EV drivers heading to COP26 to call for faster move to electric vehicles
The Electric Vehicle Drivers’ Associations (EVDA) will be heading to the COP26 Summit to support the call for transport decarbonisation fuelled by renewable energy.
Representatives of the EVDA from a range of European countries will be heading to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow next month to call for all new cars and light duty vans sold in the 28 countries represented in the Global EV Drivers’ Alliance (GEVA) to have a plug by 2030, and to be fully zero emission by 2035 at the latest.
To take this message to COP26, EV drivers from Europe and the UK 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.
They will then be hosted by myenergi in Grimsby where they will be able to see some of the latest EV charging and zero carbon home energy solutions. The route will take in the site where construction is currently starting of 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 EV drivers will then head to COP26 in Glasgow in order to support the call for much faster transport decarbonisation globally; Increase the public’s awareness of the benefits of EVs for the environment and health, reducing carbon emissions and helping to improve air quality; and to promote the voice of EV driver associations globally working with GEVA.
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.”
Neil Swanson, director of the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland, also commented: “EVA Scotland looks forward to welcoming delegates and drivers to COP26, which presents a unique opportunity to increase the uptake of electric vehicles globally.”
