The electric mobility revolution is here
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more popular, with 2020 bringing in record numbers of EV sales, in spite of the global pandemic.
There’s a good reason for that market shift. As global warming and climate change become mainstream topics in the media and for governments worldwide, the automotive industry needs to keep up and do its part in working towards zero emissions for cars. Today, it’s happening. More and more automotive companies are getting into the clean car business, recognizing the potential of EVs in the future.
The business world isn’t far behind. Understanding the power of EVs, companies are starting to make an effort to work towards zero emissions by adopting electric mobility. While the move requires EV infrastructure and changes to everyday operations, for many it’s a worthwhile endeavor. After all, they are doing their part in helping our environment while setting an example for others at the same time.
Companies are taking initiative and adopting electric mobility to lower their carbon footprint
Today, we’re seeing more companies than ever beginning to adopt the zero-emissions pledge. Zero emissions means that no waste products are emitted from engines, motors, processes, etc.., and therefore not causing pollution or disruption to the climate and our plater.
The shift in companies moving to EVs can be seen across a wide range of industries. Moving fleets into the EV world can have a significant effect on global emissions, especially when we’re looking at large corporations such as Walmart, Uber, or Amazon.
So, which companies are leading the way and setting an example for EV adoption?
1- Uber
2- Walmart
3- Amazon
4- Frito Lay – PepsiCo
5- Anheuser Busch
6- Lyft
7- Lime
8- Facebook
9- FedEx
10- Ingka Group – Ikea
11- UPS
12- Unilever
13- Port Authority of New York
14- Apple
15. Google
1. Uber
Uber has announced that they have adopted an extensive plan to become a completely electric, zero emission platform by 2040. The Green Future program gives drivers access to resources to help shift to EVs by 2025 in the US, Canada, and Europe. The goal is that the US and Canada will be completely electric by 2030 and the rest of the world by 2040.
The plan extends beyond ride shares and clean cars. Uber is partnering with transportation providers globally in an effort to make public transportation more accessible, another step in making our planet a cleaner and better place to live. In addition, Uber has also partnered with Lime bikes and scooters (already available on the app), for those looking to take a short ride on a zero emissions mode of transportation.
The first steps of the plan can already be seen coming to life in the Uber app. Today, riders can press “Uber Green” and request to receive an electric or hybrid vehicle (in select cities). Uber estimates that each of these rides emits at least 25% less carbon emissions than a regular Uber ride in a non-EV.
2. Walmart
Walmart is the world’s largest retailer so it’s no surprise that companies worldwide look to them as an example. Walmart has announced that it will be a zero emissions company by 2040 as part of its effort to address the climate change crisis.
Walmart aims to help the world’s supply chains become regenerative. The plan to become zero-emissions expands beyond Walmart’s fleet and includes using 100% renewable energy by 2035. In terms of its fleet, Walmart plans to transfer all of its vehicles to EVs which includes its long-haul trucks.
Walmart has already started adopting some EV infrastructure and vehicles in their Canadian facilities, as well as working to become more fuel-efficient. But, with a fleet of over 20,000 vehicles, the full transition will take time.
3. Amazon
Who isn’t familiar with Amazon’s vans with the smile on them? Today, the smile is turning electric. In 2020, Amazon announced that it had purchased 100,000 custom EVs as part of “The Climate Pledge”, the pledge that Amazon co-founded challenging companies to commit to having net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
In 2021, Amazon has already started test driving its new EVs in select cities. In the coming years, Amazon will deploy more and more EVs and set up its EV infrastructure until transitioning into a fully electric fleet by 2030. While the program has already launched in certain locations, Amazon is continuing its testing on vehicle performance, safety in varying geographical locations, and adjusting the EVs based on Amazon’s needs.
Together with the launch of the electric vehicles, Amazon has also started preparing its EV infrastructure. EV chargers have been installed in thousands of delivery stations throughout North America and Europe.
4. Frito Lay – PepsiCo
PepsiCo is another large organization that has taken on the pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. One of the major challenges in the shift to zero emissions for PepsiCo is its global fleet, consisting of thousands of vehicles.
To get started, PepsiCo has decided to launch a pilot facility at Frito Lay’s campus in California. The campus will feature an EV fleet including semi trucks, straight trucks, electric yard trucks, electric forklifts, and natural gas trucks (using renewable natural gas).
The site will integrate EV infrastructure chargers as a testing site for PepsiCo’s future EV fleet plans and goals.
5. Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch, the major beer company, has pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 25% throughout their entire supply chain by the year 2025. With approximately 1 million beer shipments a year, this means adjusting the company’s fleet that is used to deliver popular beers such as Budweiser and Stella Artois to stores and bars throughout the United States.
In order to make the transition, the company’s sustainability plan includes adjusting its fleet of 1600 vehicles to EVs. The first round of purchases included 800 hydrogen-electric semi-trucks from Nikola. In addition, the company has plans to buy 40 Tesla Semi trucks. Anheuser-Busch will potentially be one of the first companies in the country to generate zero-emissions in its long-haul fleet, setting an important example for others.
6. Lyft
Lyft has committed to going 100% electric across its platform by 2030 (a decision which sparked Uber to make a similar pledge).
Lyft explains the decision by saying that “EVs are good for the planet, drivers, and riders.” By moving to EVs, drivers will be able to lower their costs, earn more, and therefore rides will be less of a burden on the environment.
7. Lime
Lime might seem like a bit of a cheat on our list. Afterall, Lime operates electric scooters so it may be obvious that they are committed to going green. However, Lime’s commitment to the environment doesn’t solely revolve around their scooters.
Lime has pledged that its entire vehicle fleet will be electric by 2030. All of the company’s vehicles (in large part small vans) will become electric and powered by renewable-energy by the end of the decade, including in some cities which are nearing completion in 2021 (such as Paris).
Lime is part of EV100, a global initiative by The Climate Group. EV100 unites companies that are transitioning to EVs with the goal of making electric vehicles and transport standard by 2030.
8. Facebook
While Facebook isn’t known for its delivery system or fleet, it’s no surprise that the tech giant wanted to get into the EV game. And so, in 2018, Facebook bought 43 EVs to be used as on-campus shuttles (with such a large campus, emissions from shuttles do add up!).
Facebook is looking at additional methods to adopt EV infrastructure and clean cars into its everyday practices. For example, one option is to adopt EV shuttle buses for their employees.
9. FedEx
FedEx isn’t new to the EV scene. Starting back in 2010, the company began researching and building plans to achieve zero-emissions, as well as beginning to implement EVs as an early adopter.
FedEx’s goal is to be half EV by 2025 and 100% by 2040. FedEx has already begun expanding its EV fleet internationally by adding hundreds of vehicles overseas (including airport equipment and forklifts).
10. Ingka Group – IKEA
IKEA is a bit different than the other companies on this list due to the fact that it does not maintain its own fleet. But, that hasn’t stopped IKEA from setting out on its goal of being climate positive by 2030. The company plans to achieve this by cutting emissions throughout its supply chain, including deliveries.
Firstly, over 75% of IKEA stores owned by Ingka Group had EV charging stations in 2018. This is an important step in encouraging the customer base to purchase and arrive at the stores in their EVs. In addition, they have pledged that all deliveries and services in the 30 markets that they operate in will be done by EVs (or other zero-emission options).
The mission has already begun and 19 countries are already using EVs for IKEA deliveries. IKEA recognizes the fact that switching out vehicles for electric options is a good start but it isn’t the entire solution. The company looks specifically to work with companies who want to be partners on their mission to improve the planet and bring down emissions. Shanghai is the first city in the store’s network to reach the goal of using only EVs in their home delivery process (approximately 900 a day).
11. UPS
UPS is committed to minimizing their carbon footprint with what they call a “rolling laboratory of alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technologies”.
The rolling laboratory continuously adds more EVs in an effort to maximize the use of alternative fuel and advanced tech. Today’s fleet consists of 11,000 lower-emission vehicles and UPS continues to expand its line. In collaboration with Arrival, UPS has worked since 2016 to create solutions for its EV fleet with various types and sizes of vehicles. UPS has plans to purchase and deploy 10,000 custom built EVs in its North American and European markets as of now.
12. Unilever
Unilever, the global company based in the UK and the Netherlands, has a fleet of 11,000 vehicles. As part of the EV100 program, Unilever has committed to transitioning its entire fleet to EVs by 2030. Along the way, the company has set intermittent goals such as 25% EV/hybrid by 2020 and 50% by 2025.
13. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
A topic we haven’t discussed on this list yet: buses!
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the proud owner of 36 electric buses and 19 EV chargers, located around the New York area’s 3 airports. The Port Authority’s goal is to have a completely electric fleet by the end of 2021.
The Port Authority also has light-duty vehicles of which 130 are currently electric. They aim to have 50% (600 in number) of their fleet composed of EVs by 2023.
14. Apple
Apple’s contribution to the EV market has to do with development. Just like everything else, Apple has a goal of creating breakthrough technology that will shake the market, and EVs are no exception.
Apple’s efforts to get into the electric car industry date back to 2014 with “Project Titan”, a project that brought in 1000 experts and engineers in an effort to develop Apple’s own EV. The project has taken time and undergone various changes in leadership, with the latest predictions indicating that the Apple car will come to market in a minimum of three to six years.
What will be included in the Apple car? One guess is autonomous driving software that the company has been working on for years. Apple is working on a self-driving shuttle for its employees in California as well.
One thing is for sure, Apple’s EV is something to look forward to.
15. Google
Google isn’t building its own car (yet) but its forward-thinking technology helps EV owners use AI to find the best EV chargers no matter where they are. Google’s tech will be available for EVs that have Google’s Android Automative system as their primary operating system. The system lets you search for EV charging stations depending on the type of plug they have.
Google’s Android Automative system serves as the brains of an EV and controls everything from the AC to navigation, and even the radio. While Google may not have its own car, without its systems, many cars won’t be able to operate.
EV chargers – the next step in creating your perfect EV infrastructure
As more global companies are understanding the widespread benefits of integrating zero emissions and EVs into their company policies, the need for EV infrastructure is rising.
Without EV chargers located conveniently in the correct locations, electric mobility can’t come to fruition. Not only that, if companies want their employees to adopt a green lifestyle and drive EVs themselves, they’ll need to provide their employees with EV chargers at home and reimburse them for their electricity usage instead of fuel costs.
Luckily, EV Meter’s scalable EV charging solution provides fleet managers or CPOs with everything they need to manage their EV charging ecosystem in one place! From smart chargers that can report on electricity usage and perform remote updates, to web and mobile access to your entire charging network at a glance – EV meter has all your EV infrastructure needs covered.
Learn more about our end-to-end solution here