Sunday, September 8, 2024
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EVA England launches EV Drivers’ Manifesto

EVA England has launched its EV Drivers’ Manifesto 2024 which identifies the key priority areas that are essential to address as the uptake of electric vehicles continues to grow. 

The EV members’ association launched the manifesto in Westminster yesterday, hosting a special evening reception to mark the launch. The event, sponsored by Octopus EV and kindly hosted by the Shadow Minister for Roads, Bill Esterson MP, was an opportunity for EVA members from across the country to engage with parliamentarians and many key stakeholders in the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. The launch featured a keynote speech from Anthony Browne MP, Government Minister for Decarbonisation, and was attended by key parliamentarians closely involved in the EV landscape, including Ian Stewart MP, Chair of the Transport Committee, Matt Western MP, Chair of the APPG for Electric Vehicles. 

The EV Drivers’ Manifesto 2024 has been shaped directly by and for EV drivers through a series of EVA England workshops. It identifies the key priority areas that are essential to address next as the uptake of EVs continues to grow, helping move the UK ever closer to a majority of EVs composing its mobility landscape. 

In much the same way that Government support has been key to securing the initial take-off phase in EVs over the past few years, targeted support will be needed to ensure the next phase of uptake is fair and equitable, inclusive of all income levels, and able to support a growing and complexifying set of charging and access needs. The Manifesto has been structured around the following 5 key pillars:

  1. Fairer charging costs. The public charging network must be fairly and consistently priced as more drivers rely mostly on public charging. Diverting green levies towards gas or general taxation would avoid penalising EV drivers with higher electricity consumption, whilst lowering VAT on public charging would address the discrepancy with lower private charging costs.
  1. Liberate charging provision. Charge Point Operators (CPOs) have the experience and data to know where and what type of charging is needed in a rapidly evolving EV landscape. CPOs should be granted greater statutory powers, in line with major telecoms and electricity providers, to unlock a new wave of infrastructure at lower costs. Further targeted schemes should be aimed at supporting new destination and home charging points to support a growing demand.
  1. Lower insurance premiums. Insurance premiums have risen at alarming rates in the past year alone. EVs are particularly affected as a more nascent market with lower levels of data. Insurers should be mandated to have a share of EV offerings that is reflective of current uptake. 
  1. Enforce accessibility standards. 1.35 million disabled drivers are expected on UK roads by 2035. The current charging infrastructure does not meet their needs in the vast majority of cases. Working accessibility standards are already in place – their implementation for new charging points should be mandated.
  1. Democratise EV uptake and drive demand. Despite hugely encouraging numbers in uptake, EV sales remain concentrated in higher income brackets. Targeted, cost-effective schemes should be implemented to enable lower-income households to take part in the green transition, for example by mandating salary sacrifice schemes, and offering highly targeted social leasing schemes and 0% loans already implemented in other countries.

Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central and Shadow Minister for Roads, says:

“It has been a delight to welcome EVA England and the EV community in Parliament for this event. As we move forward with the transition towards sustainable transport, it is vital that the voices of EV drivers, both current and prospective, remain heard and that their needs are met. I look forward to working with dedicated members’ associations like EVA England to ensure our progress towards net zero is inclusive, affordable, and fair for all.”

James Court, CEO of EVA England, says:

“This manifesto puts EV drivers themselves at the heart of future policy, and shows the way forward for the winner of the next general election. 92% of drivers are overwhelmingly satisfied with the EV experience, making the future of sustainable mobility such an exciting prospect. This manifesto is a blueprint to maintaining this positive outlook, presenting solutions to ensuring our charging infrastructure continues to grow and meet all needs, and that EV costs allow the transition to be fair and equal. EVA England look forward to working with policymakers to make this happen.”

Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus EV, says:

“It’s a huge pleasure to support EVA England launch their Manifesto at the heart of Westminster. With over 1 million EVs on UK roads, who better to help us shape future policy than those drivers experiencing it every day. We find drivers love the cars – from the smooth acceleration to the amazing tech on board – and of course, the huge savings on running costs. UK policy has encouraged investment in charging and made EVs more affordable through schemes like salary sacrifice. It’s great to see a clear list of asks from EV drivers shared today through EVA England.

Paul Radford, EVA Member, says:

“It’s been inspirational to attend this manifesto launch and hear from the MPs and their thoughts on how they will improve our experience in driving and charging, as well as develop our infrastructure. I have been an EV driver for the last two and half years and I found the experience fantastic. I wouldn’t go back to a petrol car. The charging experience is getting easier and it’s great to see more and more actual electric drivers out there.”

Image courtesy of EVA England.

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