A new organisation has been launched to educate drivers on the benefits of electric cars to boost uptake across the UK and slash the number of petrol and diesel vehicles.
Octopus Electric Vehicles and Fully Charged Show have teamed up to launch “Electric Vehicles UK” with hopes of scaling up the organisation within the coming months.
Speaking at a launch event at Octopus HQ in London, the founder of Octopus Energy Group Greg Jackson, called on the sector to discover the “very clear advantages” of EVs.
More than 120 industry experts from across the UK’s electric vehicle, renewables and green technology sectors came together to celebrate the launch of the new organisation.
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The new organisation aims to help drivers adjust to EVs
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The experts highlighted how Government incentives for electric vehicles have impacted the sale of EVs over the last year, as seen across the continent.
Labour’s pre-election manifesto indicated that it would reinstate the 2030 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans although this is yet to be announced.
It said this change would give manufacturers reassurance that they will be supported in their transition to electric cars, as well as helping drivers have confidence in the vehicles.
Electric Vehicles UK will be spearheaded by Interim CEO Dan Caesar for the first 12 months, after which a permanent, full-time CEO will be appointed.
Commenting on the launch, he said: “Electric vehicles have become something of a lightning rod for headline writers, guaranteeing as they do, a significant number of hits.
“By uniting under the ‘Electric Vehicles UK’ brand we believe we can be much more effective in communicating information and factual evidence of the good, and the bad, aspects of EV ownership.”
Recent research from the EV industry found that more than nine in 10 owners of battery electric cars wouldn’t choose to go back to an internal combustion engine vehicle.
On the other hand, almost half of petrol and diesel drivers are considering the switch to an electric vehicle, with many planning to do so in the coming years.
A staggering 96 per cent of EV owners are also planning to buy another car, while a handful already have more than two electric cars.
The new industry body will help drivers assess facts about electric vehicles at a time when conflicting information can present potential consumers with issues.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “As the UK’s largest electric-only leasing company, we see first hand how much drivers love these cars.
“They’re cheaper to run, packed with the latest tech and great fun to drive. But we know that misinformation, or a lack of clarity at least, is holding some potential buyers back.
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More than 120 industry experts attended the launch event yesterday
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“We are proud to be the lead partner for ‘Electric Vehicles UK’, and to enable the industry to better communicate the benefits of electric car ownership.”
