As nations across the globe enter another week of lockdown or restrictions, pollution levels have fallen  resulting in scenes that have not been witnessed for generations. Residents in UK cities have reportedly commented on how blue the spring sky has been, and a glimpse at any major news channel’s website shows comparison images from cities across the globe where smog created by emissions has dropped by up to 60% in some areas.

The question now is; do we want to return to ‘normal’ or can we all take some positives from this unprecedented time in our lives and, begin to make changes to our lifestyles that will help to continue the decrease in pollution levels in some way going forward?

All time low for travel and oil

With aircraft travel at an all-time low and road vehicle travel limited to essential travel only in the UK, a huge discrepancy in the supply and demand for oil has become evident. The cost of a barrel of oil has fallen to its lowest level ever; indeed just a few days ago it had reached a negative cost for the first time ever.

As this demand for oil collapses it has given rise to thoughts about how electric vehicles can have a positive impact on global pollution and climate change and make this demand for oil lessen in the coming years.

By making the switch to EV’s, similar decreases in pollution levels could become more common place and recent events have perhaps given people time to reflect on the alternatives that are available and what we can do as individuals to all play our part. Is this a lockdown silver lining that will perhaps change our mindsets going forward?

Electricity and emissions generation

We believe the availability of EV’s and the technology to support them will play a huge part in driving consumers to make alternative life style choices and, with cleaner air becoming so much more apparent plus the reduction in company car tax costs, therefore addressing lifestyle, environmental and economic concerns, are we going to see a steep incline in consumers switch from oil guzzling cars?

Furthermore, EV’s produce zero tailpipe emissions which plays a part in helping us meet climate change goals and, and even looking at the source of electricity produced to provide the power, they have considerably lower emissions over their lifetime when compared with vehicles powered by internal combustions engines.

Looking at the bigger picture, the way that electricity to power EV’s is generated from lower carbon sources such as renewables, will deliver an even greater impact in nations where this is the case (such as Norway).

Time to change

To reap the benefits from anything, change must begin and it must gather momentum. By educating car buyers and drivers about the ever-increasing amount of EV choice, that home charging is simplistic and that there is an ever-growing network of charging points across the UK, the shift to this new way of motoring will happen.

For further information about Webasto products and their integration into the EV market visit https://charging.webasto.com/en-uk/everything-ev/