Accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles within the next few decades is a major undertaking that cannot be accomplished alone. It will require the collective action of initiatives and organizations from all levels of society to achieve this ambitious goal.
The Accelerating to Zero Coalition is one such initiative that serves this role by connecting diverse stakeholders under one banner, the Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Declaration, to phase-out internal combustion engines by 2040 globally. This movement must continue to grow, and in an effort to reach partners in new and expanding markets, the Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) Coalition continues to cultivate a growing network of partners poised to advocate on-the-ground for the ZEV Declaration.
As the latest signatory to the Declaration, the Electric Mission is eager to support the work of the A2Z Coalition and expand outreach efforts across the African continent by leveraging its vast on the ground experience. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, this not-for-profit organization was founded towards empowering the mobility and energy transition.
Through a network of partners, the organization envisions an African continent with environment friendly and equitable transport and energy systems, whilst fostering a just transition towards this destination. They specialize in impact project delivery, innovation support, and market development and bring with them an established leadership network within Africa to advance their cause.
The Electric Mission carries a shared vision to the ZEV Declaration: reach the goals of the Paris Agreement through decarbonization, energy efficiency, and economic growth. Hiten Parmar, Executive Director of the organization, says that the landscape of international platforms “creates the opportunity for collaboration between like-minded organizations across the world to influence policy and support development of markets for the ZEV transition, whilst also bringing learnt lessons from more developed markets.”
Yet this expansion to new markets does not come without challenges. It’s imperative that Africa does not become the dumping ground for high polluting fossil fuel vehicles as the rest of the world advances to zero emission vehicles. In addition, transitioning new markets will require sufficient financial resources to support in-country activities.
Together, the Electric Mission and A2Z Coalition can break new ground and connect stakeholders to the resources and implementation support needed to continue this electric transition.
Cover Image: Hiten Parmar meets with Minister Nzimande and a delegation from the South African Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
