The CEO of Ineos Automotive, Lynn Calder, has emphasized the importance of adopting a mix of energy sources to combat climate change. Calder believes that relying solely on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is not the optimal solution. Speaking at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Electrified conference in the United Kingdom, Calder stated that a combination of batteries, hydrogen, and gas-powered hybrids is the way forward.
Calder’s reasoning is based on the need for a comprehensive plan to achieve the UK’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100 percent of 1999 levels by 2050. Ineos currently offers its off-roader, the Grenadier, with traditional internal combustion engines but has plans to introduce electric and hydrogen-powered versions. According to Calder, relying solely on electric vehicles would be risky and expensive.
Toyota, which also advocates for a diversified approach to future mobility solutions, has supported Calder’s standpoint. Although Toyota is placing a stronger emphasis on electric vehicles, the company agrees that a single technology cannot fully address the challenge of reducing carbon emissions. Toyota’s UK chief, Augustín Martín, stated that having choices in energy sources can never be a bad thing and that every effort to reduce carbon should be applauded.
However, Richard Bruce, the UK Department of Transport’s director of transport decarbonization, has expressed disagreement with Calder’s perspective. Bruce believes that focusing on multiple fuels can be used as an excuse for inaction and argues that battery electric vehicles have a clear advantage given the current timescale.
Calder defended her stance by highlighting the different use cases for vehicles. She explained that the Grenadier, for instance, may be utilized in remote locations where EV charging infrastructure is lacking or for heavy-duty tasks that require towing. In such scenarios, a hydrogen-powered option would make more sense.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding the optimal energy mix for combating climate change continues. While the benefits of battery electric vehicles are clear, there is merit in considering a diversified approach that incorporates other energy sources like hydrogen and gas-powered hybrids. The Ineos Grenadier, with its starting price of $71,500, is set to be available in the United States in the first quarter of next year, offering consumers a choice in powertrain options.
Sources:
– Autocar: [source title]
– Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT): [source title]