EV drivers call for accelerated uptake

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers call for an accelerated global uptake. 

European representatives from the Electric Vehicle Drivers Association are calling on more countries to support the decarbonisation of transport ahead of COP26. 

Transportation accounts for 24% of direct CO2 emissions from fuel combustion globally, of which road vehicles account for nearly 75%.

The association is therefore calling for all new cars and light-duty vans in the 28 countries represented by the alliance to have a plug by 2030 and to be fully zero-emission by 2035 at the latest. 

To take this message to COP26, the drivers will be participating in the ‘Electric Road to COP26’, starting their journey in England by charging up with 100% renewable electricity at the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt in Essex.

The route will take in the site where construction is currently starting at the Britishvolt EV battery gigafactory in Northumberland, before experiencing Scottish EV charging at Forth Valley College in Falkirk – ending up in Glasgow itself at the Arnold Clark Innovation Centre.

The Electric Road to COP26 is being organised by EVA England, EVA Scotland, GEVA and Local EV Groups (NEXUS). Octopus Electric Vehicles is providing EVs for driving opportunities at some of the locations on the route. Planet Mark’s Zero Carbon Tour Bus will join the Electric Road in Glasgow.

Joel Levin, Global EV Alliance (GEVA) chair, said: ‘A shift to electric transport is essential to quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dangerous climate change, improve local air quality and people’s health in cities around the world. With the rapid improvements in EV technology and the new cars and vans coming into the market, it is entirely achievable.’

Ade Adepitan MBE, EVA England Honorary Member added: ‘In my recent travels and when reporting on climate change, I’ve seen the growth of electric bikes, three-wheelers, cars, buses and vans around the world, and the opportunity to do much more. I call for COP26 to speed up the move to electric transport.’