9 June 2021
Alliance members calling for all light-duty vehicles to be electric by 2030
Thirty-seven electric vehicle (EV) driver associations have joined forces to create the Global EV Drivers’ Alliance, representing the voice of EV drivers around the globe in leading the shift to clean electric transportation. The grassroots, non-profit organization collects best practices, inspiration and information from EV driver associations and their members to help, inform and inspire each other to accelerate electric mobility in their own regions/countries and worldwide. This video has been released worldwide to promote awareness of the Alliance.
The members of the Alliance are calling for every new car and light-duty truck sold in their countries to have a plug by the end of this decade. A shift to electric transportation is essential to quickly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, avoiding dangerous climate change, improving local air quality and reducing respiratory diseases in cities around the world. With the rapid improvements in EV technology and the new vehicles coming into the market over the coming months, it is entirely achievable.
A rapid shift to electric transportation can be achieved through supportive policies in the respective countries. For example, the market share for plug-in vehicles in Germany grew from 3% in 2019 to 13.5% in 2020 and the UK market went from 3.2% to 10.7% in the same period. By working together, EV driver associations can share best practices and strategies, ensuring that EV drivers’ voices are heard in EV policy discussions worldwide.
In addition to the climate change and air quality benefits, electric vehicles provide many additional benefits to consumers, including the savings and convenience of fueling with electricity instead of gasoline, sharply reduced maintenance and the smooth and powerful driving experience provided by an electric motor.
One of the first joint activities of the Global EV Drivers’ Alliance will be participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, which will be held in Glasgow in November 2021. In connection with the event, associations connected with GEVA plan to organise events in their own countries and to organise a rally in Scotland to promote electromobility as an important element in addressing climate change.
The global shift to electric vehicles is increasing exponentially, with more than 3.24 million EVs sold worldwide in 2020, compared with 2.26 million in 2019, despite the COVID pandemic and accompanying economic downturn.
Alan Cooklin, founding member of EVA England, said:
“Carbon emissions from transport are a major contributor to climate change and an area in which we can and should take action. EVA England sees the electrification of transport as acutely important in the lead up to the UK hosting COP26 in the autumn.
“EV drivers’ associations play a vital role in supporting both current and prospective drivers of EVs. As we have seen in many cases throughout the world, they also play a crucial part in effecting change and accelerating the switch to electric vehicles powered by clean energy sources.
“EVA England is thrilled to be amongst the founding members of the Global EV Alliance. We look forward to sharing best practices with countries around the globe and working with our sister organisations to speed up the switch to EVs, promoting the health and environmental benefits that EVs afford, and ensuring the drivers’ voice is heard in policy decisions.”
The Global EV Alliance represents organisations from the countries of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain (Catalonia). Croatia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States. For more information, visit globalevalliance.com.
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About the Global EV Alliance
The Global EV Alliance is a network of national electric vehicle drivers’ associations from around the globe. We facilitate global collaboration on best practices, education, and other EV-related initiatives. We believe that zero-emission mobility is necessary to combat climate change. Our goal is a planet where all transportation is sustainable, clean, and electric! globalevalliance.com
About EVA England
Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England was established in June 2020 to offer a voice, services and representation to current and prospective electric vehicle drivers in England. EVA England is a non-profit community interest company registered in England and Wales, founded by passionate drivers inspired by the benefits of electric driving and concerned by the health and climate impacts of the use of petrol and diesel cars and vans.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Gill Nowell, EVA England Board Member and Media Liaison
Email: gill.nowell@evaengland.org.uk