Victoria Edmonds
CEO, EVA England
Too expensive? Not enough chargepoints? They won’t work for longer trips? When we talk to anyone yet to switch to electric driving, those are the prevailing views.
Ask an EV driver, and it’s a different story: much cheaper to run than my old petrol car; much easier to charge than I realised; fits better into our busy lives; smoother and easier drive. Those are the views of those already driving electric — those who know how these cars work. About 95% of EV drivers never look back. So, why aren’t these views cutting through the prevailing myths?
Tackling EV misinformation
Over two-thirds of EV drivers surveyed believe misinformation is a significant barrier to people switching to electric. However, people trust friends and family more than anyone else when considering their next vehicle purchase. With more of us choosing EVs (27% of new cars sold in August were battery electric), and the UK’s charging infrastructure rapidly expanding (over 85,000 chargepoints compared to around 8,000 petrol stations), we have a real opportunity to reset the discussion on EVs and focus on the true benefits these vehicles can bring.
We have a real opportunity to reset
the discussion on EVs and focus on
the true benefits these vehicles can bring.
What about EV costs?
That’s not to say that there aren’t still challenges. Upfront costs are still higher than for petrol and diesel equivalents. Salary sacrifice and the Government’s Electric Car Grant lend much support to households looking to buy a new EV. However, the second-hand EV market can be volatile, and we need to look at ways to stabilise and bring second-hand prices down.
With a driveway and access to home charging, drivers can save around £1,000 a year on running costs. For those reliant on the public charging network, charging costs are greater. There are solutions — cross-pavement technologies, charge-sharing, time of day pricing and workplace charging — that can bring those costs down. We need to promote these options and show that EVs can work for all households.
Expanding EV accessibility
Many drivers with disabilities report that they find EVs easier to drive and ‘refuel’, especially if they charge at home. However, those relying on public charging struggle. We must work harder to raise awareness of accessibility standards around cable weight, space around the car and height of payment terminals. They need to be rolled out so that all drivers can use the charging network.
With a concerted effort across the EV sector to tackle these last remaining barriers, we are close to the tipping point where EVs become the preferred, cheaper and better car for UK drivers.
