BT and E.ON among new EV100 members

The likes of BT and E.ON have signed up to The Climate Group's EV100 programme which aims to make electric transport "the new normal" by 2030.


BT, which has a fleet of around 34,000 vehicles, aims to convert its vehicles to EVs where it is the “best technical and economic solution”. Through its commitment, E.ON will look to switch its entire fleet to electric and install charging stations across 100 office sites.

Commenting on the news, Andy Wales, chief digital impact and sustainability officer, BT Group, highlighted the firm’s ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“Joining EV100 is an important step to help achieve that goal,” he said. “We recognise that we are dependent on the right vehicles and charging infrastructure becoming available at scale and being part of the EV100 movement helps drive that change.”

‘Getting on with it’

The list of new EV100 members also includes logistics company Schenker AG, Canadian firm Ontario Power Generation and New Zealand’s Genesis Energy.

In light of these commitments, The Climate Group is calling on national governments to catch up businesses in rolling out zero-emission vehicles across Europe, North America and New Zealand. It cites the US Administration’s reluctance to provide EV subsidies and Germany’s off-track target of million EVs on the road by 2020 as evidence of policy inertia in the area of electric transport.  

“Forward-thinking companies are forging ahead on EVs to demonstrate leadership, reduce their emissions, and ready their business operations for a low-carbon economy,” The Climate Group’s chief executive Helen Clarkson said.

“Despite uncertain times internationally the economic opportunities are vast, and business is simply getting on with it.

“These ambitious commitments will help to tackle air pollution in our towns and cities and channel investment into smarter energy infrastructure. Every major company – and government – should be switching to electric transport.”

The pledges arrive just days after Volkswagen (VW) announced it will not launch any new car models with a traditional petrol or diesel combustion engine after 2026.

Electromobility is a current focus of the COP24 climate negotiations in Poland, where last week more than 40 countries signed a declaration championing EV100 and calling for increased private and public sector collaboration in accelerating the transition.

George Ogleby

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