When British physicist, Michael Faraday, discovered electromagnetic induction back in 1831 he wouldn’t have realised that more than 2 centuries later we would be using his invention to drive electric cars. Okay, I daresay there was probably a lot more he never thought about too.
The electric car revolution (a bit like a lot of revolutions) has apparently lost its appeal, according to the RAC foundation. It all began with the government (ho, ho doesn’t it always?). The scheme was to promote ‘green’ vehicles, with hefty taxpayer – who else? – subsidies of up to five grand per vehicle.
According to the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, based at the Department for Transport, interest has stalled to the point where only 215 cars were bought under the scheme over the last three months and a total of 680 since the launch at the start of the year.
The Government sees electric cars as a vital tool in cutting the country’s carbon emissions. Didn’t they think about something a bit simpler and less expensive, like a tracking device?
The Coalition has allocated £400 million for the project, including implementing a network of charging points on every street corner (another tax gobble).Well, with a national car fleet of 28 million vehicles, that’s a big network.
“Despite the lower fuel costs associated with electric cars,” Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation comments, “the high purchase price means it will take owners several years to reap the financial benefits…”
If you think about it, a portable tracking unit, one that you just plonk in the car and away you go, seems a much better bet. You can monitor all the stuff on carbon emissions, plan alternative routes when roads are jammed and monitor fuel consumption. Surely, if drivers could be better trained to save on fuel with better driving performance, this would be a big help. Btw, for a few great tips on this go to our blog
Another thing, electricity rates vary with time of day. So will you always be able to plug in during the early hours of the morning when rates are lowest? How do you figure out how much it will cost you to charge your vehicle every month?
A DFL spokesman defended the programme. “We are committed to supporting the early market for low emission vehicles in the UK,” he says. All very well but the RAC declare: “Low carbon vehicle has been less than electrifying.” Sounds like it needs a power surge.
I’d go for a simple tracking device, and use your mobile or iPhone. Keep the tax payer happy too.
Anyone else have any views on this? Drop me a line…
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