Council to host first electric vehicle event in Horsham to support net zero agenda

Published: 20 Mar 2024

Discover Electric event

Horsham District Council is hosting a free regional event for people and businesses of West Sussex and beyond to learn all about the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) on Friday 24 May at their Parkside premises in Horsham from 9am to 2pm.

The event, Discover Electric, which is being organised by the Council in partnership with Let’s Experience Electric, is free to attend and open to everyone with an interest in switching to EVs and more sustainable motoring to help reduce carbon emissions on our roads.

The event will showcase a broad range of EVs with the opportunity to get behind the wheel and go for a test drive. Experts will be on hand to give presentations and answers questions on all aspects of electric motoring; environmental performance, operation costs, charging infrastructures and more.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery Cllr Colette Blackburn said:  “Climate change is endangering our planet, our nation and our District.  This event is all about educating people in the transition to zero emissions motoring, as transport is currently responsible for much of our roadside air pollution.

If you are considering owning an EV or just want to find out more, then this event offers the perfect opportunity for you to do your research and ask any questions you may have.

“There are many benefits to getting an electric vehicle, including lower running costs and helping the environment. By 2035, the government is looking to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles and we all need to be ready.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Cllr Jay Mercer added: “As the Council continues its great work towards creating a greener District in line with our pledge to become a carbon neutral District by 2050, we need more individuals and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles.

We are making good progress in replacing our petrol and diesel fleet vehicles with electric ones to drive forward our green agenda, and we are looking to support the District’s taxi fleets in going electric too. Delivering cleaner and greener transport regionally is a key part of what is driving this event.

“Come along, take a test drive and join us for what will be an engaging, educational event.”

The Council is working in partnership with leading UK charging infrastructure company Connected Kerb, event organisers Let’s Experience Electric, energy efficiency specialists Energy Saving Trust, West Sussex County Council and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The event is being funded by DEFRA’s Air Quality Grant.