As a leading ESG company, Delta has joined the global environmental initiative projects EV100 and ZEV, committing to promoting the transition to low-carbon transportation through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). By doing so, Delta aims to expand green business opportunities and achieve sustainable development. Under these low-carbon initiatives, Delta’s global operations have taken action by installing charging stations and procuring EVs for official use. Moreover, Delta’s successful cases in promoting EVs have been showcased on the international stage, making it an exemplary model for corporate support in the transition to low-carbon transportation.
Carbon reduction pioneer leading participation in the EV100 initiative
EV100 is a global initiative launched by The Climate Group in 2017, with the aim of accelerating the low-carbon transformation of transportation through influential global businesses and government organizations, in line with the United Nations goal of keeping global warming below 2℃. To achieve sustainable operations, all member companies joining the EV100 initiative will make public commitments in the following two areas: transitioning their corporate fleet to electric vehicles and installing sufficient charging infrastructure at their premises to support employees and customers in adopting electric mobility solutions.
Delta announced in 2018 that it would respond to the international electric vehicle initiative EV100 and become the first member to provide electric vehicle energy infrastructure globally. It pledged to widely deploy electric vehicle charging facilities at major operational sites by 2030, providing incentives for employees and customers to use electric vehicles and assisting in the transition to low-carbon transportation to combat climate change.
Global operation takes proactive action in promoting EV100
During the early stages of promoting EV100, Delta encountered some challenges. For example, the increased electricity consumption caused by electric vehicle charging and the instability of power supply due to the sudden surge in fast charging. Fortunately, in recent years, these issues have been effectively alleviated with the deployment of Delta’s energy storage systems in various factories. Additionally, in the past, the limited options for EVs (such as commercial vehicles or mini buses) made it difficult for the company to purchase EVs for official use. However, in recent years, with major car manufacturers entering the EV market and offering a wider range of models and prices, there are now more and better choices for purchasing electric official vehicles.
Under the collaboration of various departments such as administration, procurement, logistics, and the ESG committee, Delta has set up over 230 electric vehicle charging stations in its global operations and production sites, which caters to different charging requirements as of April 2024. Additionally, electric buses have been provided for transportation within the factory premises. By the end of 2023, the proportion of electric vehicle usage for official transportation at Delta’s main operational sites has reached 35%.
The number of Delta Shanghai employees who own EV private cars is the highest among all global sites. As of April 2024, the number of EVs among Shanghai colleagues’ private cars has exceeded 170. To meet such a large-scale charging demand, the company has installed a total of 31 EV chargers in the ground and underground parking lots, providing convenience for employees and visitors to travel in a low-carbon manner.
In addition, the Shanghai Operations Center has installed “Smart Renewable EV Charging Solution” that combines photovoltaics, energy storage, and EV charging. It fully utilizes renewable energy generation and regulates power usage through energy storage systems, supplemented by the DeltaGrid®EVM EV charging management system, using AI to schedule energy and truly implement smart charging.
Delta Americas headquarters, as the first LEED ZERO ENERGY certified zero-carbon building in Delta, not only actively responds to the EV100 initiative by installing 19 EV chargers, but also achieves 100% green electricity supply for the charging stations through self-generated solar photovoltaic power. Ruth Chao, the local general affairs manager, said, “Fremont has the highest per capita EV ownership in the United States. Since the company installed the charging stations and provided free charging services, the usage of EVs by employees has grown exponentially. In a few months, we will also install a Delta-developed charging management software, which will further enhance the charging experience.”
Showcasing best practices in business at the international forum
Delta’s implementation of the EV100 commitment has also received widespread attention and recognition from the industry. In November 2022, Delta was invited to participate in the “2022 Zero Carbon Mission International Climate Summit” to share its successful experience in promoting low-carbon transportation. This was a high-profile event in response to the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focusing on topics such as energy transition, green buildings, and low-carbon transportation.
Mr. Jesse Chou not only introduced Delta’s active participation in international climate conferences and official side meetings since 2007, but also shared about Delta’s efforts in promoting and developing electric vehicle technology. He pointed out that in response to the booming trend of electric vehicles and charging networks worldwide, Delta has integrated its internal expertise in power conversion and management to provide advanced solutions for EV charging and powertrain assembly.
Further steps towards a Zero-Emission ZEV declaration
At COP26 in 2021, the Leadership Group, composed of over 100 countries, companies, and organizations, released the Zero Emission Vehicle Declaration (ZEV Declaration) with the aim of accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Delta actively responded by joining the ZEV Declaration in 2022, striving to achieve a fleet of 100% zero emission cars for sedans and vans by 2030 or earlier. Under this initiative, Delta’s various factories will further expand the scope of EV utilization.
In the case of the Chenzhou plant, Delta purchased an electric cargo vehicle for the company’s transportation needs in 2023. All fuel-powered forklifts were replaced with electric forklifts to reduce environmental pollution. Vehicles that do not meet emission standards are strictly prohibited from entering the company’s transportation. The Dongguan plant also purchased electric tractors to replace short-haul fuel container trucks for short-distance transportation of goods within the plant. The electric tractors traveled approximately 26,200 kilometers in 2023, reducing diesel usage by 11,700 liters and reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 34 tons Note one. Additionally, the purchase of electric commercial vehicles to replace 2 fuel-powered commercial vehicles resulted in a yearly reduction of 2,750 liters of gasoline usage and 6 tons of CO2 emissions
The future looks promising in seizing the green business opportunities of EV
Starting from January 1, 2024, “Mobility” has been officially included as one of the four major business areas of Delta, marking a new layout and expectation in the field of electric vehicles. It is believed that in the near future, Delta will leverage its expertise in power electronics technology and its successful experience in promoting EV100 and ZEV initiatives to contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon era of electric transportation.
