New electric vehicle events announced to support zero emission future
In a move designed to engage and raise awareness amongst the public and Local Authorities across the UK on the opportunities an electric vehicle future offers, electrica.live has announced a series of innovative events that will support the work industry and the government is doing to transition to zero emission vehicles, and help build a green recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The events planned by electrica.live, so far confirmed in Milton Keynes and the South Wales area in partnership with Milton Keynes Council and the Cardiff Capital Region respectively, will help support the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles through three key initiatives. These include, a Roadshow & Schools Outreach Programme that will travel through the region where the event is centred; a Conference & Seminar allowing experts in their field to educate and engage on the potential an EV future possesses and how we get there and finally, an Exhibition & Show highlighting the impact that electric power will have on our life-style and education alongside the latest range of automotive and leisure products, together with the sector’s broad range of infrastructure and services.
electrica.live has been created to instigate debate around what the EV future looks like and how to achieve it. Organisers have engaged with industry and government, including the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to ensure the organisation’s new consumer-facing events around the country are focused on the key challenges and opportunities on EVs and charging infrastructure, services and the potential of e-leisure.
Ensuring every aspect of EV development is discussed is key to the events and they will therefore include discussions on:
- what needs to happen in terms of green energy production to meet the new EV demands
- infrastructure development and what needs to change to incorporate roadside fast charging, street charging, and workplace and retail park charging
- town and city planning; exploring expanded and integrated cycle lanes for e-commuting as well as home charging
- how municipal authorities will be embarking on new clean energy solutions to the daily service industries that the public relies upon
- how commuting and travel will be transformed
- the exciting world of e-leisure and the life-style changes and opportunities that it brings
- the growth of e-motorsports from two wheels to four, from scooter racing to drone racing
- the rapid growth potential of the marine and aeronautical/aerospace sectors
This is a new and exciting area, seeing huge rapid change. Government is currently reviewing responses following consulting on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. Through OLEV, government is also investing around £2.5bn with grants available for plug in cars, vans, lorries, buses, taxis and motorcycles, as well as funding to support charge point infrastructure at homes, workplaces, on residential streets and across the wider roads network. The joint government and automotive industry Go Ultra Low Campaign continues to work to inform drivers about the benefits of zero and ultra low emission vehicles and to dispel widespread myths.
electrica.live’s organisers have worked to ensure their programme of innovative events complement the work and objectives of government, and help bring the EV experience to the public – which is a crucial part of supporting the transition to mass market zero emission road travel.
Commenting on what the events offer, Martin Whitaker, electrica.live Chair and former Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit and Head of Ford Europe’s Motorsport programme says: “To move to mass market uptake, building trust and familiarity with these vehicles and solutions is key. In addition to showcasing the economic benefits, our events allow people to learn and overcome any remaining fears or uncertainties they may have.
“We have carefully planned our events to help accelerate the electric future by analysing and discussing the barriers that need to be overcome, what changes need to be made within society to reach our goals and how we change perceptions. It is crucial the public is included and brought along with this debate, as its understanding and confidence in all things EV is crucial if the exciting future is to be realised.”