Switching to e-cars will not suffice for Iceland to reach Paris agreement goals
The changes brought about by the increased use of electric and hybrid cars in Iceland are positive. However, the change from petrol to electricity on our roads takes too long and is, on its own, not sufficient to reach Iceland´s goals according to the Paris agreement regarding the threat of climate change.
The Icelandic government has introduced an action plan for reducing the country´s carbon footprint. One of the items is to ban cars that run on petrol or diesel in the year 2030. The date might be too far away though. Using electric and hybrid cars is an essential part of Iceland´s plan to reduce carbon emissions but in order to achieve its goal, Iceland needs to strengthen its public transport system and commuting habits.
These are among the findings of a new report written by Eyjólfur Ingi Ásgeirsson and Hlynur Stefánsson, among others. Eyjólfur and Hlynur are Associate Professors at RU´s School of Science and Engineering. The report contains an analysis of the so-called "energy change" of cars in Iceland, from petrol and diesel to electricty. Using certain criteria and models, they predicted the composition of owned cars, use of energy and emission from 2018 to 2050.
Even though the energy change in itself will not suffice for Iceland to reach its Paris agreement goals, the overall benefits are categorical when consumer financial interests are taken into account and society as a whole. The report only took into account the switch to electricity, excluding other domestic energy sources such as hydrogen, methane and bio-diesel.
Read the report (in Icelandic)
Eyjólfur Ingi Ásgeirsson.
Hlynur Stefánsson.
