World EV Day calls for advances in e-mobility

Today (9 September) marks the fifth anniversary of World EV Day, which aims to reshape the conversation around sustainable mobility.

On the fifth anniversary of World EV Day, Ade Thomas, founder of the sustainable transport campaign, reflects on the journey that transformed a simple idea into a global movement. 

This year’s theme, “Let’s drive change, together”, emphasises the collective effort needed to advance e-mobility. 

At a time of wavering policies, World EV Day faces the challenge of educating and inspiring early mainstream adoption. 

The day looks to unite companies, individuals, policy makers and thought leaders for a day of activations, EV meet-ups, and significant announcWprld ements that further accelerate the global transition.

World EV Day was founded by Ade Thomas in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Thomas launched a day dedicated to driving the shift to EVs and sustainable mobility. The campaign involved governments, NGOs, EV makers, and charging companies to discuss how to create a greener future, emphasising engagement and education.
 
"Launching World EV DayTM was an ambitious task," Thomas recalled. 

"Turning a simple idea into a global movement required a huge effort, but the response was overwhelming. Early support from major international partners like ABB played a crucial role in gaining momentum, and now with the support of our Headline Partner, Auto Trader, amongst others, we’ve been able to reach a massive audience over the past few years."

Initially conceived as a digital marketing initiative, World EV Day gained traction globally.

"The energy on the day itself each year is palpable. Witnessing such widespread engagement across the globe is a clear indication that we have made a real impact. We have successfully moved the needle on public engagement around sustainable mobility," Thomas added.

Thomas also revealed a campaign for next year, "World EV Day on Tour", which will feature a rolling EV rally, designed to engage mainstream audiences across various territories.

As well as this, World EV Day is set to launch a community-generated EV Meet-Ups map, in partnership with a major global tech platform. The tool will enable EV drivers to connect with each other at various locations, including charging hubs, dealerships, retailers, and across neighbourhoods for those with domestic chargers.