14 January 2025
The dedicated EV drivers’ association EVA England is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Vicky Edmonds as its new CEO from today, Tuesday 14 January 2025.
Vicky brings with her a deep understanding of the electric vehicle (EV) landscape and EV policy, having been at the forefront of Government net zero and transport policy for nearly two decades. This includes three years as the Head of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (now OZEV), where she led the Government’s development of its 2030 phase out policy formalising a cut-off date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Other headline projects Vicky has led on include the £950m Rapid Charging Fund and the Local EV Infrastructure Fund, which are currently driving the expansion of essential national charging infrastructure.
Vicky Edmonds says:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of EVA England’s Chief Executive Officer. As an EV driver for 6 years now, I have first-hand experience of the many opportunities these cars bring – not least the ease with which they fit into a busy family life – and have long been a passionate promoter of the role they can play in reducing our transport emissions.
“The EV sector is at a critical point. Sales of EVs and installation of chargepoints are increasing at ever higher rates, yet coverage of EVs can at times be confusing and damaging. An independent voice for EV drivers has never been more important. And as the champion for that voice, EVA England delivers the powerful message that these cars can and do work for the consumer. We have a key role to play in helping drivers overcome perceived barriers to EV uptake – namely cost, fair and easy access to charging, and miscommunication. I look forward to working with our members and partners in delivering that mission.”
Warren Philips, Chair of EVA England, says:
“The extensive experience Vicky Edmonds brings to this role is a testament to how our association has evolved into a trusted and independent voice for EV drivers across the country.
“We are profoundly grateful to Vicky for dedicating the next chapter of her highly successful career to ensuring that all aspects of the EV sector, from charging infrastructure to the cost of ownership, truly meet and respond to drivers’ real-world priorities.”
Most importantly, Vicky is a passionate EV driver. She bought her first EV six years ago and currently owns two quite different electric cars, the BMW i3 and Polestar 2, offering her a range of perspectives as EV options rapidly diversify in the UK to cater for different needs. Her personal insights as an EV driver have directly fed into her work driving national EV policy. Additionally, Vicky personally worked on key pieces of EV legislation, including the 2018 Automated Electric Vehicles Act providing the foundation for much of the UK’s existing EV chargepoint regulation. She also spent time as a policy advisor to the Energy Systems Catapult, integrating the rollout of EVs into its wider work on decarbonising the energy system.
At a key point in the EV transition – 2024 saw EVs constitute nearly 1 in 5 new car sales – EVA England is taking its next step as the voice for EV drivers in England with Vicky at the helm. In the context of the currently ongoing Government consultation on the ZEV Mandate, incentivising manufacturers to fully switch in time for the 2030 phase out date for petrol and diesel cars, Vicky and EVA England will hold a series of Town Hall meetings and workshops over the coming weeks, aimed at capturing drivers’ perceptions on the priorities for the sector and how EV policy meets and matches up to their needs.
The first Town Hall will take place on Wednesday 29th January, where Vicky will outline her own vision for the Association and her perspectives on the wider sector, and will be joined by a representative from OZEV who will answer EVA England’s members’ questions.