Albania has signed up to an initiative to shift towards zero-emission electric mobility, supported by the United Nations and International Energy Agency.
The GEF Global Electric Mobility Programme now includes 27 developing countries that will receive support on developing e-mobility roadmaps, business models, and financing schemes to transition their transport sectors to electric vehicles.
“The shift to zero-emissions mobility will be one of the defining changes of the 21st century, as the introduction of the internal combustion engine was in the 2oth century,” GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez said.
“This global partnership will be crucial in paving the way for low and middle-income countries to benefit from the shift to electric mobility, while cutting transport emissions, fighting climate change and creating a cleaner environment for their citizens.”
Other countries that have signed up to the initiative include Ukraine, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Peru, Armenia, and Jordan.
According to the recent IPCC report, all new vehicles must be zero emissions by 2035 if there is any hope of meeting the Paris climate targets.
The Albanian government recently announced plans to cut emissions by 20.9% with the aim of reaching zero by 2050.
In terms of electric vehicles, Tirana has a sizeable fleet of privately owned electric taxis and several charging stations in the city. Some busses are also now electric, or hybrid, as well as some municipal vehicles.
