Electric vehicles can deliver the province of Utrecht an emission reduction of 870 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030. In Utrecht, mobility accounts for over 41% of emissions, most of it from road traffic.
What it is
Electric vehicles replace petrol and diesel engines: they are more efficient, cleaner and longer-lasting, with fewer moving parts and little maintenance. Compared with a petrol car, emissions fall by 50% when the electricity comes from the regular grid, and by 95% with renewable energy. More than 300,000 electric cars are now on the road in the Netherlands, and growth is remarkably fast.
Potential in Utrecht
The total addressable market is the entire vehicle fleet (cars, vans and trucks). The average annual growth of electric vehicles was 85.9% — almost fifty times faster than that of petrol cars (1.7%). The plausible scenario assumes 15% electric cars, 8% vans and 10% trucks, yielding 310 kton reduction; the ambitious scenario assumes 30%, 40% and 40%, reaching 870 kton.
Co-benefits
Electric driving is not only cleaner but also cheaper to run, and it disrupts existing car and oil business models because the vehicles are simpler to make. In addition, smarter travel — such as pooled transport or fewer trips — further lowers the demand for transport.
Provincial policy
Within mobility, 91% of emissions come from road traffic, of which 63% from cars and nearly 20% from heavy commercial vehicles. There is therefore much potential in electrifying both passenger and freight transport.
In practice
Cityhub offers a zero-emission last-mile solution for urban distribution, delivering goods efficiently and sustainably to their destination. The Utrecht company Luscii shows that fewer trips help too: a four-day working week can substantially lower the ecological footprint.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ can electric vehicles save in Utrecht?
According to this assessment, up to 870 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030 (ambitious scenario), or 310 kton in the plausible scenario.
How much cleaner is an electric car?
Compared with a petrol car, emissions fall by 50% on regular electricity and by 95% on renewable energy.
What share of Utrecht’s emissions comes from mobility?
Over 41%, of which 91% from road traffic — mainly cars. Electrification therefore offers major leverage.
Source: Preliminary Climate Solutions Assessment for the province of Utrecht (Drawdown Europe & New Economy, 2021), based on the Project Drawdown methodology. Part of the sector-based climate action plan for the province of Utrecht.