Thursday, November 21, 2024
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Quentin Willson to speak at Transport + Energy Forum

Motoring broadcaster and transport campaigner Quentin Willson will speak at the Transport + Energy Forum – an event which is taking place on 17th November at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre.

The founder of FairCharge is a member of the Transport + Energy editorial board and joins a stellar lineup which includes representatives from National Grid, Energy Networks Association, National Highways, The Electric Vehicle Network and XPO Logistics.

Quentin, who writes a regular column for the brand, will chair a panel debate and provide an update on the work of FairCharge – a campaign group which is calling on the Government to immediately cut VAT on public charging or risk the roll-out of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network stalling.

The former Top Gear presenter recently warned of “unintended consequences” if the Government fails to cut VAT on public charging.

Quentin Willson said: “FairCharge is delighted to be joining Transport + Energy at its upcoming event in Birmingham. We’ll be there to discuss the threats that face electrification, why the government needs to act on charging costs, the onerous 20% VAT on public chargers and what needs to be done to continue to support EV adoption and the vital role charge point operators (CPOs) have in building the UK’s charging infrastructure.”

Transport + Energy Editorial Director Alec Peachey said: “Quentin joins an already strong lineup of speakers at this year’s Forum event and we look forward to hearing an update on his FairCharge campaign which has the backing of a number of CPOs who recently wrote to Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng calling on him to immediately cut VAT on public charging.

“Quentin is one of the most recognisable TV presenters in this country with a vast knowledge of the automotive sector. For more than a decade Quentin has been a huge advocate for electric vehicles and his background of campaigning speaks for itself. We are absolutely delighted that he will be speaking at our upcoming event and helping to identify what steps need to be taken to decarbonise now.”

The Transport + Energy Forum is being supported by a number of partners including UK Government, Transport Technology Forum, Black Country Transport, EVA England, HGVzero and many more.

Speakers confirmed so far include:

  • Dr Joanna White, Acting Roads Development Divisional Director, National Highways
  • Kester Sleeman, Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Programme Manager, Black Country Transport
  • James Court, CEO, Electric Vehicle Association England 
  • Gill Nowell, Head of EV Communications for LV= General Insurance and ElectriX
  • Dr Nicholas Head, Environmental & Sustainability Lead – UK & Ireland, XPO Logistics
  • Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation, Energy Networks Association
  • Paula Claytonsmith, Director, Government and Strategy at Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) and policy support advisor to DfT’s Transport Technology Forum (TTF)
  • Mark Constable, Head of Business Development, Trojan Energy
  • Graeme Cooper, Head of Future Markets, National Grid
  • Reza Shaybani, Co-Founder & CEO, The EV Network
  • Shayne Rees, Head of Marketing, char.gy

Themes covered in the presentations and debates will include preparing the grid for transport decarbonisation, the role of local authorities in accelerating the transition to clean transport and energy, decarbonising logistics and reducing emissions, and how businesses can make the shift to all-electric fleets. 

With more than two-thirds of emissions from energy production, and a third of all emissions from transport, decarbonising these two sectors will lead the net zero agenda across the world.

The idea behind the inaugural Transport + Energy Forum event is to unite professionals from both industries to help accelerate this transition. 

With the UK reaching record temperatures of over 40C (104F) for the first time this year, it has shown us that the issue of climate change must be taken seriously with urgent action required now. 

Focusing on what and how, the Forum event will set out the breadth of the challenge faced with a real focus on actionable solutions that can be taken now. 

Details of speakers can be found here: https://transportandenergy.com/te-forum-event-speakers/

For more information about the event visit: https://transportandenergy.com/te-forum-event/

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