In electromobility, in general, it changes from an internal combustion engine – which produces greenhouse gases (CO2) – to an electric motor that does not produce this type of gases. That is the first good characteristic of electromobility that Claudio Burgos, an academic at the Institute of Engineering Sciences (ICI) of the University of O’Higgins (UOH), highlights.
“In this sense one can consider it sustainable because in order to operate, deliver the same benefits, it does not generate pollution, which is good for the environment and for people’s health,” according to Dr. Burgos, who adds that the amount of Internal combustion cars that circulate every day means that they are polluting a lot every day and are contributing to aggravating climate change.
Despite the clarity of the benefits of electromobility, the academic explains that it is necessary to keep in mind that the change from the current transportation system to migrating to electromobility requires a transition. “This is because the electrical grid is not prepared to charge all these vehicles and machinery that we want to migrate. So, a middle ground is to start using biofuels. That is, I have the same normal internal combustion vehicle, but instead of using gasoline, which is derived from petroleum, I use biofuels, which are generated through biomass.” Furthermore, he recognizes that “biomass means – in its production – generating CO2, but this process is conceived by integrating plantations, which absorb carbon dioxide, generating a neutral CO2 cycle.”
It details that biomass can be generated, for example, from crop waste, trees and garbage, among others. “In Europe, you have a corn crop that remains as plant matter, which through technological treatments is used to produce biofuel.” Although, he continues, biomass does not stop producing greenhouse gases, it does achieve the use of biofuels that are not derived from coal, such as oil and gasoline.
THE REALITY IN CHILE
The academic points out that electromobility will be a reality in the not so distant future. “In Europe, there are countries that, through public policies, are going to prohibit the sale of internal combustion vehicles in the coming years, and because of this, large companies – which produce internal combustion vehicles – are migrating to the production of electric vehicles and it is expected that, in the future, all these firms stop selling internal combustion vehicles and only sell electric vehicles. Therefore, what we are going to have as a market, in the world, is going to be electric cars.”
Regarding the national situation, Claudio Burgos explains that “the National Electromobility Policy was recently issued, which, if put into practice, will imply the same thing, that is, migrating to electric cars because combustion cars will be prohibited. internal”.
It details that the regulations have three main sections. “The first stage is to increase the current number of electric cars (2,430) 10 times by 2030 (reach 24,300). Then, by 2040, have 100% electric public transportation and, by 2050, have 40% of cars electric. That is to say, there is a line to follow and if it materializes, it will make Chile have regulations similar to other countries.”
In addition, Burgos mentions that it is necessary to adapt the country’s electrical network. “It is not prepared, for example, if tomorrow we all migrate to electric vehicles and the network does not change, we could have electricity supply problems and in the worst case, a general blackout in Chile. Therefore, to spread the topic of electromobility to the masses, we must also modernize the national electrical grid and, in addition, produce more energy. Look for other sources, add wind and solar, for example.”
WHAT BENEFITS WOULD ELECTROMOBILITY BRING?
“From an environmental point of view, the first thing is that I am not polluting, therefore, I do not produce greenhouse gases and I am contributing to improving the environment. Added to this is that charging an electric vehicle will be cheaper than charging a gasoline vehicle. Today, the current barrier to electric vehicles is the battery bank, which implies an issue of autonomy. Currently, they are not competitive in that matter. However, there is a lot of development regarding improving the type of battery and it is expected that, in the future, it will be quite competitive. Meanwhile, the investment to change from an internal combustion car to an electric one is high because the technologies are still quite new and because it is not produced in large quantities either.”
