We used electric vehicles to save 68 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
Putting sustainability first and being energy efficient has big benefits for organisations – including Drax. To help reduce our environmental impact and make our business more sustainable, we decided to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
The transport sector accounts for around 37% of all CO₂ emissions, so encouraging electrification offers a way for organisations to cut their carbon emissions and improve local air quality.
Fully electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids driven in electric mode, produce no harmful tailpipe emissions. That means no carbon dioxide (CO₂), no nitrogen oxide (NOx), and no particulates (atmospheric aerosol particles). The fact that EVs will be widespread by 2030 and delivering financial benefits to – while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of – the early adopters made our decision even easier.
On the route to carbon-zero
After investing in solar panels at our Ipswich and Northampton offices, encouraging the switch to EVs was the next logical step.
In 2019, our Electric Vehicles team reviewed the wide range of available options to find the most efficient and cost-effective charging solution for our needs. We installed 2 charge stations in Ipswich, and 3 in Northampton. At both sites, we connected to our solar panels to create a carbon neutral charging infrastructure, for use by Drax colleagues and office visitors alike.
As Adam Hall, Director of Energy Services at Drax, explains:
EVs can really help your business meet its sustainability goals. And this is especially true if you’re generating your own renewable energy to charge them.
The solution delivers a future-proof infrastructure, as we can were able to connect additional charge stations when needed. Just one year after the initial installation at our Ipswich office, we added an extra charge station with two extra charging sockets.
The results
Since 2019, our Northampton and Ipswich charging stations have:
- Been used a total of 3,604 times by colleagues and visitors
- Dispatched over 67 MWh of renewable energy
- Saved over 68 tonnes of CO₂
Installing charge stations at our offices has reduced our carbon emissions and supported colleagues, suppliers and other visitors in their own transition to electric.
How can we help you?
We’d like to repeat the success we achieved at our two offices with your organisation – wherever you are in the UK.
With Government initiatives such as the Workplace Charging Scheme that provides grants up to 75% (£14,000) off the costs of new infrastructure for EVs, now’s the time to take action.
Regardless of whether you run a vehicle fleet or not, if you’d like to reduce your carbon emissions and support the UK’s transition to electric, our Electric Vehicles team can help.
Get in touch
