Released:
8:00 p.m. November 25, 2021
Car journalist and former IT editor Peter Franzen comments on the electric car dilemma
As a car correspondent, you’d think I’d be in a strong position to replace my current carbonated fuel model with a full-fledged EV (electric vehicle).
But like thousands of others who think it is the right way to help “save the planet”, this is a real dilemma right now that I find difficult to resolve.
Undoubtedly, the choice of vehicles is thriving and the cars are getting better and better especially in terms of battery range.
I drove a new Kia EV6 last week and it will cover a little over 300 miles on a full charge. It’s fun to drive, comfortable and incredibly quiet. It is also very well equipped with the latest security features.
But despite the good range with a fully charged battery, I still suffer from “range anxiety” because the charging station infrastructure is currently completely inadequate nationwide.
Then the question of the long battery life arises. Some experts say that an EV battery cannot go below 20% and that regularly charging the battery to 100% will also speed its demise. When the 20% rule is proven, the official range will be further reduced.
I travel often from Norwich to Oxford to visit my family. Even in the Kia, the return journey with a full load would not yet be possible. Most new electric vehicles are equipped with apps that you can use to find the nearest charging station and guide you there using your navigation device. However, this does not guarantee that the charging points are free and, especially with regard to payment, will work properly or work at all.
Some of the phone apps are supposed to show the charging points that are not working, but I don’t want to drive 10 or 15 km off my route with a low battery to find that the charger was defective and was not picked up by the app.
According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the government estimates the requirement will prompt the installation of up to 145,000 additional charging points per year by 2030 – when the national sales ban on new gasoline and diesel cars comes into effect. But how ready is Britain?
A new Economist report, sponsored by British Petroleum, highlights a number of challenges that need to be addressed as countries move forward with their EV goals.
Norway comes closest to preparation. The UK has also made good progress in setting targets and introducing some incentives for the electric shift. But when compared to the leading EV markets, it ranks seventh out of ninth in terms of its overall readiness.
The study highlights key findings that can help accelerate the next stages of the UK’s EV transition:
- The UK is expanding its charging infrastructure, but the available charging speed does not fully meet demand.
- Some parts of the UK (particularly London) have made great strides. But there are significant differences in the UK. The report says coordinated efforts are needed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in all parts of the country over the next decade.
- Another obstacle to adoption in the UK is making the move from fossil fuels to electrical energy more affordable. This country has one of the largest cost differences between electric vehicles and conventional vehicles.
- Governments worldwide direct buyers through financial incentives at the time of purchase or by providing subsidies, minimizing taxes, and lowering other fees such as parking fees and electric vehicle tolls. These ‘carrots’ do not appear on the UK menu, with the exception of the £ 2,500 plug-in car allowance for vehicles with an MSRP of less than £ 35,000.
So it’s no wonder that, according to an Ofgem survey from 2021, only a quarter of UK consumers (24%) intend to buy an electric vehicle in the next five years, while another 24% can never imagine owning one.
It seems to me that being an early adopter of an electric vehicle works when you can charge the car at home, are willing to pay an extra charge over gasoline and diesel models, and don’t make long journeys.
But if you want a family vehicle, “do everything”, go everywhere, then prepare to plan your trips around charging points to avoid “range anxiety”, add at least 30 minutes to recharge at a certain point in the journey and comfort yourself that you are helping the planet.
I am still undecided….
