As part of our ongoing sustainability commitments, we are thrilled with the latest addition to our green fleet: our third electric maintenance vehicle. By integrating more EV's into our operations, this will help to further minimise the carbon footprint of our travels and deliveries, ensuring that we are contributing to a greener and cleaner future.
Electric Vehicles in Urban Areas
Electric vehicles are playing a pivotal role in transforming urban transportation and reducing emissions in cities. Powered by electricity rather than traditional fossil fuels like diesel and gasoline, EVs use rechargeable batteries to power an electric motor, resulting in more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly journeys.
Over a year, just one electric car on the roads can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.
That’s the equivalent of four return flights from London to Barcelona.
Urban areas face a number of challenges, with pollution and congestion taking a toll on the environment and people’s quality of life. By incorporating electric vehicles into our fleet of vehicles, we are helping to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to poor air quality and climate change.
Types of electric vehicles
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
Extended range electric vehicle (E-REV)
With zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles help reduce air pollution and improve air quality, contributing to healthier communities and clearer skies. Electric vehicles are quieter than petrol and diesel cars, helping to reduce noise pollution, leading to more peaceful city areas. Where an EV directly converts electricity into movement, this makes it far more energy efficient than a traditional vehicle. Electric vehicles also have a lower center of gravity, which can lead to better handling and reduced rollovers. They also have better acceleration and crumple zones.
What does the future look like?
The UK government introduced a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in January 2024 that requires car manufacturers to sell a minimum percentage of zero-emission vehicles. Currently this is the world’s most ambitious national-level decarbonisation framework of its kind and the largest carbon-saving measure across government.
80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
(Note: this was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government)
Taking green steps forward
We at Meristem Design are continually trying to find new innovative ways to reduce emissions and minimise our environmental impact and carbon footprint.
This initiative not only aligns with our mission to contribute to a greener and cleaner future but also brings us closer to our goal of achieving B-corp status.
B-corp certification represents the highest standards of social and environmental performance, and achieving this designation is a major priority for us. The addition of EVs to our fleet is just one of the many steps we are taking to meet these standards and demonstrate our commitment to creating a positive impact on both people and the planet.
At Meristem Design, we are proud to be at the forefront of the movement towards sustainable urban transportation, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of our efforts in the communities we serve.
