The Key to Becoming Carbon Negative

We hear a lot about the desire for carbon neutrality these days, and while that’s noble indeed, we at EVCS have set our sights on even loftier goals. Our mission is to become carbon negative, meaning not only have we reduced carbon emissions to negligible levels, but we have offset more carbon than we contribute to the environment through techniques like avoidance, sequestration and carbon capture.

So, how does one go about achieving such a monumental task?

The first step is committing to power-based 100% on renewables like solar, wind and geothermal. One of the biggest criticisms leveled at the EV industry is the notion that we’re simply trading one environmentally harmful source for another – the vehicle for the power plant. And while it’s true that worldwide carbon negativity won’t be fully realized until renewables become mainstream replacements for fossil fuels, individual companies like EVCS can facilitate the trend by committing to use only renewable energy to power its network.

While making the commitment certainly is critical, executing is a whole different story. The current lack of widespread grids powered by renewables means we have to purchase our electricity from renewable energy producers through credit offsets, even as the actual power may still be flowing (for now) from a traditional power grid. While this comes with added costs, it also means we’re investing in companies that share our mission of a healthier planet and are integral in “greening” a key part of the energy supply chain.

This setup has many advantages. It allows us to essentially utilize 100% renewable energy for every charger in our network regardless of where it’s installed and retain top-notch fast-charging capabilities without the need for expensive and complex renewable energy generation systems. Moreover, once a network operator like EVCS receives accreditation from its governing body for using 100% renewable energy to power operations, it’s able to issue its own carbon credits, which can in turn be sold to offset the increased costs of purchasing renewable energy.

Bolstering our argument for the use of renewables to achieve carbon negativity are studied by numerous groups and organizations that have documented the benefits. While the total number of carbon offsets issued is relatively small worldwide (about 250 million tons worth were issued in 2020), the market is growing significantly as renewable energy sources grow, with nearly three times as many offsets issued in 2020 as in 2015, according to opentaps.org. Moreover, analysts with German bank Berenberg believe that current trends are leading to a global carbon offset market of some $200 billion by 2050.

On average, offset prices stand at about $4 per metric ton, which some fear are too low to provide companies with sufficient financial incentive to reduce emissions. However, a joint study published last year by University College London and Trove Research concluded, according to GreenBiz, that “the current surplus of carbon offset credits could be quickly eroded, with demand expected to increase fivefold or even tenfold over the next decade as companies seek to deliver on their net zero emissions pledges. As such, prices could rise to $50 per metric ton by 2030.”

All of this is to say that the momentum for achieving carbon negativity through the use of renewables is accelerating, with EVCS already serving as a key leader and motivator of the movement in the EV space. More importantly, none of these changes have adversely affected the quality, service and cost savings we offer our customers. Quite the contrary. Our expansion into viable new frontiers like this has allowed us the opportunity to demonstrate how high-quality/low-cost service and responsible, sustainable mobility can coexist perfectly.

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6 Reasons Why Fast Charging is Critical

EVCS Level 3 chargers are capable of charging an EV battery to 80% capacity within 20 minutes on most vehicles. They are sleek, efficient, convenient, work with any EV, can function in myriad conditions, and are connected by a powerful network with an easy-to-use interface. By all measures, Level 3 charging – or fast charging – is not only an important link in the electric mobility chain as society transitions away from fossil fuels but a critical one to the goal of mass EV adoption.

Catering to Niche Markets

EV drivers are as unique as the cars they own. All have special reasons why electric mobility is the sensible choice for them. In that vein, we recognize that building a massive new EV network is not a one-size-fits all strategy, but one that takes into account the needs of niche groups across the country. Below is just a smattering of the smaller market subsets we have in mind as we aim to make the transition to electric feel more personal and individualistic based on things like interests, jobs, and locale.

How the Ukrainian Crisis Could Affect the EV Market

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, concerns over how a prolonged incursion may affect global markets has become a frequent topic of discussion, even as major world powers issue a raft of sanctions against Russia in an effort to end the conflict sooner. There are certain to be ramifications for the EV industry specifically as a consequence of the dispute, some of which we’re already starting to see, although their duration and severity are still in question. Here are some of the most prominent.

How EVCS is Helping Change America’s EV Charging Experience

As most of us know, Congress recently approved $7.5 billion in spending for new EV charging installations as part of the larger infrastructure bill, which we expect will help facilitate a speedier transition away from fossil fuels. Even with EV sales increasing in recent years, reports suggest that 25 percent of all carbon emissions still come from the tailpipe, so anything the government can do to kick things up a notch is surely welcome. However, even with such a sizable investment, many challenges still exist that network operators like EVCS will have to help overcome. In a recent article on TheVerge.com, several prescient examples were cited of core areas to focus on if we want to make mass EV adoption a reality. Below are a few such areas and how EVCS is addressing them.

Installation of the Month (February 2022): Sierra Commons Shopping Plaza

The next stage in the evolution of EV charging will be a network operator’s ability to target consumers with advertising and media content pertinent to their demographic. Our recent partnership with minority-owned iKahan Media has afforded us just that opportunity, allowing for the expansion and creation of “a digital billboard network combining EVCS chargers with state-of-the-art LED screens,” as reported last year in a release on PR Newswire. (You can read that entire piece here) Such an initiative is intended to improve the economics of public charging by generating an additional revenue stream for both us and site hosts, providing advertisers with a select new platform for reaching consumers, and increasing value for EV drivers who want to see content that’s relevant to them.