The fund assists organisations based in emerging economies that are working to improve access to clean transport. The LEAP Fund, backed by Drive Electric, was founded in 2022 to encourage low-carbon transitions and minimise fossil-fuel vehicle lock-in.
Drive Electric, a global philanthropic campaign driving the transition to a clean transport future, announced that the LEAP Fund has been expanded by $1.05 million in grants to support initiatives in Africa and Latin America. It said: “Drive Electric has expanded the fund from an initial one-year investment of $1 million to a total of more than $3 million in commitments from 2022-2024. Seven organisations have been awarded funding as part of this second round of the LEAP Fund.”
Powered by philanthropy, the Drive Electric Campaign is a growing global coalition of more than 100 partners from climate foundations, research institutions and civil society organisations that is accelerating 100% clean, zero emission electric road vehicles of all kinds, from two- and three- wheelers to cars, buses, and trucks. Drive Electric partners work in over 65 countries to support smart government policies, business engagement, and people-powered coalitions to achieve a clean transportation future.
“We see notable leadership in electric vehicle innovation, vision, and motivation in many emerging markets,” said Rebecca Fisher, director of the Drive Electric Campaign. “We believe that philanthropic investment can help build political will, drive public and private finance to the sector, and support green industrial development by shifting the market toward clean transportation on an accelerated timeline to meet global climate goals.”
In a statement, Drive Electric said electric vehicle sales are growing rapidly in China, Europe, and the U.S., but that projected population growth is in other markets, notably in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. It said: “Now is a critical moment to invest in communities who are ready to jumpstart the EV transition and experience the benefits of clean transportation.”
African recipients of the 2023 LEAP Fund grants are: Clean Air Africa, which is focused on accelerating infrastructure and ecosystem development for e-mobility in East Africa; the Electric Mission, whose aim is the creation of a central knowledge sharing hub around zero-emission vehicles, for South African industry; and the Zambian Electric Mobility Innovation Alliance, which is hoping to accelerate zero-emission public transportation in the country.
South Africa’s Electric Mission Executive Director, Hiten Parmar said, “as renowned subject matter expert in electric mobility, we are honoured to be backed by the global Drive Electric Campaign’s LEAP Fund to advance electric mobility in South Africa, and Africa”.
