Our society is transitioning toward greater electricity use and away from the use of fossil fuels. We already see this in the transportation sector with the explosive growth rate of electric vehicles (EVs). The number of EV registrations in Illinois increased by more than 40% in 2021, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data.
But transportation is only the beginning. Heating and cooling of buildings will become more electrified. Manufacturing and other industry will become more electrified. The trend lines are everywhere, and they are all pointing in the direction that we need more electricity, not less.
Why is electrification expanding?
Mostly because of the shift to zero carbon. The climate crisis compels us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that create carbon emissions and air pollution—threats to our economies, our health and our well-being that affect under-resourced communities more than others.
Transitioning to zero-carbon electricity to meet our transportation and heating and cooling needs is generally the most practical and cost-effective way to decarbonize. And it further reduces harmful emissions associated with transporting fossil fuels. In addition, as renewables and other zero-carbon resources continue to grow, electrifying transportation, buildings and industry allows us to maximize the impact of our growing clean energy supply.