Better charging and cheaper electricity – what will convince readers to buy an electric car

AChancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent budget has been criticized for failing to provide significant incentives to boost electric car sales, we ask independent Readers what would encourage them to switch from gasoline to electric vehicles.

Despite calls from the industry, Mr Hunt’s spring budget did not include concessions for private electric car buyers, such as halving VAT on new electric cars and reducing VAT on public charging.

Manufacturers have expressed concerns that a lack of such incentives could hinder their ability to meet the stringent targets outlined in the government’s zero-emission vehicle mandate.

From stronger charging networks to longer-range batteries and cheaper public charging prices, readers offered a variety of ideas on how to make electric vehicles more attractive.

This is what you have to say:

“Manufacturers need to build vehicles that match current availability”

If a product requires the government (i.e. taxpayers) to pay for incentives to get people to buy it, it doesn’t make much sense about the economics of making it.

If I buy a new electric version of my existing hatchback it will cost £10,000 more than an equivalent new petrol version, has higher running costs due to current higher electricity costs, has a shorter range and takes longer to ‘refuel’ (recharge ).

Manufacturers need to produce vehicles that match the availability of existing vehicles and have similar running costs, and then market forces will lead to the adoption of this new technology.

Jade

“Great to use”

When gas cars over 20 years old became too expensive to repair, we replaced them with electric cars.

It’s great to use, but we can charge it at home, which we do 95% of the time.

I drove it to Cardiff and back without delay, filling up the tank (every time) as I took my “comfort breaks”.Until the tank is almost empty, only petrol or diesel makes sense

John G

‘Cheaper electricity will be welcomed’

There is an “EV ONLY” sign in the space next to the charging light pole as I don’t have a driveway with my own charger and was trying to find a light pole that didn’t have a petrol or diesel car parked next to it to charge. very difficult. Cheaper electricity would also be welcome since I can’t generate my own electricity.

Maybe it’s just my estate in Tower Hamlets, but there’s a serious lack of fast chargers, so that’s a double whammy! Other than that, electric cars are great!

GrumpyG

“No need to accept a downgraded experience”

I would only consider buying an electric car if I could replicate what I can do now (including the cost of replacing the vehicle). I only need 6 gallons of diesel to drive from London to Manchester and back without having to stop for gas (400 miles). When I fill up, it doesn’t take more than 3 minutes, and I can always do it without having to wait for the pumps to idle, which are everywhere and within a short distance of each other.

Accepting anything less convenient or affordable would require me to change the way I travel, which I won’t agree with because there’s no point in accepting an experience that requires downgrading.

Voter

“Making electric cars better”

Yes. Make electric cars even better than they are now. This is motivation. Don’t bribe me by taking money from the hospital and saying you’ll give it to me if I make the worse choice.

red squirrel

“The auto industry’s push for electric vehicles is to save the industry, not the planet”

EV battery capacity is still poor and changes with temperature; batteries lose efficiency, which petrol and diesel engines simply don’t; charging infrastructure here is woefully inadequate both in capacity and charging speed – I refuse to wait 45 Minute+, drinking overpriced gray coffee in a deserted and dirty Wild Bean Café. EV fires are nearly impossible to put out easily if you’re involved in a serious crash during a frequent and stressful charging trip.

Additionally, range anxiety is still a problem, and there have been enough software issues to cause panic. What will happen to old and used batteries when the first wave of electric car batteries run out? We really don’t know. What are the environmental costs of increasing battery production? We really don’t know.

Finally, EVs have terrible depreciation and resale values. Surely it would be better for the environment for me to keep my existing, well-maintained and efficient five-year-old gas car that I drive about once a month than to scrap it and buy an electric car?

The auto industry is pushing electric vehicles to save the industry, not the planet. If electric cars do get subsidized, it will help city dwellers promoting their virtues and no one else.

untouchable

This article has been edited to reflect some comments.You can read the full discussion in the comments section Source article.

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