Drive Electric new chair and deputy appointed

Kirsten Corson has been appointed Drive Electric chair while Eric Pellicer is the deputy chair.

The e-mobility advocacy group says Corson, who was previously deputy chair, will succeed outgoing chair Mark Gilbert who retires from Drive Electric on December 31 this year after 11 years on its board.

Gilbert announced his retirement earlier.

Corson has a long-standing commitment to mobility electrification, co-founding electric car sharing company Zilch, Carbn Asset Management and Sustainable Fleet Finance.

She was Carbn Group Holdings chair and is Zilch executive director and Totara Hospice chair.

Pellicer is PowerCo business development general manager.

Gilbert says he’s delighted Drive Electric’s board has unanimously approved the appointments.

“Since joining the board, Kirsten has brought a real drive to our mission to accelerate e-mobility,” he says.

“I admire her passion for electrification and her ability to get things done.

“The board is in excellent hands with Kirsten’s experience, commercial nous, and dedication.”

Gilbert says Corsen will be ably supported by Pellicer.

“He has been on the Drive Electric board since 2016,” says Gilbert, adding Pellicer has overseen Drive Electric’s policy and strategy areas, and has demonstrated a real commitment to its mission.

“Eric’s strategic mind and energy sector experience have added real value to the board.

“Congratulations to them both and I wish them all the best.”

Corson says it’s a privilege to take on the chair role from Mark Gilbert.

“Mark’s foresight and leadership has been truly valued by the membership and industry,” she adds.

“When it comes to electrification, New Zealand has achieved so much in a short space of time as we’ve shown in our State of the Nation report, but now is the time to accelerate momentum.

‘New Zealand stands to gain so much by electrifying mobility. This will drive down household energy bills, end our reliance on imported fossil fuels, and contribute massively to our efforts on climate change.”

Corson says her first priority as Drive Electric chair will be working with the incoming government.

“We need to keep incentivising people to get into electric cars, because ultimately this will save us all money,” she explains.

“We also need a charging network that underpins this technology – in homes, workplaces and throughout our towns and cities.

“These are two immediate priorities.”