The event aimed to highlight the issue of environmentally friendly transport officially supplied to Ukraine by leading global automakers, as well as to introduce the launch of the Blu Planet For Meetings program.
Within the framework of this eco-initiative, which involves holding events without a carbon footprint, we gathered representatives of the press, partners, the automotive industry, and experts in the Embassy Ballroom. The goal was to demonstrate a new approach to organizing "green" events and discuss current trends in the electric vehicle market. Right in the hall, visitors could view the electric models BMW i3, Renault Kangoo Z.E., and Hyundai IONIQ Electric.
Thanks to the Blu Planet For Meetings program, any conference or car presentation at Radisson Blu hotels becomes an environmentally friendly event without additional costs for the organizers. Radisson Blu undertakes to offset the carbon footprint of each such event as part of its environmental initiative. Cooperating with First Climate, one of the world's largest operators in the field of emission offsetting, Radisson Blu directs funds to environmental projects around the world. These funds go to the restoration of water wells, the purchase of eco-friendly cooking stoves, and the production and distribution of biofuels in regions suffering from hunger and drought, including Guatemala, Malawi, and India. Thus, events held with Radisson Blu are beneficial both for guests and the environment.
Specialists from AVT Bavaria Ukraine, Renault Ukraine JSC, and Hyundai Motor Ukraine LLC shared information about the specifics of importing electric vehicles into Ukraine and the prospects for the development of electric transport. Particular attention was paid to the E-CAR project, which has a research nature, and discussions covered the concept of "smart cars," common myths about electric vehicles, and issues of their safe charging in today's realities.
The following speakers spoke at the event:
Claude Boulte, Regional Director of Radisson Blu in Ukraine and Georgia, Rezidor Hotel Group, noted that Eastern Europe and Ukraine remain a market with significant economic potential for their company. He reported that the Radisson Blu hotel project in Odesa is actively developing, and in just four weeks, a complete renovation of the room stock at the Radisson Blu hotel near the Golden Gate is planned, followed by lobby reconstruction in December. He also announced personnel changes: the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv Podil was headed by Nadine Fernbacher, who became the first female general manager among international hotels in Ukraine, and the Radisson Blu Resort, Bukovel – by Carlo Khalife.
Oleksandr Romanchuk, Head of the BMWi direction at AVT Bavaria Ukraine, reminded that the history of BMW electric cars began back in 1972 with the BMW 1602 Electric model. He explained that BMW i is a holistic concept of ecological mobility of the future. It encompasses cars designed as electric from the very beginning and mobility services that are ahead of their time, impress with design, and form a new understanding of premium class, inextricably linked to a responsible attitude towards natural resources. This concept is implemented in innovative models: the BMW i3 electric car does not pollute the air and is safe for the city, while the BMW i8 demonstrates what sports cars will be like in the future. AVT Bavaria Ukraine, acting as the first official importer of BMW i electric cars in Ukraine, is developing a sales system and marketing communications for the first two models of the series to offer customers the best conditions and open up prospects for them. He expressed confidence that Ukrainian consumers will soon understand the benefits of electric mobility, which will contribute to the growing popularity of such transport and their joining the global trend of caring for the environment behind the wheel of revolutionary BMW i.
Yana Minenko, Chairman of the Board of Renault Ukraine JSC, said that based on the successful global sales experience of Renault electric vehicles, the company in Ukraine is focused on creating an appropriate ecosystem. According to brand requirements, before starting sales, the infrastructure of charging stations and the possibility of safe and comfortable operation of electric vehicles in cities are checked. It was for this purpose that the ZOE tour was organized in Ukraine. In addition, Renault is training dealer personnel. Employees undergo specialized technical training in France, where they learn methods of repair and diagnostics of electric vehicles, get acquainted with the product, its operating rules, and behavior in emergency situations. In Ukraine, three official Renault dealers have already completed training: KYY AVTO HOLDING LLC in Kyiv, Y.R.K. LLC in Lviv, and AVTO GRUP + LLC in Odesa. They plan to start sales of electric models this autumn. Their dealerships have already installed two charging stations each — near the showroom and the service area, which meet the ZE Ready standard, guaranteeing the highest level of charging safety. A charging station was also installed in the parking lot near Renault's head office in Ukraine.
Hennadii Chetverukhin, Commercial Director of Hyundai Motor Ukraine LLC, emphasized that the uniqueness of the IONIQ project lies in its long-term research nature, aimed at changing perceptions of future transport through innovation. This is the world's first model to offer three types of powertrains to choose from: a classic hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric version. The IONIQ body features a streamlined shape for better airflow, and thanks to active and passive aerodynamic solutions, the drag coefficient is 0.24, which is one of the best indicators on the market. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the IONIQ Electric is recognized as the most efficient electric vehicle in the world: its combined energy consumption is 12.5 kWh per 100 km, equivalent to a fuel consumption of 1.73 liters per 100 km. The appearance of the IONIQ lineup on world markets is part of Hyundai Motor's global strategy, which involves launching 14 eco-friendly cars by 2020. Already now in Ukraine, the IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ Electric models are available, sold in seven dealerships in Kyiv and Odesa, and by the end of August they will appear in all 40 showrooms of the Hyundai Motor Ukraine network. By the end of this year, the start of sales of the third model — the IONIQ Plug-in Hybrid — is expected on the Ukrainian market.
