Following the Government’s recent announcement to tighten climate change targets, experts from across the North West will gather to discuss the role electric vehicles can play in reaching net zero.
Electricity North West, the region’s power network operator, is hosting its specialist ‘Electric Vehicles Explained’ event in May, aimed at helping businesses understand how they can prepare for, and adopt, electric vehicles.
The event, which will see speakers from Electricity North West, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and Drax share their expertise, insight and guidance, comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he will toughen the UK’s targets on greenhouse emissions.
Now, the UK has committed to reduce national emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 compared to levels in 1990. Not only that, Electricity North West is also playing a crucial role in the North West to help the region meet its own local targets in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Given the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is set to be banned by 2030 and for new plug in hybrids by 2035, Electricity North West is predicting the North West could have up to a million electric cars and vans on its roads by 2030.
Peter Emery, chief executive officer at Electricity North West, said: “We’re entering a crucial period in the North West as efforts are really ramping up to ensure net zero targets are met.
“We’re expecting a revolution throughout the region in how we get travel, with up to a million electric vehicles on our roads by the end of the decade.
“This is a huge transition and it’s important for businesses to understand the challenges and opportunities electric vehicles present so they can encourage and support their own employees and customers to start changing behaviours and decision-making around transport choices’.
“We’re here to help and our event is just a start on the amount of advice and assistance we can provide.”
To help lead the North West’s transition to net zero, Electricity North West has set out a draft plan to invest almost £2bn before 2028 in the region’s electricity infrastructure.
Electricity North West’s online ‘Electric Vehicles Explained’ event takes place on Thursday May 13th at 11am.
The event, aimed at businesses, will set out the high-level strategy and include practical tips and signposting to further resources.
To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/electric-vehicles-explained-tickets-148354665799.
Electricity North West is also sponsoring Elevate’s Sustainability event. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elevate-exchange-sustainability-tickets-148762981081/.
