For today’s societies to develop sustainably, this need must also be at the core of business decisions for modern organizations.
In the face of the irreversible nature of climate change, plans and actions should focus on reducing the environmental impact of human activities and ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
One action aimed at energy efficiency within companies is boosting electromobility through electric vehicle fleets for their various operations.
Let’s explore the characteristics of these vehicles and the advantages of moving towards more sustainable mobility.
What Are the Characteristics of Electric Vehicles?
Electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor, instead of gasoline or diesel fuel.
The electric energy is transformed into kinetic energy primarily using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged directly from the electrical grid.
Currently, electric vehicles have a greater driving range, between 300 and 400 kilometers, depending on the size and weight of the batteries. Their higher range makes them increasingly attractive due to the savings they offer by using electricity (up to 80% less, depending on the brand) compared to traditional fuels.
Another characteristic of these vehicles is their minimal acoustic impact in the environments where they operate. The electric motor practically emits no noise or vibrations while running, which undoubtedly helps maintain cleaner, quieter surroundings for the people living in them.
What Are the Advantages of Electric Vehicles?
In this sense, companies play a key role in the transformation towards less polluted environments, and consequently, in preserving ecosystems.
Having a fleet of electric vehicles means reducing the carbon footprint from combustion, one of the emissions that has contributed most to the accelerated global warming of the atmosphere.
Even though the price of an electric vehicle is still high in Chile, there has been a downward trend in prices, driven by the modification of decree 145 from the Ministry of Transport. This allows vehicles arriving from Asia to be homologated to the national electric matrix, enabling them to use compatible chargers, adapters, and cables, all now compliant with current regulations. This has led to an increase in the number of new brands entering the national market, lowering prices.
Another advantage to consider is the savings offered by these vehicles. It has been estimated that for every 100 km, an electric vehicle costs 3 to 5 times less than a combustion vehicle. Additionally, their performance is optimal, making them cost-effective as they run at low revolutions with a progressive motor, requiring no clutch or gearshift.
Acquiring an electric vehicle fleet also means a decrease in maintenance costs, which are minimal compared to combustion engine vehicles, resulting in substantial savings on workshop and after-sales services.
Can You Convert Your Conventional Vehicle to Electric?
Unfortunately, not yet. Chilean regulations do not allow the conversion of internal combustion vehicles to electric ones, citing safety reasons and stating that they will not be approved during technical inspections.
However, in European countries, as well as in Canada and the U.S., there are specific regulations and guidelines that direct companies in charge of conversions on how to implement these transformations.
This remains a pending issue in Chile, where only combustion engines can be converted to gas in any private vehicle. However, these vehicles still emit polluting emissions, such as CO2.
Therefore, there is still a long way to go toward truly clean and sustainable mobility.