New energy technology company BYD has thrown its weight behind the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to promote electric mobility in emerging countries. The initiative is the basis of the agreement signed between the Shenzhen based company and the UNEP in Beijing.
Under the plan known as the Global New Partnership on Air Quality and Electric Mobility, BYD will partner with the UNEP to support a widespread adoption of electric vehicles including buses, 2 and 3 wheelers and light duty vehicles. Several countries will be chosen to trial the roll out and international resources will be mobilized to provide knowledge and technical support.
“We have consistently advocated for cleaner transport options over the years, creating alternatives in the private, public and industrial sector,” said Sherry Li, General Manager of BYD Branding & PR Division. “I am proud to say that tens of thousands of our new energy vehicles are operating in many cities around the world – from electric buses in London to electric taxis in Ecuador.”
According to the UNEP, the world’s transport sector is responsible for approximately one quarter of all energy related carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. While many countries have measures in place to improve their living environment, the momentum has moved up a notch in recent months with France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom separately announcing measures to curb the sale of fossil fuel vehicles.
“BYD has sophisticated solutions in the field of new energy especially electric mobility. We are honored to partner with BYD and promote its initiatives such as SkyRail,” said Erik Solheim, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP. “We hope to take BYD SkyRail to many cities around the world as it is a solution to traffic congestion.”
In 2015 and 2016 BYD was the top global performer in new energy vehicle sales. At present, BYD’s electric vehicles have a footprint in more than 200 cities across 50 countries and regions. It was also one of 51 companies mentioned in Fortune’s Change the World list.