The role of electric vehicles in achieving net zero.

E.ON Next blog EV in achieving NetZero

Climate change is happening, so start driving change by switching to an electric vehicle. The UK government has set a goal to be net zero by 2050. That means the total amount of greenhouse gases we produce as a country must be equal to or lower than the amount we actively remove from the atmosphere. It’s a tall order, but one we can absolutely achieve if we work together.

The good news is that we have a HUGE opportunity to massively reduce our carbon footprint by decarbonising UK transport. So join us in uncovering just why EVs are the future of transport on the road to UK Net Zero.

The importance of transitioning to electric vehicles.

Our transport is responsible for the largest proportion of all UK emissions1. In 2023 it’s estimated to have produced a whopping 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country1. And that doesn’t even include the emissions from international flights and shipping! 

It’s estimated that UK based planes and ships emitted almost 40 megatonnes of CO2 on international routes in 2023 - around 35% of what our domestic transport produced2. Altogether that’s an eye-watering amount of pollution.

How we travel and transport our goods (from your morning commute to your favourite next day delivery service) clearly has a huge impact on the environment. And that’s where EVs come in.

What is the role of electric vehicles in net zero?

To achieve net zero emissions for the entire UK we will all need to take action together - homes, businesses, and government. The two core strategies are:

  • Reducing the carbon emissions we put into the atmosphere.

  • Removing additional greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Electric vehicles are a big part of the first strategy. They produce far fewer emissions than fossil fuel powered vehicles, helping us to reduce our impact on the planet.3

Better yet, as we transition our grid to renewable energy, the electricity we use to power EVs will become even lower carbon.

The icing on the cake is they can be used for so many different types of transport. From your next new car to the van that delivers your mail. There are even efforts to create fully electric planes4! EVs are capable of transforming UK transport from top to bottom, taking a huge leap towards decarbonising our most carbon intensive industry.

Do electric vehicles produce zero emissions?

While it’s true that EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, it's important to consider the emissions generated throughout their entire lifecycle - from manufacturing to charging. 

As with any vehicle, the process of getting your shiny new EV onto your driveway will usually lead to carbon emissions. From the energy used to run the factory to the fuel used to ship your EV to the showroom, there’s lots that goes into getting your EV ready for the road. As the world continues to decarbonise, the aim is for each step of this process to reduce emissions - such as by using 100% renewable electricity in production. However, we aren’t there yet.

On the other hand, when it comes to home charging you can absolutely say goodbye to those carbon emissions by choosing a 100% renewable electricity tariff. Check out our dedicated EV tariff Next Drive for cheaper overnight charging rates5 and 100% renewable electricity6.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that hybrid EVs are not fully battery powered, and still use fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. Therefore, they do produce tailpipe emissions and have higher carbon footprints as a result.

Additional environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

There’s more to EVs than their low carbon credentials when it comes to the environment. They also:

  • Improve air quality by producing zero tailpipe emissions.

  • Reduce noise pollution - some EVs are so quiet they legally have to make a noise whilst driving.

  • Can be charged with clean electricity from your solar panels if you have a home charger - saving money on electricity bills.

  • Can be used to improve the UK’s energy flexibility in an initiative called Vehicle to Grid, by acting as temporary energy storage for excess renewable power.

What is Vehicle to Grid?

EVs are powered by a rechargeable battery, similar to the ones you stick in your camera. You charge the battery up by plugging your car into an EV charge point to access electricity from the grid - just like your plug sockets at home.

The great thing about all this is that it means you are connecting a large battery directly to the grid. This makes it possible for the grid to not only put power into your car but also take power back from it. 

The main benefit of this two way give and take is that the grid can use your EV to store excess renewable electricity when we are generating more than we need. Then it can take it back again when we don’t have enough to meet nationwide demand. This helps prevent us from wasting clean renewable power, and reduces our reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity too. 

Mind blowing stuff, but don’t worry, it won’t ever do this unless you sign up for Vehicle to Grid services and give it permission!

Vehicle to Grid is not yet widely available, but it’s on its way. If you do choose to sign-up, don’t worry, you’ll be able to schedule a time you want your EV to charge by. Your charger will make sure it is all ready for you to drive when you need it, only allowing the grid to take power when your EV’s not in use for a while. 

Challenges and solutions in EV adoption.

EVs are the future of transport in the UK, and essential for achieving net zero. The UK government has already announced a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035 (previously 2030). So EVs are only going to grow in popularity over the next decade.

However, there are still a few challenges to the EV market that are preventing people from switching to this fantastic new technology. Fortunately, every problem has a solution!

Range anxiety.

One of the barriers putting off EV buyers is range anxiety - the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station. 

Although range is rarely considered for petrol or diesel cars, it has become a widespread myth around EVs. In reality modern EVs can travel 100-300 miles on average with a single charge. 

95% of car journeys in the UK are actually under 25 miles, so the majority of the time an EV is perfectly capable of getting you where you need to go. 

Need to plan a long car ride? Simply check for charging stations on your route and take a pit stop. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab a coffee and a bite to refuel yourself whilst you recharge.

If you need to travel longer distances often, simply do a bit of research before you buy to find an EV with the right range for you. Every model is different, and some have ranges of over 400 miles on one charge.

How to maximise your EV range

'Range anxiety’' for some drivers is still a barrier to going electric. But should this be a reason to fear driving an electric car or have things moved on? Watch our EV explainer video for tips and tricks to maximise your vehicles range.

Charging infrastructure. 

The ability to charge your EV on demand is vital to the EV switch, and that means investing in EV charging stations across the country.

Luckily for us that’s exactly what’s happening. In May 2024 there were 43% more EV chargers in the UK than the year before, with 62,536 public charging points available in total7. Making it easier and easier for EV drivers to find convenient charge points wherever and whenever they need them.

It’s also a great idea to look at installing a home EV charger. With overnight charging you can rest easy knowing you’ll wake up every morning at full charge. Plus, your guests can get a handy top up too.

More and more workplaces are adopting Workplace Charging Schemes to help their employees charge up at work. So between the office and your home charger, you’ll rarely need a public charging station at all!

How to charge at EV public charging stations.

Learn how to find and charge your electric vehicle at public stations across the UK.

Upfront cost. 

The initial purchase price of EVs can be higher than petrol and diesel as the technology is newer. However, prices are coming down. Especially as more and more car manufacturers release their own EV models. 

Fully electric cars may have started in the luxury car market, but we are now seeing models released across a range of budgets and styles. Plus, with more and more EVs on the road, the second hand market is growing. So it’s well worth having a look around.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that EVs are generally cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. Electricity is cheaper per mile than petrol and diesel. And without the need for a traditional engine, EVs have fewer moving parts, making them cheaper to service and maintain.

Government policies and incentives for EVs.

The government fully supports the transition to electric vehicles, including it as part of their net zero strategy. They are leading the way with the 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK. There are also several government grants available to help manage the costs of buying and running an EV.

Plug in vehicle grant. 

  • Discount on the cost of buying an eligible EV.

  • No application needed. Sellers pre-apply the discount to the price.

  • Available for: wheelchair accessible vehicles, motorbikes, vans, trucks, and taxis.

Cleaner vehicle discount. London only.

  • 100% discount on the London congestion charge.

  • £10 upfront fee for signing up and for renewing each year.

  • Replaces the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

  • This scheme ends 25 December 2025. From this date all EVs will need to pay to enter the Congestion Charge zone.

  • Available for: battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Workplace Charging Scheme.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing EV chargers.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • Covers up to 75% of the cost (capped at £350 per charge point).

  • Discount applies to up to 40 charge points.

  • Available for: businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.

Chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing a home EV charger.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • Covers up to 75% of the cost (capped at £350).

  • Available for: people who rent their home, people who own and live in a flat.

Chargepoint grant for households with on-street parking.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing a home EV charger.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • Covers up to 75% of the cost (capped at £350).

  • Available for: renters and homeowners with eligible on-street parking.

Chargepoint and infrastructure grant for business staff and fleet.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing EV chargers and parking space infrastructure.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • Covers up to 75% of the cost (capped at £350 per charge point and £500 per parking space up to a total value of £15,000 maximum).

  • Claim up to five grants across up to five different sites.

  • Available for: small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

Chargepoint and infrastructure grant for landlords.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing EV chargers and parking space infrastructure.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • Covers up to 75% of the cost (capped at £350 per charge point and £500 per parking space).

  • Grant available for up to 200 residential properties and 100 commercial properties per year.

  • Available for: residential and commercial landlords.

Domestic chargepoint funding. Scotland only.

  • Grant towards the cost of installing a home EV charger.

  • Doesn’t need to be paid back.

  • One-off grant of up to £400.

  • Available for: EV owners or leaseholders living in rural and remote locations OR used EV owners who purchased with the Used electric vehicle loan.

Used electric vehicle loan. Scotland only.

  • Interest free loan towards the cost of buying an eligible second-hand EV.

  • Repayable over five years.

  • Can be used to buy a secondhand electric moped, motorcycle, car, van, or hydrogen vehicle up to a certain value (up to £30,000 for an electric car).

Benefit in Kind. Benefits in kind are products and services provided to you by your employer for free or heavily discounted, such as a company car. These are taxed separately from your salary. The good news is that electric vehicles are taxed at a much lower rate, saving you money compared to a traditional car.

The future of electric vehicles in a net zero world.

The future is undoubtedly electric. But what does that mean for EVs when we reach our net zero goals? 

Electric vehicles are not perfectly net zero over their lifetime. But in a net zero world, perhaps they could be. 

With the renewable energy transition well underway, the future is 100% renewable electricity from clean power sources. Whether it’s charging our EVs, powering our factories, or fueling our freight transport - every step gives the EVs we know and love that little bit of extra eco-magic.

Except it’s not magic. It’s the result of amazing work being done right now by our scientists, engineers, and industry leaders. The technology is here, and it’s only getting better.

So let’s make net zero happen.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Want to learn more about our business, the energy industry and develop your career, follow us on LinkedIn.

Find us on LinkedIn

1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6604460f91a320001a82b0fd/uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-provisional-figures-statistical-release-2023.pdf 

2 39.2 MtCO2 are estimated to have been produced by UK based aviation and shipping in 2023. 35.125% of the 111.6MtCO2 that is estimated for domestic transport.

3 https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/comparative-life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-emissions-of-a-mid-size-bev-and-ice-vehicle

4 https://www.airbus.com/en/innovation/low-carbon-aviation/hybrid-and-electric-flight 

5 Next Drive Fixed V4 offers fixed priced overnight EV charging 6.7p/kWh between 12am and 7am versus Next Flex standard variable tariff at 24.501p/kWh (national average and will vary by region).

6/ Next Drive electricity backed by 100% renewable sources, E.ON's renewable generation assets, agreements with UK generators and the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. The electricity supplied to your home comes from the National Grid. Smart meter required. Exit fees and T&Cs apply.

7 https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/how-many-charging-points#:~:text=How%20many%20public%20charging%20points,18%2C910%20installed%20since%20May%202023.

Published 16/07/2024