Powering different sectors

How transportation can run on renewable electricity

A transport industry that runs on renewable energy is vital for a more sustainable society. But how can we know the origin of energy? And how can we ensure that electric transportation uses renewables when connected to the European grid?

Transport-2

Driven by renewables

A significant share of the electricity in the European grid is produced by burning fossil fuels. Hence, to ensure that energy one consumes comes from renewable sources, one must match the volume with Guarantees of Origin, the instruments employed to document renewable energy.

 

Transportation, however, presents unique challenges. As opposed to static consumption spots, such as buildings, data centres or factories, transport is – self-evidently – mobile. So, should we attempt to measure the output of charging points, or would it be better to count the usage of individual cars, trains, and buses?

 

Ecohz has explored both alternatives and collaborated with electric vehicle (EV) associations, suppliers of charging equipment, infrastructure developers, car manufacturers, and power producers to transform Europe’s transport system.

 

In cooperation with the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, Ecohz worked to ensure that all-electric vehicles in Norway consume renewable electricity by providing Guarantees of Origin for the annual electricity usage of individual EVs. Thus, the renewable guarantee follows the car, independently of where it is charged.

 

Meanwhile, in tandem with Green Motion, the Swiss manufacturer of EV charging equipment, Ecohz developed a scheme for charging stations. All charging spots property of Green Motion received Guarantees of Origin from Ecohz corresponding with the charger’s consumption. This ensures that all Green Motion customers receive renewable power through their charging equipment.

“The source of the power being a sensitive topic in the field of electric mobility, I wanted our company to take responsibility as a provider of charging infrastructure using the Norwegian company Ecohz, European leader in the field of Guarantees of Origin, to assure and document the origin of the power delivered”, says François Randin, CEO of Green Motion.

Norway's success story

Norway has the highest number of electric cars per capita in the world. The country’s success with EVs was driven, among other factors, by an incentive package that included no Value Added Tax (VAT) on electric vehicles, reduced road taxes, and free parking in public parking areas.

Norway’s incentive package:

  • No VAT on electric vehicles
  • Reduced road taxes
  • Access to bus and taxi lanes on highways
  • Free parking in public parking areas
  • Free charging in designated electric vehicle parking areas
  • Free access to publicly owned ferries
  • Reduced fringe benefit tax (when owned by a company)

The Zero Emission Resource Organization – ZERO and the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association have made a five-part video series about electric vehicles.

Watch Tom Lindberg speak about the differences in emissions between vehicle types and Christina Bu, Secretary General, Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, explain how Guarantees of Origin help the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association’s members ensure that the energy that their vehicles consume is documented with renewable energy.

Trains running on renewable energy

Trains can run on fossil fuel or renewable energy. Ecohz ensured a carbon free travel to COP 21 by a network of trains from Asia and across Europe to Paris was running on renewable energy. The trains were full of official delegates and journalists going to COP21 in Paris.

Ecohz provided Guarantees of Origin (GO) to guarantee renewable energy consumption and the trains contributed to producing new renewable energy thanks to an agreement between Ecohz and the International Union of Railways (UIC). Ecohz delivered a GO2 solution that unleashed financing of new renewable energy production.

“We are delighted to support carbon-free travel to a United Nations COP meeting. The use of renewable energy is a key issues for our future. The UIC strategy for 2030 and 2050 aims at carbon-free railway operation in Europe and very-low carbon rail transport worldwide", says Nick Craven from the International Union of Railways.
Client case

Trains powered by Norwegian hydropower

Bane NOR, responsible for the national railway infrastructure and the electricity supply to train companies in Norway, has entered into a new agreement ensuring that the origin of all electricity to be delivered in 2022 is Norwegian hydropower.

Read more
Bane NOR Norway

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