In the transition to an all-electric future, some of the most powerful car companies in the U.S. are facing unexpected challenges. Recent headlines suggest that these companies, despite their large impact on global emissions, are struggling to fulfill their commitments to electric vehicles. The potential consequences of these automakers backing out of their EV commitments raise concerns about the planets future.
Global transport accounts for about a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with gas-powered cars contributing to 75% of that total. Taking gasoline- and diesel-powered cars off the road is crucial in staying within the global carbon budget. In the U.S., transportation is the leading source of carbon emissions, making the country one of the top polluters globally. Brands like General Motors and Ford, which had the largest and third-largest market shares for cars sold in the U.S. last year, have played a significant role in these emission levels.
Maritime industry is a small brother of automakers but it also has to follow the regulations and electrify propulsion of boats, yachts and ships. Brands like Solliner or Silent Yachts make a bold step in the future of boat and yacht industry.
Phasing out gas-powered cars
Phasing out gas-powered cars will be a crucial part of preventing catastrophic consequences, such as the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves. While there is no direct connection between the two, it is clear that the majority of Americans choosing to buy electric vehicles will play a significant role in mitigating climate change.
Since the Industrial Revolution, an increase in temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius has been observed globally, equivalent to 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists warn that allowing further warming beyond this point could lead to catastrophic consequences such as rising sea levels, glacier melt, and extreme heatwaves.
In 2015, the Paris Agreement was agreed upon by nearly every country. It sets hard limits for emissions in order to avoid dire futures. The Agreement states that the world must not warm 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century in the best-case scenario. If the more aggressive target cannot be achieved, warming must be kept under 2 degrees Celsius. It is unlikely that we will be able to keep warming under 2 degrees, given the current trajectory.
Car companies are making promises to reach “net zero” and become more sustainable. General Motors has pledged to go all-electric by 2035, Mercedes-Benz by 2030 in most of its major markets, and Volkswagen by the 2030s. These commitments are based on regulations and calculations involving key numbers. In addition to all-electric vehicles, some carmakers are also considering hybrids or hydrogen vehicles in their efforts to reduce emissions.
Our goals
Consider this scenario: what if car companies resist or abandon their electrification goals, or if regulatory changes enable them to do so? How significant will the impact on the climate be as a result of these actions?
In order to have a 50% chance of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, the world’s leading scientific body on climate change states that we can only emit 500 billion metric tons more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The remaining carbon budget for the 2 degrees target is slightly more generous, at 1,350 billion metric tons. However, if we surpass these limits, our chances of averting disaster decrease significantly.
In many climate conversations, it is common to overlook the bigger picture and get lost in the details. One such detail is the staggering figure of five hundred billion metric tons, which can be difficult to fully grasp. However, when one delves into the specific numbers related to the emissions from U.S. carmakers selling gas-powered cars annually, the urgency of transitioning to electric vehicles becomes strikingly clear. This also highlights the challenges these carmakers are facing in transitioning to a zero-emission future.
When it comes to the incredibly outsize individual emissions of automakers, there is no time to wait for them to stop stalling on electric cars. It may not be well-received by their shareholders, but the truth is, we cannot afford to wait.
Phasing out gas-powered cars is crucial to prevent catastrophic consequences such as the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves. Car companies need to fulfill their commitments in order to reduce emissions and stay within global carbon budgets to avoid devastating impacts on the planet’s future.
