As the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality is increasingly evident, switching to Electric Vehicles is becoming more accepted and affordable. Many Industries are investing in electrifying their fleet vehicles to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. This is a major step in the right direction to reduce transport emissions and to clean up the air we breathe.
There are many considerations when designing your Electric Vehicle signage requirements at your workplace, parking lot or garage. Electric Vehicle signs need to clearly provide visual direction and information for vehicle operators to access EV charging stations.
Many countries are investing in EV charging corridors to ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable and equitable charging experience for all users. This network will allow for the rapid charging of electric vehicles throughout every major highway making travel throughout the country convenient and possible for EV owners. Wayfinding signage helps EV drivers navigate to charging stations from other locations, such as a highway. Charging Station signage helps EV drivers identify charging stations and helps communicate and enforce policies related to the use of the charging infrastructure, access, time limits, hours of use and associated parking spaces.
EV parking signage helps drivers to understand that parking spaces at charging stations are for EV's only. Electric Vehicle reserved parking signs ensure that EV drivers can park close to a plug to charge their electric vehicle. EV reserved parking signage also helps prevent drivers from blocking access to the charging stations. Pavement markings, painted on the surface of a parking space commonly with the use of Stencils, can be used to reinforce signage for charging stations.
As I researched this topic, I found differing opinions on the environmental impacts of electric vehicles. While electric cars don't emit exhaust fumes, they do use batteries which can emit toxic fumes. Most electricity used to power electric vehicles is generated from non-renewable energy sources, which can have a negative impact on both our health and the environment. As well, mining and processing the minerals, plus the battery manufacturing process, involves substantial emissions of carbon.
However, research has shown that electric cars are better for the environment. They emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. And this takes into account their production and electricity generation to keep them running. The major benefit of electric cars is the contribution that they can make towards improving air quality in towns and cities. With no tailpipe, pure electric cars produce no carbon dioxide emissions when driving which reduces air pollution considerably. Also, electric vehicles operate very quietly which reduces noise pollution.
Therefore, making electric cars does use a lot of energy, but even after taking battery manufacture into account, electric cars are still a greener option. This is because of the reduction in emissions created over the vehicle’s lifetime.
But what do we do with the batteries at the end of their life?
Research into the use of second-hand batteries is looking at ways to reuse batteries in new technologies such as electricity storage. Research by the European Energy Agency found that, even with electricity generation, the carbon emissions of an electric car are around 17 – 30% lower than driving a petrol or diesel car. Research at the U.K.'s Faraday Institution is looking at ways to both reduce waste and extend the usefulness of all that lithium that's being mined. Other researchers are saying that if reuse is considered in the initial design, applications for batteries can be wide-ranging.
Experts broadly agree that electric vehicles create a lower carbon footprint over the course of their lifetime than do cars and trucks that use traditional, internal combustion engines.
As your Company considers the pros and cons of switching to Electric Vehicles, please keep us in mind for your EV signage requirements. We will work with you to design and manufacture electric vehicle signs that fit your needs. Electric Vehicle Signs can be customized with your Company logo and branding, and to convey your specific Electric Vehicle message.
Contact matt@westernsafetysign.com with your EV signage requests.