Electric vehicles (EVs) are changing the landscape of the transportation industry. They have a lower carbon footprint than gasoline-powered vehicles and are responsible for saving our planet. The transportation sector has been a major cause of pollution worldwide. The emissions from conventional vehicles release air pollutants into the environment. Therefore, EVs can be an effective way of mitigating air pollution. The role of the solar EV charger is crucial here, as the electricity in EVs is generally powered by fossil fuels. Currently, the source of charge for the electrical grid is predominantly coal. There’s a critical need to reduce further the usage of fossil fuels, which can be done through solar charging stations.
Electricity generated through solar power, which can be directed towards charging electric vehicles, is not only a renewable source of energy but also entails no greenhouse gasses during its operation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the major benefits of solar charging for electric vehicles:
1. A Renewable Source of Energy
Electric vehicles have played a significant role in reducing environmental pollution. However, if conventional sources of energy power the electricity, we might be doing very little to reduce the carbon footprint, and the emission of greenhouse gasses will continue to be an issue. Therefore, powering EVs through solar energy will ensure a zero carbon footprint in the environment.
2. A Cost-Effective Alternative
In the case of on-grid charging, the electricity is fed into the grid even though electricity is being drawn from the grid or not. Solar EVs ensure optimum energy usage, and they are considered a cheaper option than charging from the grid.
3. Easy Installation
Solar rooftop photovoltaic (SRTPV) is the cleanest way of fuelling electric vehicles. They are easier to install, given their modular design, and they can be easily scaled within the cities. The cost of solar installations has gotten significantly lower over time, encouraging many people to make this a popular source of renewable energy.
4. Approach by Industry Stakeholders
Various automotive companies have come forward looking for a sustainable option to solve the problem of environmental pollution. EVs are expected to counter these harmful effects of the emissions from conventional vehicles. However, EVs are only a practical option for the long term when a renewable source of energy powers them. This has encouraged various companies like Tesla, ABB, Siemens AG, etc. to get behind this concept, seeking new opportunities offered by combining Solar Energy and Electric Vehicle Charging. Tesla Motors has created solar-powered stations in some locations for their customers to charge their electric vehicles.
The combination of Solar Energy and Electrical vehicles has been receiving primary interest in recent years as both play an essential role in achieving green mobility. The solar EV charger has been taken very seriously by industry leaders such as Tesla Motors. They have installed solar power charging stations for their customers and take positive steps to make EV charging sustainable. However, there are specific challenges in adopting solar-powered EVs, such as inadequate charging infrastructure, which will require an initial push by the government authorities.
To ensure a cleaner future for our planet, we must realise that renewable energy is inevitable, and it is the need of the hour that we adopt the usage of electric vehicles (that are powered by the sun) both on a commercial and personal level to not only meet sustainability requirements but also choose a cost-effective alternative.
