By: Erick Wessels- RS South Africa Sales Director
The transportation sector is responsible for increasing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and was the fastest growing sector in terms of fossil fuel burning from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, transportation was the second largest source of CO2 emissions after the electricity sector. Transportation was responsible for 30% of the global final energy demand and 23% of global direct CO2 emissions from the energy sector that year.
Road transport, including both passengers and freight vehicles, represents the largest segment of global transport. The growth of this sector, particularly in the sales of commercial vehicles, is greatly driven by increased demand for road freight transport.
In 2019, more than 26 million new commercial vehicles were sold, driven primarily by strong demand in high-income countries. Looking ahead, the global fleet of passengers and commercial vehicles is more than doubled by 2050. This expansion includes a significant number of contaminated vehicles that are expected to circulate, particularly in areas such as Africa, Central Asia and Latin America.
Therefore, the global transportation industry is a major emitter of greenhouse gases and is a major contributor to climate change. In this article, RS provides insight into how the transportation industry has evolved in recent years to mitigate its environmental impact.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the transportation sector is responsible for about a quarter of GHG emissions in the European Union alone. It also contributes to noise pollution, air pollution and habitat fragmentation.
In particular, the transportation sector is the only large economic sector in the EU that has seen GHG emissions increase since 1990. Between 2000 and 2019, the sector saw a significant increase in demand. A 20% increase in passenger travel, an 86% surge in road transport, an 18% increase in transportation, and a 22% increase.
This situation calls for urgent action, particularly in the EU, which aims to be carbon neutrality by 2050. As demand for transport services indirectly affects carbon emissions, the key solution is to find innovative ways to reduce this impact and encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Electrification has emerged as an important way to achieve sustainable transport. Electric vehicles (EVs) can revolutionize mobility, significantly reducing GHG emissions and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
To achieve a cleaner transportation sector, a combination of better designed cities, safer and more comfortable walking and cycling facilities, as well as cleaner and more efficient on-road fleets including EVs, must be implemented.
Over the past 20 years, EVS has experienced important technology developments that not only reduce costs, but also reduce environmental footprints and increase utility. At the same time, public transport and shared mobility are key elements for efficient transportation.
However, the introduction of EVs into the fleet is often the first step to overcome challenges and barriers to electric mobility, and is important for wider adoption around the world. It is essential that low- and middle-income countries are part of a global shift to zero-emission electronic capacity to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and reduce the rise in air pollution.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has worked with leading international organizations and private sector partners to develop a new global programme that will support the transition of finance and academia to electric mobility in low and middle-income countries around the world. UNEP's Electric Mobility Program is operated nationwide, regionally and worldwide.
At the national level, over 50 low- and middle-income countries are supported with the transition to electric mobility through programs and related projects, including solutions+ projects implemented by the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI).
At the regional level, we have established four support and investment platforms for creating communities in the emobility markets: Africa (UNEP), Asia & Pacific (ADB), Middle East Europe, Middle East Europe, Middle East Europe, Middle East Europe (ADB), West Asia and East Europe (ADB), eBrd), ASIA & The Middle East (ADB), Asia & The Middle East (ADB), Asia & The Middle East (ADB), eBrd). (CMS).
The main advantage of EVS is the lack of exhaust emissions. Unlike internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels, EVs use battery- or fuel cell-powered engines that do not directly produce greenhouse gas emissions. This shift not only reduces health risks associated with vehicle emissions, but also improves the air quality of the region by reducing air pollution.
The environmental benefits of EVs are maximized when renewable energy is billed. With more renewable sources built into the electric grid, EVS will separate transportation from fossil fuel consumption, further reduce GHG emissions and provide a pathway to fossil-fuel consumption, fostering sustainable energy ecosystems.
Public transport plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainable transport by providing efficient and affordable mobility to a larger population compared to private vehicles. It can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic congestion, which can reduce fuel consumption.
Buses, trams, trains and underground transport could potentially move more people with lower emissions than individual cars. According to the United Nations, replacing private vehicles with public transport could reduce the per capita carbon footprint by up to 2.2 tons per year.
Additionally, public transport is designed for maximum capacity and fuel efficiency. Innovations such as hybrid and electric buses further reduce fuel consumption and pollution levels. Encouraging the use of public transport can also reduce traffic congestion in the city, improve traffic flow, and reduce commute time.
The electric vehicle whitepaper, released in November 2023, addresses South Africa's electronic capabilities from both manufacturing and local market perspectives. The transition to e-mobility presents major challenges and opportunities for the South African automotive component supply chain. With the global push for electric vehicles (EVs), driven by international sustainability goals, South Africa needs to adapt its manufacturing processes and component supply chains to stay competitive.
The South African automobile industry has made a major contribution to the national economy, accounting for around 5.3% of the country's GDP, 3.2% from manufacturing and 2.1% from retail. The sector is also a major employer, providing approximately 110,000 jobs in the manufacturing segment alone (1).
The transition to EV manufacturing could create many new job opportunities. This shift is expected to increase the demand for skills in battery manufacturing, electronics and charging infrastructure development. This transition could create around 145,000 new jobs across the supply chain, particularly in the production of lithium-ion batteries and other EV components (2).
The European Union and the UK have announced plans to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. Given that these regions represent a significant portion of South Africa's vehicle exports, the EU alone accounts for 75.5% of light vehicle exports in 2023 – the South African automotive industry must keep, expanding, and rigorously geared towards expanding these markets.
South Africa's EV policy is outlined in the Electric Vehicle Roadmap, part of South Africa's broader Automobile Master Plan 2035 (SAAM). The roadmap aims to migrate the automotive market and production capacity to EVs, addressing critical energy shortages and the need to decarbonize the economy.
Electrification offers promising solutions, but is not universally applicable, especially for sectors such as aviation and marine transportation, which require high power density and long distances. Alternative fuels such as ammonia for marine applications, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, and synthetic fuels indicate viable options.
Ammonia, produced using renewable energy through green ammonia production, is a carbon-neutral fuel ideal for marine applications. Biofuels derived from biomass, such as plant residues and waste, can replace or complement traditional fuels and reduce GHG emissions.
The ultimate goal is to employ zero-emission fuels, including hydrogen generated from renewable sources and advanced technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Developing these technologies ensures that alternative fuel production does not generate significant emissions.
Since the early 2000s, great advances have been made in reducing the environmental impact of transportation. Innovation is expected to introduce new technologies into the market and further development is expected.
However, infrastructure changes are essential to meeting these advances. We are moving in the right direction. Raising awareness of our carbon footprint leads to more sustainable choices in our daily lives, paving the way for a greener future.
With operations in place 24/7, we know that close maintenance schedules work across the various sectors within the transportation industry, with many fragmentation and complexity, and that we need to work with people we can trust.
At RS, we understand the challenges your industry is facing. It helps you innovate your processes, streamline your processes, and identify opportunities to save both time and money using a wide range of products, services and solutions. We help you continue to run your business in the most efficient way.
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