The E8 Network of Expertise for the Global Environment
Electric Transportation
It cannot be denied that pollution of the air and atmosphere coupled with the limited supply of fossil energy resources are serious problems. Another converging problem is the growing demand for transportation which will cause a dramatic increase in traffic in all major urban areas. Therefore, in order to preserve certain limited resources such as energy and space for our next generations, we need to help implement alternative solutions.
In accordance with the necessity to contribute, at an early stage, to the changing habits linked to transportation and to raise the general conscience towards sustainability, the e8 has taken the following first initiatives:
- to increase the share of electric vehicles in their fleets with the available technologies in the different countries;
- to support or initiate worldwide public information and educational campaigns;
- to create a technology watch for electric transportation;
- to discuss the global approach to electric vehicle infrastructures with key parties of transportation systems such as automakers, cities, governmental and non-governmental institutions, etc.
In the global framework of its Sustainable Energy Charter, the e8 Chairmen agreed in May of 1995 at the e7 Summit in Santa Barbara to support electric transportation development, especially electric vehicles, in the world marketplace. As a result, the Electric Transportation Working Group (ETWG) was created to exchange information on electric transportation by correspondence and to meet annually with the world’s auto-makers at EVS conferences, or when other important other events/issues would justify meetings.
At the Bordeaux Sherpa meeting in February 1998, the ETWG was renamed the e8 Electric Transportation Network of Experts (ET Network). It was also agreed to include the participation of ESKOM in selected ET Network activities.
The ET Network actively participated in international conferences and forums such as the World Energy Conferences (WEC) and the Electric Vehicle Summits (EVS). The Group continued to monitor Electric Vehicle research and development until mid-2001.
e8 Priorities
Major global environmental and social issues that affect the electric utility industry are considered to be the top priorities of the e8.
The issues of sustainable development, climate change, social trust, and internationalisation are the focus of the e8's actions.