Electric Vehicles UK (EVUK) brought its EV Ride-Along programme to the Labour Party Conference this week.
The event aimed to to give parliamentarians, councillors and policy leaders the chance to go beyond reports and briefings and discover what EVs mean for their constituents: from affordability and cost savings to cleaner air and smarter, accessible charging.
Guests from across Merseyside rode in a range of new and used BEVs, spoke with experienced drivers and industry experts, and saw firsthand how battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are cheaper and better.
The event follows on from the success of EVUK’s first Ride-Along pilot in Westminster this July, where the feedback from MPs was clear: experience builds confidence and changes minds.
What attendees experienced:
- Live drive-along briefings in Liverpool city streets in a range of EV models, including a BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort, MG S5 EV Trophy LR, and a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD.
- Myth-busting Q&A using up-to-date market data and owner experience, and focused on the practical questions constituents ask most, such as:
- How much does an EV really cost to run? Is charging reliable and accessible? What works for people without driveways or with mobility needs?
Why real-world EV experience matters:
- Closing the confidence gap: Many drivers still underestimate the savings and overestimate the challenges of EV ownership and charging. Hands-on EV experience equips MPs with the facts they need to bust myths and build their constituents’ confidence.
- Ensuring equity: Around 40% of UK drivers lack a driveway and rely on public charging. By seeing first-hand how on-street and near-home charging works, MPs can reassure constituents that the infrastructure is already in place — and growing.
- Driving local delivery: Councils decide where chargers go, issue permits and set design standards. Giving local leaders real-world exposure to EV ownership is crucial for ensuring chargers are sited nearby, are reliable and accessible, and meet the needs of all residents.
August was the strongest month yet for EV sales in 2025, with BEVs reaching record market share. But progress doesn’t sustain itself, we need to keep building understanding and confidence if the UK is to stay on track. That’s why giving policymakers passenger-seat experience is more important than ever.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK, said:
“Our Ride-Along programme shows just how powerful real-world EV experience can be in busting myths and building confidence.
“When policymakers get into the passenger seat, they see first-hand that EVs are cheaper to run, cleaner for our air and easy to charge — and they return to their constituents equipped with the facts to back the transition.”
Image courtesy of EVUK
