Shell Goes Electric, Aims to Be Emission-Free by 2050
As the auto industry continues to shift toward electric vehicles, the oil industry is taking small steps to adapt to this trend. Chevron and BP are just some of the companies offering more charging stations to cater to EV owners. Now, Shell is joining the electrification bandwagon.
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Net-zero emissions by 2050
Shell recently announced it will adopt BP’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions within the next 30 years. The company’s CEO, Ben van Beurden, expressed that this new direction is a direct response to climate change concerns.
Though Shell has yet to provide more details on the specific steps they’ll take to be emission-free, it’s likely to take the form of installing more electric charging stations at gas stations nationwide. Shell already started adding charging stations to gas stations a few years ago. Last year, it bought charging network Greenlots. It has also invested in hydrogen stations for fuel-cell models.
Per Green Car Reports, Shell will still produce some fossil fuels. It will simply focus more attention on renewable energy in the days to come.
Beyond reducing carbon emissions
Investing in alternative energy isn’t the only facet of the company’s clean air trajectory, though. “Our focus on natural ecosystems is one step we are taking today to support the transition towards a low-carbon future. This comes in addition to our existing efforts, from reducing the carbon intensity of oil and gas operations to investments in renewable sources of energy,” said van Beurden.
Just last year, Shell announced that it would help facilitate wetland, forest, and other natural ecosystem projects on an international scale. It launched a project with a Dutch state forestry service in the Netherlands to plant more than 5 million trees over a period of 12 years. It’s also sponsoring forest regeneration projects in Spain as well as Queensland, Australia.
It will be interesting to see what specific projects Shell announces as the rest of 2020 plays out, to help bring it closer to its 2050 goal. We wish the company the best of luck as it embarks on its more eco-friendly trajectory.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.