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One in 10 drivers think it’s perfectly acceptable to answer a video call while they are driving, new research has found.

And worryingly, almost half think it’s fine to use their mobile phone while behind the wheel while seven percent admit to catching up with their favourite shows on long journeys, new research from dash cam company Nextbase has found.

Last year, a survey conducted by leasing company Venson Automotive Solutions highlighted a fall in driving standards as an increasing number of drivers headed back out on to the road.

On its latest findings, Nextbase head of road safety Bryn Booker said: “The continued use of technology while driving is worrisome, and the latest regulations are looking to crack down on these driving behaviours in order to further reduce the risk for road traffic incidents.”

The research of more than 1,000 drivers also found that 11% still believe it is fine to get behind the wheel after having a drink if ‘you feel fine to drive’.

Further research on bad driving habits picked up during lockdown revealed that 61% of UK drivers believe they are ‘Covid Drivers’, one in five (22%) said they now steer one-handed, 12% confessed to getting easily distracted when driving, while 15% said they drive far too quickly.

Company drivers should be made fully aware of new regulations that have come into force since the pandemic, the company says.

One of the new laws means it is illegal for anyone to pick up and use their mobile phone while driving, this also applies to scrolling through a playlist or using social media.

It also raises the question around using a mobile phone as a sat-nav, drivers must set the route before turning on their cars and turning on their engine. Setting a destination while driving could cost incur six penalty points and a £200 fine.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The RAC has partnered with British Gas to offer an electric vehicle (EV) charger and tariff to support drivers of plug-in cars.

It follows the launch of the RAC’s EV leasing website and enables customers to have a smart 7kW home charge point installed by a British Gas engineer paired with a bespoke electricity tariff with cheaper off-peak overnight charging.

RAC director of EVs Sarah Winward-Kotecha said: “We’re very excited to have teamed up with British Gas to offer home charge points and a bespoke EV electricity tariff as they’re as synonymous with taking care of people’s energy needs as we are with fixing and rescuing cars.

“Working with trusted names like British Gas and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions means customers can now – through the RAC – lease some of the most popular electric cars at market-leading prices and get a smart home charge point installed with a specialist energy tariff that offers cheaper off-peak EV charging.

“Combine all this with RAC EV breakdown cover, which is unrivalled in the roadside assistance market, and drivers now have everything they need to affordably switch to a zero-emission car with complete peace of mind.”

Customers who want to have a home charge point installed via the RAC have the choice of two models – with either fixed or removable cables – made by Alfen. Both come with a three-year warranty and are installed by a British Gas trained EV installer. The Alfen Eve S-Line Untethered can be installed from £659 and Alfen Eve S-Line Tethered from £745.

Both chargers can be controlled via a smartphone, allowing drivers to schedule charges to take place overnight when the electricity rate is cheaper. They can also look back at their daily, weekly and yearly charging, to see the cost and their electricity usage.  

The RAC-e Recharge Electric Car Tariff costs 6p per kWh between 12-5am, which could save up to £300 annually.

Americo Lenza, portfolio director at British Gas, added: “Working in partnership with the RAC allows us to provide a unique proposition for those looking for hassle free motoring.

For the first time, drivers can now combine the vehicle, the charger, the green energy, the servicing and the breakdown cover in one place. Supporting customers with cost effective ways to make the change to electric is vital as we transition away from petrol and diesel cars. Once you’ve switched, you’ll never go back.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Four projects have received a share of £91 million to develop low carbon automotive technology, including a new, long-distance electric vehicle (EV) battery.

BMW will receive £26.2m to help develop electric car batteries with a range similar to internal combustion engines and which can charge in as little as 12 minutes.

Andreas Loehrke, head of research and design for BMW Motorsport UK, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to collaborate with world leading companies to develop high tech battery technology.

“It strengthens our UK partner base and safeguards and extends our research and design centre.”

The four projects have been awarded funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development competition, which supports the development of innovative low carbon automotive technology.

Together, the APC say they could save almost 32 million tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to the lifetime emissions of 1.3 million cars, and secure more than 2,700 jobs across the country.

It is also hoped that the innovations will address motorists’ concerns about adopting EVs by cutting charge times and boosting driving range.

Alongside the BMW project, £9.7m of joint industry and Government funding from the APC will go to a project led by Sprint Power in Birmingham to create ultra-fast charging batteries for electric and fuel cell hybrid vehicles that can charge in as little as 12 minutes.

Founder and CEO of Sprint Power, Richie Frost, said: “As we move steadily towards the UK’s ban on new petrol and diesel combustion engine vehicles in 2030, tackling consumers’ concerns on EVs head on is critical.

“We are delighted to be leading this pioneering project that will create a step change in battery charge times, helping to create highly efficient fuel cell vehicles for the future and accelerating the charging time on battery electric vehicles significantly closer to refuelling times on today’s internal combustion engine cars.”

The lion’s share of the funding, £41.2m, will be go to a project led by REE at their Engineering Centre of Excellence at the MIRA technology park in Nuneaton to develop and manufacture their REEcorner technology.

It packs critical vehicle components (including steering, braking, suspension, powertrain and control) into a single compact module located between the chassis and the wheel, enabling fully-flat EV platforms to meet the growing needs for efficient commercial electric vehicles.

The remaining £14.6m will fund a project led by Cummins to develop a novel zero carbon, hydrogen-fuelled engine in Darlington, to help decarbonise heavy-duty commercial transport.

APC CEO, Ian Constance, said: “These projects tackle some really important challenges in the journey to net-zero road transport.

“They address range anxiety and cost, which can be a barrier to people making the switch to electric vehicles and they also provide potential solutions to the challenge of how we decarbonise public transport and the movement of goods.

“By investing in this innovation, we’re taking these technologies closer to the point where they are commercially viable, which will strengthen the UK’s automotive supply chain, safeguard or create jobs and reduce harmful greenhouse emissions.”

The APC collaborates with UK Government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 170 low-carbon projects involving 402 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and has helped to create or safeguard nearly 50,000 jobs in the UK.

The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 288 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime tailpipe emissions from 12 million cars.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

A new type of catalytic converter is being developed that accelerates the removal of harmful nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from engine fumes.

Scientists at the University of Leeds are working in collaboration with catalytic converter manufacturer Cats and Pipes, to trial the new device.

The aim is to have a prototype fitted to a test vehicle by 2023, enabling its performance to be compared with current catalytic converters under real road conditions.   

The scientists believe the prototype, which uses a new synthetic materal, has the potential to revolutionise catalytic converter technology. 

Many conventional catalytic converters use platinum group metals as a catalyst, which convert harmful gases from an engine into nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

These metals are expensive, and they do not become effective until the engine is running with an exhaust temperature above 150 degrees centigrade. Traffic fumes in urban areas often come from vehicles operating at lower temperatures because they are either idling or moving at low speed. As a result, conventional catalytic converters under urban road conditions may be operating with less than 50% efficiency.

The synthetic material developed at Leeds is an effective catalyst at low and even ambient temperatures.

Dr Hu Li, associate professor in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds, who is leading the project, said: “Among the biggest contributors to poor air-quality in urban areas are traffic fumes, from vehicles which are either stationary or moving slowly.

Current catalytic converters do an inefficient job in reducing emissions under those conditions. At Leeds, we are confident that the new catalytic material will out-perform existing technology.”

Called LowCat, development of the prototype will also investigate whether it is possible to commercially scale-up production.

Simon Clarke, Commercialisation Manager at the University of Leeds, said: “LowCat is a very exciting technology that appears to have significant commercial potential. We are very grateful for the support offered to us by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and we are looking forward to scale-up and prototype trials, with our industrial partner, Cats & Pipes.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The following article is aimed mainly at business car drivers but it is also relevant to consumers interested in the cost of running their EV so I’ve included it as the information is very useful.

EVs are becoming an increasingly popular option for business fleets, largely due to the associated cost and environmental benefits. Switching to an EV is an enjoyable experience, but many of the procedures will be new to drivers. Preparation is key and research will help businesses avoid being caught out with unnecessarily high charges.

For businesses considering introducing EVs into their fleet, it’s important to do some research on the available charging options and infrastructure. Accessibility, cost, and speed are all aspects of EV charging that differ from the experience of fueling a diesel or petrol vehicle.

In many ways, charging an EV is more convenient and cost-effective than fueling an ICE vehicle. However, there are a few pitfalls that drivers and fleet managers need to look out for.

Here, we outline the most important differences to expect between charging an EV and fueling a petrol or diesel car, to help businesses get the most out of their EV fleet.

Availability

Perhaps the most significant element of EV charging for businesses to consider is accessibility of charging infrastructure. Charger availability is improving all the time, but it’s still crucial for fleet managers to know the locations of the most convenient charge points for their drivers.

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There are plenty of charging infrastructure manufacturers that operate within the UK, and many offer charge points across the country. BP Pulse, ChargeYourCar, and Electric Highway all operate nationwide infrastructure for a combined nearly 10,000 charging locations.

In combination with almost 30 other mainstream charging providers, this figure increases to over 43,000 charging points at over 15,000 locations: that’s more places to charge an EV than public petrol stations in the UK. This is great news for businesses investigating an electric fleet, as increasing accessibility to charging infrastructure can directly help to alleviate range anxiety in drivers.

Moving forward, home-based EV charging will become more commonplace. Home charging will be a great option for businesses who operate their fleets primarily during the day, and can help drivers cut down on both charging time and cost. Home charging provides drivers with the ability to choose their own tariffs, tailored to their driving habits and frequency.

Cost

The cost of charging an EV is dependent on several factors, so it’s important to understand the differences to avoid high charges. Charging speed, membership fees and location all inform the final cost of charging each EV, and many manufacturers offer multiple payment plans to suit individual needs.

Monthly payment plans range from £4.99 to £68.00 per car, while yearly payment subscriptions can cost as little as £20. Most providers will also charge per kWh, depending on location – these prices range from 26p to 69p per kWh, and are generally discounted for subscribed members.

Even as EV charging is cheaper than petrol fuel, the UK government is still calling for more affordable options to make electric charging more accessible. The Transport Select Committee and MPs across the country are working together to help protect consumers from excessive charging costs that may hinder the accessibility of charging infrastructure. This includes providing charging options at workplaces and newbuilds, as property developers are called upon to include infrastructure in development plans.

Speed

EV charging speed presents the biggest difference in experience between charging an EV and fueling an ICE vehicle. The good news is that businesses can choose from a variety of charging options to suit driver needs and convenience.

EV chargers come in four widely available speeds: slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. Slow chargers are ideal for businesses whose fleets operate primarily during the day and are perfect for home installation for overnight charging. These chargers generally take 10-14 hours to fully charge a vehicle.

For fleets that are constantly on the go, fast and rapid chargers are the best option. These chargers can take as little as 2.5 hours to charge and are offered by the greatest number of nationwide, public charging providers.

Ultra-rapid chargers are also available on six networks of public EV charging: BP Pulse, ChargePlace Scotland, Gridserve Electric Forecourt, Instavolt, Ionity, and Shell Recharge. This infrastructure can charge a vehicle in as little as 20 minutes and is perfect for high-demand fleets that travel across a wide range on a regular or daily basis.

Making the right decision

Businesses will need to start considering their suitability for an electric fleet sooner rather than later, as the 2030 ban is approaching fast.

Fleet managers should plan ahead to educate drivers on behaviour adaptations that will help avoid high costs and longer charging times – especially for those drivers who commute or work field-based jobs that require fleet vehicles.

Since usage dictates charging demand, businesses and drivers alike will benefit from knowing their most suitable charging options.

The most important aspect of this transition is research. Understanding the most sensible infrastructure for individual business needs will ensure a smooth transition – one that helps drivers learn the ropes of EV charging in a timely manner and keeps costs as a realistic level. By Graham Hill thanks to Business Car

Software experts have discovered numerous security flaws with a range of smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

They were able to remotely switch the chargers on and off, remove the owner’s access and lock or unlock the charging cable.

Devices from Wallbox and Project EV – both approved for sale in the UK by the Department for Transport – were found to be “lacking adequate security” by researchers at Pen Test Partners.

Speaking to the BBC, Vangelis Stykas, a cyber-security researcher, said: “On Wallbox you could take full control of the charger, you could gain full access and remove the usual owner’s access on the charger. You could stop them from charging their own vehicles, and provide free charging to an attacker’s vehicle.

“Project EV had a really bad implementation on their back end. Their authentication where it existed was pretty primitive, so an attacker could easily escalate themselves to being an administrator and change the firmware of all the chargers.”

He says changing the programming on the device would allow an attacker to permanently disable the charger, or use it to attack other chargers or servers.

Hackers could also infiltrate a home network, in cases where the chargers were connected by Wi-Fi.

Pen Test Partners believes that multiple chargers could also be controlled at the same time using some of the vulnerabilities it found, which could potentially be used by an attacker to overload the electricity grid in some areas and cause blackouts.

The company assessed charging units from Project EV, Wallbox, EVBox, EO Hub, Rolec and Hypervolt.

Most of the faults have now been addressed, however charge point owners are advised to install the latest software updates to the devices.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Up to 800 Shell electric vehicle (EV) charging points will be installed in as many as 100 Waitrose shops across the UK by 2025.

Each site is expected to have six 22kW and two 50kW rapid charging points so customers can charge their vehicles while they shop.

The first charge points are expected to go live early next year and will represent Shell Recharge’s first move into ‘destination charging’, whereby customers charge their vehicle while it is parked at a location they are primarily visiting for another activity such as shopping.

Shell’s ambition is to grow its Shell Recharge-branded network to 5,000 charge points on forecourts and other locations by 2025.

Bernadette Williamson, general manager Shell UK Retail, said: “This is great news for EV drivers across the UK, knowing they can easily, quickly and reliably charge up at Shell charge points while shopping at Waitrose.

“We want to make EV charging as hassle-free as possible and support our customers wherever they want to charge.”

Waitrose executive director, James Bailey, added: “We’re delighted to bring our customers 800 new charging points for electric vehicles, including new rapid charging capabilities, as the UK moves more and more towards a sustainable transport network.”

The charge point deal comes as a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation has found that some areas of the development of the UK’s charging infrastructure are facing problems which will hinder the roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs). 

It says that this could impact the Government’s plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and its wider commitment to make the UK net zero by 2050.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Electric vehicles (EVs) fall short of their claimed WLTP range figures by 14.8%, on average, according to independent testing by What Car?

The magazine put 10 of the latest EVs through a real-world range test to see how close they could get to the official figures.

The best performing model was the Porsche Taycan, which was 3% shy of its official 290-mile figure, achieving 281 miles in the test.

The Porsche beat the Mazda MX-30 into second place, with that falling 7.1% short of its quoted 124-mile range. The Fiat 500e was farthest away from its official range, falling 29.2% shy of its 198-mile WLTP figure.

Ford’s Mach-E fell 20.2% short of its official figure, but the Extended Range RWD achieved the highest outright test mileage, covering 379 miles before its battery ran out.

What Car? tested how close 10 current electric vehicles could get to their quoted WLTP range figures. The test was conducted on a closed vehicle proving ground, on a 15-mile route consisting of 2.6 miles of simulated stop-start urban traffic, four miles of steady 50mph driving and eight miles of driving at a constant speed of 70mph, to simulate motorway journeys.

Each of the vehicles was fully charged and left outside for 15 hours, before being fully charged again ahead of the test. The cars were then driven until they ran flat, with on-road position and driver changes at the end of each lap.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “Range is one of the key criteria for new and used electric car buyers. Our real-world driving test shows that some electric vehicles can get incredibly close to their quoted figures in the real world, while others are farther behind, so it’s important buyers do their research and organise test drives when considering a new electric vehicle.”

What Car? EV range test results:

Make / Model	Usable battery size (kWh)	Official (WLTP) range (Miles)	Test range   (Miles)	Shortfall	Miles per kWh*
Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus	83.7	290	281	3.0%	3.4
Mazda MX-30 SE-L Lux	30.0	124	115	7.1%	3.8
Kia e-Niro 64kWh 3	64.0	282	257	8.5%	4.0
Renault Zoe R135 GT Line	52.0	238	208	12.4%	4.0
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 S line	77.0	308	266	13.6%	3.5
Volkswagen ID.3 58kWh Pro Performance Life	58.0	264	226	14.2%	3.9
Skoda Enyaq 60	58.0	254	207	18.3%	3.6
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD	88.0	379	302	20.2%	3.4
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	70.0	360	284	21.1%	4.1
Fiat 500 42kWh Icon	37.3	198	140	29.2%	3.8

By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Transport for London (TfL) is launching a consultation on the congestion charge, which could reduce the hours of operation.

They were extended in June 2020 when the Government had to bail out TfL after a financial crisis caused by the onset of the pandemic.

The operational hours of the charge were extended to include evenings and weekends, and the charge was increased from £11.50 to £15.

The consultation is seeking views on the future operation of the congestion charge, with the main proposals including no charges in the evenings to support London’s recovery, operating between 12-6pm on weekends and retaining the current charge level of £15.

The proposed new weekend charging hours are targeted at reducing congestion at the busiest times, says TfL.

Weekend car and private hire traffic before the pandemic was higher than during the week and made up 70% of traffic in the charging zone on a Saturday and Sunday.

If the proposed new weekend hours are brought in it is estimated there will be an increase in sustainable travel compared to before the pandemic, with around 8,000 new public transport trips and 3,000 walking and cycling trips each day on the weekend, it claims.

The proposal to stop the congestion charge at 6pm on weekdays is in line with the pre-pandemic hours, rather than the current 10pm finish time.

Evening traffic data will be kept under review, given that weekday travel patterns in particular remain uncertain, says TfL.

Following feedback from those living in central London, the plans include opening up the 90% residents’ discount to new applicants. The discount has been closed to new applicants since August 1, 2020.

Other proposals include: no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day inclusive; the charge to be in operation on bank holidays from 12-6pm; and being able to pay up to three days after travel.

TfL is also consulting on retaining recently expanded reimbursement schemes for NHS patients, care workers, local councils and charities during epidemics and pandemics.

The pre-pandemic NHS staff and patient reimbursement arrangements will continue.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “As we look to the future it’s vital the charge strikes the right balance between supporting London’s economic recovery and helping ensure it is a green and sustainable one.

“These proposals support the capital’s culture, hospitality and night-time businesses which have struggled so much, as well as encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

“We must not replace one public health crisis with another due to filthy polluted air, and our measures to create more space for walking and cycling have already had a huge impact. I urge Londoners to have their say and take part in the consultation.”

It is proposed that the discount for using AutoPay will be removed and the current £17.50 charge for paying three days after travel will be retained. The ability of residents to pay for consecutive days online and via the app will also be removed, following the widespread take-up of AutoPay.

Other discounts and exemptions, including the Blue Badge Discount and Cleaner Vehicle Discount, are unaffected by the new proposals.

If they are agreed following the consultation, the changes to hours will take place on February 28, 2022. Other proposals will be implemented immediately after a mayoral decision on the changes.

Natalie Chapman, Logistics UK’s head of policy in the south, welcomed the proposal to revert the operational hours of the congestion charge back to the original weekday timings in place before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Logistics UK has long campaigned for flexibility surrounding delivery hours to encourage and enable businesses to carry out their deliveries at less congested times to reduce emissions, improve the safety of vulnerable road users and increase operational efficiency, she said. Moving back to the original timings provides additional flexibility to retime deliveries and is supported by our members. 

“However, Logistics UK opposes the proposal to retain the higher £15 charge and weekend charging, which simply amounts to an additional tax for logistics businesses who currently have little alternative but to use lorries and vans to keep London stocked with all the goods the population needs.”

Nick Bowes, chief executive of the Centre for London, labelled the congestion charge as being an “ageing and clunky technology”.

“When it was first introduced, the congestion charge was world-leading, but its effectiveness has diminished with the pace of growth in London and changing travel patterns,” added Bowes.

“As a matter of urgency, Transport for London should make the most of new technology and develop a simpler, smarter and fairer system of road user charging in the capital.

“It will take bold political leadership but, done properly, a smart road user charging scheme would improve air quality, promote active travel and reduce congestion, and play a key role in filling the hole in Transport for London’s budget.”

The consultation closes on October 6, 2021. To respond, visit : tfl.gov.uk/ccyourview  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

MPs on the transport committee are warning that unless charging habits change, or the National Grid is strengthened, the charging needs from millions of new electric vehicles (EVs) will cause blackouts to parts of the country.

In Zero emission vehicles, published in July, the MPs have set out a series of recommendations to Government to boost the production and purchase of EVs.

The report questions whether the Government’s current plans are enough to deliver the public charging infrastructure needed across all regions of the UK and whether it will benefit everyone.

Drivers who live in rural or remote areas or who do not have off-street parking, for example, are at risk of being left behind, it says.

The MPs warn that a clear policy framework is essential to ensure that industry can deliver the vehicles and charging infrastructure required to deliver the Government’s net zero ambition.

Huw Merriman MP, chair of the transport committee, said: “Putting guarantees in place on infrastructure is crucial, but one report after another flags concerns to Government about the provision of electric car charging infrastructure.

“Let ours be the last; it’s time that ministers set out the route map to delivering a network of services for everyone across the UK.”

Just last week, a Competition and Markets Authority investigation found that some areas of the development of the UK’s charging infrastructure are facing problems which will hinder the roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs).

It says that this could impact the Government’s plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and its wider commitment to make the UK net zero by 2050.

EV infrastructure strategy

The Government’s transport decarbonisation plan promises an EV infrastructure strategy by the end of the year, which will set out the its vision for infrastructure rollout, and roles for the public and private sectors in achieving it.

By 2030, it expects to have 2,500 rapid charge points across the strategic road network, and 6,000 by 2035.

It says it is also working with Ofgem on the deployment of the Energy Networks Association’s £300 million Green Recovery Scheme, announced in May, to accelerate motorway service area and wider EV charging infrastructure investment.

The UK has around 25,000 charge points currently and, while there is still uncertainty, forecasts suggest more than 10 times this amount will be needed by 2030.

The transport committee report says that the Government must work with the National Grid to map national coverage to eradicate ‘not-spot’ areas and identify locations where the Grid will not cope with additional usage.

It should also make public charging provision a requirement of local development and provide funding for local planning and transport bodies to hire staff with a mandate to deliver charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, it suggests that it needs to protect the consumer from excessive charges and multiple accounts when charging in public and address the discrepancy between the 5% VAT incurred for home charging and 20% VAT for on-street.

The report insists that industry uses price to change consumer charging behaviour to a ‘little but often’ approach and at times when the National Grid can meet total demand.

17 electric vehicle charging tariffs

Research from Cornwall Insight shows around 17 EV tariffs are available, with some of the tariffs still in testing phases and not available to all customers. On top of this number, there are 11 Time of Use (ToU) EV tariffs on offer.

Katie Hickford, an analyst at Cornwall Insight, said: “EV tariffs can provide households with savings compared to a standard tariff offering, but there is reduced choice currently, with comparisons between the different offerings challenging, although improvements are being made for consumers.

“As EV sales continue to rise, we would expect more innovative tariff offerings to cater for this section of customers, especially as the uptake of EVs moves to mass adoption.”

The transport committee report notes that with charging at home substantially cheaper than on-street charging, pricing must be fair for people who charge their EVs in public spaces.

It welcomes the Government’s commitment to regulate interoperability between charge points and pricing transparency for public charge points later this year. However, mandating industry to use pricing to move consumer behaviour towards a ‘little and often’ refuelling habit will also help, it says.

Zero-emission vehicle mandate

The MPs are also calling on the Government to introduce a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate as a matter of priority if it is to hit its target of 100% ZEVs by 2035.

A ZEV mandate would incentivise car manufacturers to steadily increase sales of zero emission vehicles towards the 2030 target for all new vehicles to have ‘significant zero emission capability’.

This, it says, would bring ZEV vehicles within reach of more consumers encouraged by cost-effective ways to support purchases compared to taxpayer-funded incentives.

Merriman says that the Government’s inclusion of a ZEV mandate in a recent consultation is welcome but not enough on its own.

He continued: “Charging electric vehicles should be convenient, straightforward and inexpensive and drivers must not be disadvantaged by where they live or how they charge their vehicles.

“Shifting the subsidy from the taxpayer to the manufacturer will incentivise those who deliver the fewest electric vehicles in our showrooms to up their game.

“Unless the National Grid gains more capacity, consumer behaviour will have to alter so that charging takes place when supply can meet the additional demand. The alternative will be blackouts in parts of the country.

“We also cannot have a repeat of the broadband and mobile ‘not spot’ lottery which would mean those in remote parts cannot join the electric vehicle revolution.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, says that for most drivers, the opportunity to charge an EV in their garage, on their driveway or in a dedicated parking space offers cheaper running costs.

However, he said: “For the 30% of homeowners with no access to dedicated off-street parking or workplace charging, they have no choice but to pay the rates set on the public charging network.

“On the road to electrification, we cannot allow one group of drivers to benefit while others struggle – in effect, a two-tier system of have and have-nots.

“An independent body overseeing the fees being charged on the public network would help reassure drivers that they are paying a fair price.

“Rather than focusing on tying manufacturers up in red tape to meet EV sales targets, we need to improve the incentives offered to consumers to buy electric vehicles. Scrapping VAT would be the most influential policy to help spark the electric revolution.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News