Drive Electric is on a mission to bring eco-friendly transportation to the forefront worldwide, and they’re really making things happen. Their latest move? Teaming up with seven new partners through the LEAP Fund to push forward electric mobility and climate-friendly actions on a global scale.
With a strong determination to tackle carbon emissions and encourage eco-friendly transportation options, Drive Electric is taking a big step forward. They’re expanding their LEAP Fund and teaming up with seven new partners who share their vision. A significant sum of $1.05 million in grants has been earmarked to support electric mobility projects in Africa and Latin America. These exciting initiatives cover a wide range of places, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and other parts of Latin America.
Since its inception in 2022, Drive Electric has been leading the charge in pushing for greener transportation choices, all the while taking on the challenge of reducing the influence of carbon-emitting vehicles. Injecting an extra $1.05 million into seven new projects across Africa and Latin America is a major step forward for the organisation. This move highlights their continued commitment to making electric mobility solutions a reality in these rapidly growing markets.
The LEAP Fund, an integral facet of Drive Electric’s operations, represents the Leapfrogging to E-mobility Acceleration Partnership. Through this initiative, Drive Electric aims to spearhead the transformation of transportation systems by prioritising clean and sustainable options across the globe.
In 2022, the multinational philanthropic campaign funded ten electric mobility initiatives. The year’s recipients of the LEAP Fund grants encompass a diverse range of projects, each contributing to the overarching mission of promoting electric mobility and climate action:
- Clean Air Africa: Initiating infrastructural developments for e-mobility in East Africa.
- Costa Rican Association of Electric Mobility (ASOMOVE): Advocating for policy changes to facilitate the adoption of zero-emission taxis and larger vehicles.
- Corporación para el Desarrollo: Implementing a pilot project focused on 2/3-wheelers in rural Colombia.
- Latin American Association for Sustainable Mobility (ALAMOS): Encouraging the widespread transition to fully electric vehicles in Latin America.
- The Electric Mission: Establishing a central hub for stakeholders in zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in South Africa.
- World Resources Institute (WRI) Brazil: Championing eco-friendly freight transportation solutions.
- Zambian Electric Mobility Innovation Alliance (ZEMIA): Driving the adoption of zero-emission public transportation in Zambia.
Silvia Rojas, who leads ASOMOVE in Costa Rica, underscores the growing demand for electric vehicles, stating, “In our nation, 11% of new vehicle sales are electric. Backing from the LEAP Fund will enhance our advocacy for greener transportation policies.”
While leading economies like China, Europe, and the U.S. experience a surge in electric vehicle sales, regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia are poised for a significant increase in vehicle demand due to projected population growth. This juncture presents a crucial opportunity to invest in these regions and drive the e-mobility revolution.
When Drive Electric initially kicked off the LEAP Fund, they started with a promise of $1 million to cover a year. Drive Electric’s LEAP Fund has impressively grown to $3 million, spanning the years 2022 to 2024. The latest round of funding has empowered seven entities to make meaningful strides toward sustainable transportation solutions.
