New global electric vehicle initiative launched

A new business campaign designed to fast-track the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) and infrastructure has been launched by The Climate Group, a non-profit organisation that works with business and government to promote clean technologies and policies.

Baidu, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Heathrow Airport, HP Inc., IKEA Group, LeasePlan, METRO AG, PG&E, Unilever, Vattenfall are the first 10 members of EV100, an initiative to encourage global business commitments on electric transport, with members swapping their diesel/petrol vehicle fleets to electric fleets and/or installing electric battery charging infrastructure by 2030.

“We want to make electric transport the new normal,” said Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group. “There are two fundamental problems to be addressed. Transport is still the fastest growing area of carbon emissions, as the shift to electric vehicles is not happening fast enough; and mass system change, even with government intervention, needs much greater customer demand.”

Together, EV100 members will send a signal that there is mass demand for electric vehicles by 2030 or before, ahead of current forecasts for global uptake. By setting out their future EV purchasing requirements, the purchasers can drive mass roll-out, reduce costs, and make electric cars more affordable.

EV100 will use companies’ collective buying power, and influence on employees and customers, to build demand and cut costs. The members recognise the business logic in leading a faster transition and addressing local air quality issues in their markets. As well as helping deliver on sustainability goals, it will generate long-term savings while increasing competitiveness.

Deutsche Post DHL Group and the Swedish power company Vattenfall are signing up to EV100 to build upon their electro-mobility targets. Vattenfall is working to transition its corporate fleet to EVs over the next five years while Deutsche Post DHL Group has invested in its own vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter to supply specialised postal vans for its operations.

“Replacing our whole 3,500 car fleet with electric vehicles in the coming five years, working with our customers to deploy charging infrastructure, and building northern Europe’s biggest connected charging network, are three examples of actions we are taking to promote a sustainable and climate smarter living for customers and citizens,” said Magnus Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Vattenfall.