South Wales at the heart of electric vehicle discussions

A major event that will put South Wales at the heart of UK electric vehicle (EV) and supporting infrastructure, services and leisure discussions, is planned for the region, thanks to a new partnership between Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and electrica.live, an organisation created to instigate debate around what the EV future looks like and how to achieve it.

Cardiff Town Centre
Cardiff Castle (Image courtesy of Greg Montani/Pixabay)

A major focus of the event, that will be held annually and encompass all of South Wales, is for businesses involved in the future of electric transportation to engage directly with consumers as well as Local Authority leaders and Welsh Government, thereby helping devise strategy and opportunities for South Wales to be a leader in the EV and electric revolution.

The event will encompass four key components; a Roadshow & School Outreach Programme that will travel through the ten Local Authorities that make up the CCR; Conference & Seminars allowing experts in their field to educate and engage on the potential an EV future possesses and how we get there; EV Performance Trial & Tour of South Wales to test the latest EVs in real world conditions and demonstrate to the public the range, accessibility and reliability of the product; an Exhibition & Show highlighting the latest automotive products as well as the impact that electric power will have on our life-style and education.

The event is set against the backdrop of the Welsh Government’s Climate Emergency Declaration, the need to meet clean air targets in Welsh towns and cities and the ever-changing social mobility agenda but is not simply focused on private cars. All aspects of EV mobility will be discussed and equal focus will be given to bikes and scooters, taxis, buses and fleets of vehicles, last mile delivery, and the aviation and marine sectors.

Commenting on the new partnership and proposed event, Cardiff Capital Region Director, Kellie Beirne says: “Cardiff Capital Region is very excited by the potential that exists within this event and what it could bring to South Wales in terms of developing new investment opportunities focused on EV, electric transportation, and what electric power brings to our world.

“We are determined to ensure South Wales is at the heart of technological advance, particularly within the engineering and automotive sphere and this event also reinforces the work we will be undertaking in Merthyr with the newly awarded £1.3m we received from Welsh Government, to assist with the delivery of electric vehicle infrastructure for public use, taxis, buses and transport hubs throughout the region.

“We are looking forward to working closely with electrica.live to ensure the region capitalises on the great opportunity to be part of the electric future.”

The planned event will not only include the latest EV technology, but importantly, with partners who are experts in their field, discuss what the electric future looks like and the barriers that need to be overcome to get there. Discussions will include:

  • 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

Commenting on the opportunity, Chris Bibb, electrica.live Director says: “Our aim is to provide a platform to inform the public, business leaders and politicians on what the EV future looks like and we think South Wales has huge potential to be a part of this future.

“We hope to 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 achieved.

“Over the coming months and years, electrica.live will be engaging directly with the public, business community and political world across the UK and Europe to help achieve the EV goal.”.