Cleaner Transport
Shell wants to be a leading player in the sustainable transport system of tomorrow. That is why we are taking action today, investing in a range of alternative fuels with low or no carbon emissions, like hydrogen or EV charging, and are helping our customers to offset the transport emissions that are less easy to avoid.
In the UK, transport remains the largest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for 34% of CO2 emissions in 2019. This needs to change. There is a vital need to reduce emissions caused by transport: both local emissions that cause air pollution in our towns and cities and the CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change.
This means working with our customers to address their fuel emissions and supporting and encouraging the uptake of sustainable transport options such as low-emissions cars like electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles.
Shell also supports the UK Government's ambition to increase the uptake of low-emissions cars and believes the phase out date for sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles could be brought forward to 2030, to make sure the UK meets the 2050 net zero target. However, this could only be delivered through a robust government plan to make the transition fair and deliverable.
Electric vehicles
Powering more of the cars we drive with clean electricity is essential to addressing both growing CO2 emissions and air pollution across the UK, and building the sustainable transport system of tomorrow.
There are three main types of electric vehicles: battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and plug in hybrid electric vehicles. Unlike traditional vehicles, which usually only refuel at petrol stations, electric vehicles have the potential to be recharged at home, at work or on the go. That’s why Shell is investing in developing EV infrastructure across the UK and now offers over 80 Shell Recharge charge points on Shell forecourts across the UK. Additionally, Shell owned NewMotion provides drivers access to a public charging network of over 2,600 EV charge points across the UK, of which 40% are rapid chargers.
But for EVs to be an effective solution, they need to be charged using clean power and that is why all Shell Recharge points are supplied with 100% certified renewable electricity.
Hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen also has the potential to be an important low-carbon, sustainable transport fuel, particularly for heavy-duty transport such as trucks and buses.
Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles produce no greenhouse gases from the exhaust pipe – the only emission is water vapour. And when renewable electricity is used to make the hydrogen, the vehicle can be powered without generating any emissions.
In the UK, Shell has opened three hydrogen refuelling stations so far with our partners ITM Power and Toyota, at Shell Beaconsfield, Shell Cobham and Shell Gatwick North, with three more to follow.
Carbon offsetting
Not everyone can switch to EVs or to using alternative fuels like hydrogen immediately. So, in the meantime, Shell is offering those drivers the opportunity to lower their carbon footprint and drive carbon neutral.
In the UK, members of the Shell Go+ rewards programme can opt-in to drive carbon neutral. For customers who choose to opt-in, Shell will offset the emissions associated with their fuel purchases by purchasing carbon credits, where each credit represents the avoidance or removal of greenhouse gases equivalent to one tonne of CO2. Carbon credits are purchased from projects around the world that protect and restore natural ecosystems that can absorb carbon dioxide.
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