of electric cars is mainly dependent on the ecological impact of the used energy sources. Yet, with the appropriate energy sources, EVs have the potential for beeing CO2 neutral. This fact is an important aspect for the OEMs, which receive the possibility for improving the image of the whole industry sector by gettig away from producing polluting vehicles.

For beeing able to harness this potential respectively for improving the ecological image of cars, various OEMs intend to combine their EV offers with an adequate eco energy supply.

Eco Energy in Germany and Europe

In Germany it is good form for all of the energy suppliers to offer at least one special eco energy tariff. In the last years even specialised suppliers, which have only eco energy tariffs in their portfolio, were able to sustain on the market…and the number is increasing. This situation arises from the growing ecological awareness in the public, which is even more supported by official discussions, e.g. about nuclear energy, its security and the phaseout as well as the generall pollution and its impact on everyones everydaylife.

Yet, not every supplier is dedicated to the ecological goal linked with the idea of the eco energy tariffs. A lot of suppliers just are shiftung certificates or using older generation systems in foreign countries for “greenwashing” their energy product. Therefore the user should inform him/herself before signing a contract.

The view on the need of such special eco energy tariffs is quite differnt from country to country in Europe. One of the extremes is France. In France, more than 75 % of the electricity is provided by nuclear plants, which are mainly regarded as a “green” energy source by the public. Therefore renewable sources have a lower ranking and the need demand as well as offers for such eco energy tariffs is quite low. At the moment in France, there is just one supplier, which offers such a tariff,  however with a vanishing market share.

In contrast Great Britain (GB) is another good example for various offers of different eco energy tariffs, where every consumer is able to chose and to improve the individual CO2 rate. There are a couple of reliable products, which even support the further progress and implementation of renewable systems. Therefore everybody is able to get an adequate tariff for promoting renewables and reducing the own emissions. Besides GB, Belgium is one of the european countries with a widespread offer for special eco energy tariffs. In Belgium there are various suppliers which focus the different regions of the country for providing their products.

What do you think about this topic?Would you prefer an EV with an adequate eco energy tariff? Or do you think that this topic is overrated and that the higher efficiency of EVs is enough for reducing the environmental impact of cars?

Bye,

Thomas