It is time us motorists give back to nature

More than 100 years ago in 1908, a revolution started that would change the face of the Earth. It was the year that Ford’s Model T started rolling out of the factory and into the hands of the mass middle classes. Since this moment, the automobile has come to dominate every part of our lives.

From shopping trips to the school run and everything in between, the car holds a special place in our lives. It has shaped how we build our towns, trade with one another and even helped win wars. 

And they’re not just functional, we idolise cars too. We love to talk about them, watch them and play with them. From supercars, V8 beasts, classic Jags to a turbo hatchback. They come in all shapes and sizes with endless possibilities.

The environmental cost

However, the simple truth is, in the short time humans have enjoyed motoring, we’ve seriously damaged the environment. Globally, transport now accounts for around a quarter of all CO2 emissions. There have been other knock-on effects too.

Because cars are used so frequently and frivolously - it’s estimated 60% of 1 to 2-mile journeys are taken by car in England - we have made our air dirtier. This contributes to the deaths of up to 36,000 people each year from air pollution.

And, likewise, as motoring has spread to a multitude of other uses, such as logistics and agriculture, we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s. They are now the rarest habitat in the UK. What this means is pollinators, like bees, and other insects critical to food chains are dying out at a rate of 2.5% each year.

But there is some good news

But, the good news is there is now a way the UK’s 32 million motorists can pay nature back. It begins by switching to an electric car.

Over their lifetime, an EV contributes dramatically less emissions than even the most efficient petrol or diesel vehicle. They also emit no fumes, meaning driving them can ensure we have cleaner air flowing through our streets and into our lungs.

And that’s not all. EV owners have the power to easily spread help for mother nature, such as getting home charging points powered by 100% renewable energy. Soon electric motorists will even be able to power the national grid itself, saving wasted emissions elsewhere.

From today there is another way EV drivers can give back to nature. By registering your chargepoint on Bookmycharge.com before 30 June, not only will you help more people to go green, but you will also guarantee 9 square metres of land is rewilded.

Rewilding is a simple but brilliant way to give nature a second chance. Bookmycharge has partnered with Heal Rewilding to sponsor a 3m by 3m square of land for every new chargepoint registered on its platform.

Heal is a national charity that raises money to rewild lowland areas in England, to restore them to their natural state, improving biodiversity and increasing natural abundance.

As motorists, we’ve had more than 100 years of carefree fun in the driving seat, now it’s time we bring nature along for the ride. Sign up today!