In a column for The Guardian, three residents in Norway, Rwanda, and China detail daily life under high electrification as world leaders negotiate energy targets in Antalya, Turkey.
The United Nations climate summit features a push by co-hosts to raise global electricity use to 35% of total energy consumption by 2035. The current global figure stands at 23%, while negotiations continue among 100,000 delegates, negotiators, and world leaders. Norway operates near the forefront of this transition, with 98.81% of new cars sold in September being electric.
Hydropower generates 90% of the country’s electricity, keeping bills low for energy-efficient homes. Unni Berge, lives in Oslo and manages daily logistics without a personal petrol vehicle. ““I mostly use my electric car on weekends,”” said Unni Berge. Despite the high renewable share, rising demands from datacentres and connection to the broader European grid expose consumers to price volatility linked to gas costs and dry winters.
Rwanda promotes e-mobility by removing taxes on electric vehicles and banning the registration of fossil-fuel motorcycles in Kigali. Claver Habagusenga operates an electric motorbike taxi in the capital, starting his shifts early in the morning.
He uses an induction cooker for breakfast to avoid the heavy smoke and fuel costs associated with charcoal stoves. ““I always advise my colleagues with fuel bikes to switch to electric ones,”” said Claver Habagusenga. Habagusenga visits battery-swap stations three times daily, paying $1.69 per swap to maintain a daily operating range of 60 to 90 kilometres.
China integrates electric transport across urban centers through widespread charging pods and dedicated infrastructure. ““I usually wake up at 6.30am to get ready for my day,”” said Phate Zhang.
Zhang’s family operates three electric scooters for school runs and subway commutes while spending an average of 200 yuan monthly to charge their electric car. Commercial districts across Shanghai feature plentiful charging pillars that drivers activate by scanning QR codes. Commuters utilize these charging options as local authorities continue expanding urban clean energy infrastructure.
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