This post will be a little more personal. And it's less about that Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid. It's much more about the idea behind it - why actually drive electrically? Why save gasoline? Why save CO2 emissions?
With eco-electricity in the kindergarten
I have been a father since June 2014. At the age of 39 I became a father for the first time. And while previously it was mainly new cars, motorsports and really useless things that changed and influenced my life, from the day my daughter was born nothing was the same. A child changes everything. I'm sure all the fathers among my readers will say: That's right. And even if you can somehow imagine “before birth” to be like that, no one understands what it means to be a father until that time.
Suddenly you start worrying about things that never occurred to you before. And you have fears. At least that's how it is for me. Suddenly stairs are dangerous obstacles, a butter knife is a dangerous weapon, egg cookers - be careful, hot. And so on. All day it's all about how do I protect my child? How do I shape the future with him? His future? One day I won't be anymore - then my child will be alone. Until then, it has to understand the world. It has to be prepared. And, it has to live in this world that I leave behind. Suddenly the question of renewable energies is even more important. Polar bears and polar caps? They were always far away - suddenly separating waste is just as important as avoiding CO2. And then there are the days when Papa can drive the daughter to daycare. For a few weeks now, our little one has been going to the daycare and sometimes dad can go there.
With “without” – CO2 emissions
It happened this week. Papa went to the daycare center with the little one. Unfortunately we did not get a daycare place with us in the village. We have to drive 17 km to the next city. The Outlander is loaded in our garage - with green electricity - and back to kindergarten, it works completely electrically.
While you drive to kindergarten electrically, I haven't given it much thought. The little one is sitting in the car and her mind is more focused on the question of how to avoid direct danger. Oh, and of course don’t “swear” – even if you would otherwise behave differently in the car. You want to be a role model.
Back from kindergarten, the first glance falls on the range display on the on-board computer. How far can you actually get with the battery charge? Have you survived the Stop & Go? The range display showed 38 km when you started driving.
And then you realize that you are driving purely electrically. The child goes to daycare, without any emissions. You have to think about that first. Of course, you could always do this with a purely electric car and modern electric cars can also cover 200 km without any problems. So far, no daycare center will probably be gone. No – you drive purely electrically in the “typical kindergarten taxi”.
The SUV as a kindergarten taxi
Of course, it does not take 2 tons, four-wheel drive and room for five to get the daughter into the KiTa. That could also be done by bike. Theoretically. In our case 34 km for the daily bike tour then but rather nothing. Nevertheless, 2 tons and four-wheel drive are not needed. You could do that i-MiEV to take. Clear.
But once thought that you would still need a second car? For long distances? Or to pull the trailer? Or, or, or! No. Such an SUV is already damn practical. Place without end. And thanks to PHEV technology also completely free from the Range fears of a pure electric car, The fact that SUVs meet in front of the kindergarten is only a logical consequence of the everyday benefits. You just have to understand.
But - and while I silently slide home - despite the SUV design. Despite the size. Despite the all-wheel drive (and we live in Spessart, there is snow!) - this whole trip, there and back, caused exactly 0 grams of CO2. And cost 0 liters of gasoline.
Green electricity
I am fully aware that as a consumer I cannot completely control what color the electricity is when it comes out of the socket. Anyone who produces their own energy on the roof of their house has an advantage; everyone else has to book “green electricity”. We do that too.
100% eco-electricity booked. 100% eco-electricity paid
As a consumer there is not much more you can do when it comes to “electricity purchases”. (Inform here about eco-electricity prices). I am aware that we have an electricity mix in Germany that also includes nuclear and coal. I am aware that the CO2 emissions of the electricity mix are not 0 grams. But I won't be accused of not doing (within reason) whatever I can do. I use green electricity. I buy the approximately 4.200 kWh for the PHEV (current projection for annual consumption) as green electricity through my electricity provider. And I expect the fundamentals to change. I expect my “eco allowance” to be used for the renovation. I expect all coal-fired power plants to be shut down. I expect the switch to renewable energy, 100%! At least I'm doing my part.
And that feels good. It feels right.
For my daughter!
