World EV Day looks to #DriveChange and conversation globally

Delayed due to the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the annual event falls on Thursday 29th September, and aims to encourage more people to ditch petrol and diesel. 

Thursday 29th September is World EV Day, an annual celebration of electric vehicles (EVs), and their role in the march towards a lower emissions future and carbon net zero. Already having been mentioned in UK Parliament sessions and the White House, campaigners reached a global audience of more than 1bn people in 2020 and 2021, and are looking to expand that reach. 

So how exactly does it work? Well, working alongside partners, the movement looks to harness media and social media channels to increase the visibility of information related to EVs – their benefits, in terms of economics and the environment, and any campaigns that are offering opportunities to try what switching from petrol and diesel engines can really offer. In 2022, AutoTrader, Renault Trucks, LeasePlan, Shell Recharge, Monta, Paua, Osborne Clarke, Parker Lord, Electric Zoo, DPD, EAV, Everrati, MyEnergi, Bramble Energy, and Zeti are all involved. 

In addition to corporate activity, World EV Day also wants drivers to meet other electric users at special events, and has even compiled its own social kit to help with this. Any participants are invited to share their experiences on social channels using the hashtags #WEVD2022 and #DriveChange, helping continue the conversation on a more global level. 

The event comes towards the end of a significant month in emissions terms. Nottingham has just been ranked as the UK’s leading core city for carbon reduction, with its output falling by 57% in the past 15 years. Bristol’s electric van loan scheme has now been expanded to taxis, while Germany’s government is facing legal action as a result of its failure to control air pollution.