Government announces new initiatives on World EV Day to boost electric car uptake - RAC comment

Commenting on electric vehicle new initiatives announced today by the Government that coincide with the inaugural World EV Day, RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: 

“One-in-10 new cars sold in the UK last month were electric, so things are definitely moving in the right direction when it comes to take-up of greener vehicles. More, and faster charging points, at places where people spend time like at supermarkets and tourist destinations makes a lot of sense and will help banish for good any drivers’ worries over so-called ‘range anxiety’.

“But there remains a way to go, and while the sight of green parking spaces for priority parking could be an alluring prospect for some to go electric, it’s probably unlikely to be the strong trigger the Government wants to get more of us opting for an EV.

“Drivers continue to tell us that the biggest barrier to them opting for an electric car over one fuelled by petrol or diesel is the upfront cost. The price of running an electric car is much lower than a petrol or diesel one, but people need to be able to afford them in the first place. This will change as more manufacturers offer zero emission alternatives, but the impact of the pandemic on people’s finance is also likely to affect their ability to be able to trade up to an electric car.

“There is a genuine interest among drivers to go electric, but to take that leap of faith the Government might need some bolder fiscal action to nudge them across the zero-emission line.”

The RAC is the first UK breakdown assistance firm to offer bespoke services to drivers of electric cars, including its EV Boost and All-Wheels-Up technologies