Exclusive: Leading industry figures hit back at anti-EV stories in national media
Leading figures from the clean transport and energy sectors have hit back at recent anti-electric vehicle stories in the national media and warned that the negativity is threatening consumer confidence in EVs, car industry investment and sector jobs.
FairCharge along with representatives from Pod Point, Tusker, Octopus Electric Vehicles, Osprey Charging Network, Transport & Environment, the Fully Charged SHOW, Allye and Electrifying.com say that the articles in pockets of mainstream media need to be met with more balance and facts; whilst recognising that actual challenges need to be addressed and not ignored.
The senior industry figures polled by national EV campaign group FairCharge agree that reporting needs to be more even handed, but also not one-sided in either direction. They say that negativity towards EVs and related charging infrastructure needs to be FACT-checked, balanced and accurate.
Dr Andy Palmer, Interim CEO at Pod Point said: “Some of the reporting in the media is plain nonsense. However, some of the countering is also overzealous, and counterintuitive. We need balance, not polarisation. We hear the word collaboration touted a lot, what we need to see is tangible collaboration for a successful energy transition. The charging industry is making great strides to deliver to the 2030 targets and will continue to do so. We need to see the transition towards electrification powered by public and privatepartnerships, driven by concerns around climate change. Let’s drive positive change together, not create an EV culture war.”
Paul Gilshan, CEO of Tusker, noted: “The anti-electric rhetoric is not helping the transition to EVs to meet with Government targets, but it’s also not our experience with salary sacrifice drivers. We’re helping hundreds of people every month into affordable electric vehicles – 91% of our deliveries in 2023 have a plug, so the appetite for electric is certain. The negativity in the press is not representative of reality. A balanced view, containing facts about EVs and the charging network, supporting the developments in infrastructure and from manufacturers, is what’s needed.”
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, commented: “The 2030 petrol/diesel ban is critical to stopping the UK from becoming the dumping ground for dirty cars as the world transitions to cleaner, greener vehicles.
“The industry has come such a long way in a short time, but we’ve got to keep our foot on the accelerator. The sad reality is that 36,000 people die every year in the UK from air pollution – heavily impacted by fossil fuel burning cars. If the water industry was killing 100 people a day, there’d be national outrage.
“Electric cars are not only great for the planet – they’re fun to drive, there’s over 100 models to choose from, and drivers can save up to £1,000 a year by filling with green energy at home. There’s a lot of misinformation about going electric – but good news travels fast. As more people get behind the wheel, they’ll quickly tell anyone that will listen about the benefits – try it yourself!”
Recent Zapmap charging statistics show that the rate of electric vehicle charge point installation has increased by over 80% and there are now more than 170 ultra-rapid hubs across the UK.
Ian Johnston, CEO Osprey Charging Network, said: “There’s a wave of anti-electric vehicle articles in certain pockets of the mainstream media at the moment. The reality is the industry is working hard to make sure the country is fighting fit for 2030 (and indeed before). As CEO of Osprey I am well aware of the challenges we are all facing, but the reality is those challenges do not include bigger pot holes, more carbon emissions, collapsing bridges nor carparks and all of the other nonsense that is being touted. EVs are part of the solution to a sustainable future, and indeed help deliver cleaner air and lessen the burden on the public health system. Things are going from strength to strength, we are seeing a vast deployment of charging infrastructure to allow us to make the transition, and any watering down of environmental targets can only be a bad thing for society, it’s people and the air we breathe. We must fight FUD with facts, no nonsense.”
Ginny Buckley, Founder & CEO of Electrifying.com, remarked: “There is clearly a polarisation of opinion when it comes to electric cars and the negativity we’re seeing at the moment is knocking consumer confidence. But despite the inflammatory rhetoric, some of the arguments can’t be ignored. We know that drivers have valid concerns about making the switch, and both industry and government need to take these seriously.
“We must address the issue of affordability, help those who can’t charge at home through a reduction on VAT on public chargers, and ensure our national charging infrastructure is accessible to all so we bring everyone along on the journey.
“We’ve made great strides, but I believe we need to work together to embrace the issues and come up with solutions, rather than paper over the cracks with bullish sentiment. Fair, balanced, and honest debate is the only way to ensure a successful energy transition.”
New registrations of battery-electric vehicles (BEV) are at record levels with 152,968 deliveries so far this year – 13 times greater than in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Quentin Willson, Founder of FairCharge, stated: “The unprecedented attack on EVs has surprised everybody. Much is factually wrong; there’s little balance and a great deal is nonsense. FairCharge is asking for the debate on electrification to be accurate, fair and factual. There are 1.2 million people in the UK who drive plug-in cars – it’s time the media represented their voices rather than some commentators and journalists who have never driven an electric car.”
Robert Llewellyn, Founder of the Fully Charged SHOW: “In 13 years of reporting on electric vehicles and clean energy, we cannot recall a time when anti-electric car rhetoric has been so widespread and so severe.
”The reality is that consumers around the world are voting with their feet and buying more and more battery electric vehicles despite this needless negativity. In the UK, the opportunity still remains for us to play a part in the new energy and transport paradigm, but misinformation will only leave us stranded in the past.”
Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director at Transport & Environment, said: ”Cars going full electric in the next decade is essential for us to have a fighting chance to combat climate change. But it requires a transformative change to everything from car manufacturing to infrastructure to global supply chains. So, it’s understandable that some are scared. But rather than play on those fears, it is the responsibility of governments, media, and experts out there to provide evidence, rooted in true facts and good faith. Crucially, with the policy direction set, it should be all hands-on deck to make the transition work: ramp-up seamless charging network, build battery factories, secure responsibly sourced minerals and reskill workers. Rather than seeding doubt, we need a joint-up effort to succeed.”
Jonathan Carrier, Co-Founder Allye, said: “What I find most disturbing are the tactics deployed to spread disinformation. This includes what appears to be a coordinated approach on specific topics, the lack of due diligence around the claims made which are easily debunked, and the fact FUD happens in waves. At a time when we need to accelerate EV adoption to support decarbonisation of the transport sector, we need to encourage responsible reporting. That does not mean we sugar-coat stories any more than depicting EVs as the root of all evil. I believe we should establish an independent industry body to ‘fact check’ claims made, to challenge the FUD and bring balance. The industry needs to build trust with the consumer.”
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
