The Explorer EV Rally will make a flagship stop at this year’s Cenex Expo on 3 September, bringing a varied selection of electric vehicles to the heart of this important decarbonisation event. Here Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex, discusses what teams can expect at the Expo, and reflects on three decades of progress in the transport decarbonisation sector
Robert, you are a well respected and knowledgeable figure in transport decarbonisation, with many years of experience. How have you seen the transport decarbonisation agenda change and adapt over the years?
The agenda for transport decarbonisation has changed massively over my 30+ years in the green fleet community. The key change has arguably been the transition from transport decarbonisation being aspirational and desirable to it becoming a necessity, based on net zero policies, including the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
I first stepped into the green fleet community when the Californians were pursuing a ZEV mandate for pollutant emissions as well as carbon reduction but had to admit defeat because the battery technology didn’t allow the vehicle performance and affordability needed by the Californian market.
When I started with Cenex nearly 20 years ago, there were many options in play for transport decarbonisation but no consensus as to the preferred solution. The emergence of lithium chemistry batteries for passenger cars has been a game changer and the key reason why we now see all major motor manufacturers focusing investment to compete or die in the attery electric vehicle space.
The Cenex Expo is a key event in the transport decarbonisation calendar. Please tell us about the history of the event - how it came about and how it has evolved?
The event was first organised in 2008 to help create a national event for the UK innovation community actively developing technologies for transport decarbonisation and those fleets involved in early low carbon vehicle technology trials. We picked up the exhibition and Ride&Drive format from earlier events and ran with it, with support from Innovate, national government and the Regional Development Agencies.
The underpinning rationale for the event has always been to foster UK supply chain development for low carbon vehicle technologies through technology showcasing and networking. The “best of current” and “what next” mantra we apply to the event positions it to showcase the outputs of projects jointly funded by industry and Innovate UK, the Advanced Propulsion Centre and others, whilst also supporting the agenda setting for the next set of investments needed to maintain a competitive motor industry supply chain in the UK as global markets transition to transport decarbonisation and Connected Automated Mobility.
It is rewarding to see technologies showcased at past Cenex Expo events move on to be part of GREENFLEET events and the Green Fleet EV rally.
GREENFLEET's EV Rally is delighted to partner with the Cenex Expo this year, with teams attending the event on day three. Can you tell us more about this Showcase?
We have outside exhibition space for a vehicle from each of the teams participating in the EV Rally and will also be hosting a seminar session with key industry leaders involved in the rally speaking about the latest innovation and clean energy initiatives that are helping drive market uptake of EVs. In the afternoon we are planning an EV Rally fanfare departure. Our priority is to help the EV Rally participants share their thought leadership and to facilitate networking with the Cenex Expo attendees.
What other highlights can attendees look forward to at the Cenex Expo this year?
Cenex Expo is a single event but with a broad range of topics covered over the two days. The highlights will therefore depend on the attendees’ areas of interest. We will have zero emission trucks and the fleet operators running them sharing their experiences as part of the Innovate UK Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme. We will have showcasing of the latest cross pavement solutions for EV charging and progress reporting of Vehicle-to-Grid charging. We will also have technology and seminar sessions for those interested in hydrogen for transport and a strong presence from the UK Connected Automated Mobility community developing and trialling driverless vehicles.
In summary, the highlight is the variety all in one place at one time, based on around 200 exhibitors, 200 speakers and more than 4,000 visitors. Fingers crossed that the weather will be good for us as it has been for all but one event in 17 years to-date.
The Explorer EV Rally aims to stress-test the vehicles and charging infrastructure, with teams driving high-mileage routes across all terrains. How do you think teams will get on this year? Will the charging infrastructure deliver?
The early EV Rallies were challenging for participants because the spread of UK EV charging infrastructure was far less well developed than it is today and the EVs had shorter ranges. The Explorer EV Rally participants will be helping showcase that EVs are suitable for all but also helping to spread the word that the range of finance and energy services in support of EVs are maturing to meet both current and future customers needs. I also expect the teams to be highlighting energy efficient driving of EVs as a contributor to the Total Cost of Ownership proposition.
What would be your key ask of government to accelerate and simplify the switch to net-zero transport?
I wish there was a simple ask of government for this next phase in the switch to net-zero transport.
In terms of market uptake, we are in the ramp up phase of the S curve for cars and vans and ongoing policy support for EVs and charge point roll out will help prevent a slow-down in this ramp rate. It’s too early for government to step away and let the market decide.
However, looking ahead to the end goal of net-zero transport, the key priority is arguably to get electricity supply moved over to renewables and the UK electricity distribution network adapted to be able to take on, store and distribute this green electricity to a highly dispersed network of charge points for home, workplace, enroute and in destination EV charging. This represents a major multi-year transition but one needed for the foreseeable future for all forms of transport, from cars to trucks. In summary, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has a key role to play in the decarbonisation of road transport.
And finally, how do you see the future of transport decarbonisation panning out? Are you backing a particular fuel?
For cars and vans, I see green electricity as the fuel of choice for transport decarbonisation. I have spent much of my career tracking and supporting research and deployment of hydrogen fuel cells for these applications but now see hydrogen playing a role in energy storage for renewables and industrial decarbonisation but not in light vehicle decarbonisation.
For the decarbonisation of trucks, we are still at an early stage of resolving if we end up with a single fuel of choice, or if we end up with several types of fuel in play depending on vehicle type, duty cycle and whether refuelling is primarily depot based or enroute. I am looking forward to the updates and technology showcasing for the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme at this year’s Cenex Expo.
The Cenex Expo takes place 3-4 September at UTAC Millbrook, register here. The Explorer EV Rally will be stopping at the Cenex Expo on Wednesday 3 September.