Drive Electric chair to retire December 31

Drive Electric chair Mark Gilbert will step down from the EV advocacy group on December 31.

Gilbert says he realised while preparing for his 11th Drive Electric annual general meeting that he had been with the organisation 12 years and believes it’s the right time to hand over to “some younger and very capable board members”.

Drive Electric has been a real success story, he says.

“We have been about mainstreaming EVs and e-mobility and this has come a long way.

“Less than 50 cars when we started, and now edging close to 90,000 EVs on NZ roads with more to come.”

Gilbert says Drive Electric has helped grow the market, helped members and Government – “both the red and blue teams” – to create support programmes to advance EV uptake.

Drive Electric has also been helping develop plans for EV infrastructure “as we are woefully short of charging stations around the country”.

Gilbert was appointed by former transport minister Simon Bridges to his EV Leadership Group when National was last in power – mainly in recognition of Drive Electric’s work.

Former Labour transport minister Michael Wood appointed Gilbert chair of the Clean Car Sector Leadership Group he established to help translate the needs of all sectors feeling the EV disruption.

“We have also grown our membership base, and if you had said 10 years ago we would have companies paying us $25,000 membership fees I would have said ‘you’re joking’,” says Gilbert.

“But this value can be attributed to the great advocacy work and strategic approach that Drive Electric is making.

“James Walker joined us a few years ago, and this has helped us to lobby more effectively and develop stronger government relationships, whether agreeing or disagreeing with subject matter.”

Gilbert says he’ll continue with his current directorships “that I do enjoy”.

“They are both demanding and exciting, and especially now that the Cabinet has gazetted the Tyrewise Product Stewardship programme.

“I expect this will demand more time in the coming months and years,” says Gilbert, adding he will remain close to the EV sector, especially as he’s also an independent director at New Zealand residential and commercial smart EV charging equipment manufacturer and installer Evnex.

Gilbert says he’s learned the United Kingdom is pushing out its fossil fuel ban five years to 2035.

“It’s a pity and I’m sure many of the OEMs will be annoyed as most have pivoted to electric and are winding out of fossil fuel cars.

“But the die is cast and we can expect to see electricity becoming more prevalent in all forms of transport – light vehicles, heavy vehicles, rail, ferry and aviation.”

Gilbert says it’s been a privilege to play a role in bringing about transport electrification.

“I have met some wonderful people along the way, and really wish to thank the media for listening to my versions of what is or will happen and for trusting my views.”