When Soichiro and Hideaki Fukutake founded Drive Electric in 2011 there were fewer than 50 EVs on our roads. However, they could see the need for an industry body to help accelerate e-mobility. Drive Electric’s inaugural State of the Nation Report, which was released in 2023, outlines the significant growth within the electric car and micro-mobility areas and the emerging heavy, commercial, marine and aviation sectors. The report also highlighted the financial, environmental and social opportunities if we can electrify transport. Doing this will also give the country the best opportunity to reduce our carbon emissions and meet our Paris Agreement targets.

Now, in 2024, we have more than 100,000 EVs on our roads, with 2% of our fleet being electric, so we have made a good start. A key focus for Drive Electric is ensuring there is the right infrastructure settings and access for EV growth as well as working with the Government to ensure we have the right policy framework. There is certainly a lot of work to be done in both of these areas!

Effective decarbonisation of our transport sector will only be achieved through collaboration. Drive Electric will continue its work within the business sector and Government while also working closely with other industry groups to champion change.

Thank you for your membership and support. We look forward to working with you.

Kirsten Corson

Chair, Drive Electric