This morning I had the opportunity to participate on a panel with World Bank President Robert Zoellick, Sir Richard Branson, UN OECD General Secretary Angel Gurria, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others on the importance of public-private partnerships.
At this meeting, I was pleased to announce the "C40 Electric Vehicle Network," a new public-private partnership between 14 of the world's largest cities - including Los Angeles - car manufacturers and a leading energy company to increase electric vehicle usage and accessibility.
Over the next year, participating cities will take specific steps to make their cities more electric vehicle friendly and will collectively address four areas of municipal action that are critical to the successful introduction of electric vehicles. Those areas are: 1. Addressing charging infrastructure and related electricity supply systems; 2. Streamlining permitting processes; 3. Coordinating monetary and non-monetary incentives; and 4. Publishing plans on mobilizing demand for electric vehicles in city fleets.
At the same time, car manufacturers such as BYD, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Renault; and the energy company, EDF Energy, will provide support to the cities as they make vehicle procurement and infrastructure investment decisions.
Cities are the largest emitters of carbon and contribute the most pollutants to our environment. The conversion of major vehicle fleets to electric power, gives cities an opportunity to reduce emissions and become more sustainable.
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