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Powerstar cutting carbon emissions through EV expansion

One of Powerstar’s key values is sustainable responsibility and ensuring that the company stays true to its principles by setting an example to all its employees, clients, and the local community. This encompasses considering the environmental impacts of all business decisions, from new technology development to facilities management. As part of this commitment, Powerstar has installed further Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points at its head offices and manufacturing facility in Sheffield to support colleagues and guests alike with the transition to low or zero-emission vehicles, as well as continually monitoring its carbon footprint.

Whilst Powerstar assists organisations around the world to reduce their carbon emissions through smart energy technologies such as voltage regulation, energy storage, and smart distribution transformers, it is always looking to improve internally and further reduce its own carbon footprint, especially as a manufacturer.

On a larger scale, a big emphasis has been placed on supporting efforts for all UK residents to fight against climate change by switching from solely internal combustion engine (ICE), such as petrol and diesel, powered vehicles to ultra-low emission vehicles such as plug-in hybrids or fully electric battery powered vehicles. This is underpinned by the UK Government’s target to eliminate sales of solely ICE vehicles as of 2040[1] and the concern from some MP’s that this is too late, with a suggestion of 2032 being a more effective date[2].

The uptake of EVs has grown, with seven consecutive years of growth[3] and this trend has continued in 2019, with battery electric vehicles experiencing the highest-ever monthly share of new car registrations in August 2019, with sales increasing by over 375% on the previous year[4].

Powerstar has undertaken further infrastructure improvements to help accommodate this increase by doubling the number of EV charging points at its Sheffield head office and manufacturing facility, with seven EV spaces and six EV chargers now available, in addition to the two available at the Powerstar manufacturing facility in Bromsgrove. Furthermore, Powerstar has committed to upgrade every leased vehicle to an EV as they become due for renewal, meaning that by 2021 41% of Powerstar’s owned vehicles will be electric.

Guests and colleagues alike that visit Powerstar’s Sheffield head offices can make use of the EV charging facilities for free which offer both fast and rapid charging as well as supporting multiple types of EV charging cables to be used.

Chief Operations Officer, Lee Hudson, drove the EV charging development and stated “As a sustainable, smart energy solutions provider it is important for us to lead by example and display a commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. Electric vehicles are experiencing rapid growth due to the infrastructure that is now being developed for them, such as solutions like VIRTUE EV, and it is our pleasure to facilitate the wider use of them for all that may visit Powerstar.”

Since 2015, Powerstar has reduced its fossil fuel consumption by 42%, and aims to further reduce this through the continued investment into the EV charging infrastructure, as well as by encouraging employees to consider EVs as part of the wider mission of ensuring a smart, sustainable, and responsible use of energy for all.

Find out more about how Powerstar can help your business reduce carbon emissions and take positive steps towards carbon neutrality by contacting Powerstar today.

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40726868

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/19/mps-call-for-ban-on-petrol-and-diesel-car-sales-by-2032

[3] https://www.edie.net/news/6/Report–2018-was–most-successful-year-yet–for-UK-s-EV-market/?adfesuccess=1

[4] https://www.current-news.co.uk/news/bev-sales-on-track-to-top-national-grid-projections-1