A cross-party section of parliamentarians took to the roads of Westminster in a fleet of new and used battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) as part of an Electric Vehicles UK initiative to combat misinformation.
The event offered parliamentarians the opportunity first-hand to witness the cost, performance and environmental impact of BEVs.
Held at the County Hall Marriott, it was created to close the widening gap between fact and fiction around BEVs, and to ensure MPs are not “taken for a ride” by misleading or outdated claims.
The experience gave policymakers the opportunity to drive or ride in BEVs – including used and affordable models – explore real-world affordability data, engage with industry experts, and see cutting-edge battery electric cars and vans in action.
It comes as recent research by Electric Vehicles UK discovered the public knowledge gap on BEVs. Some 87% of BEV owners said they would have switched even sooner if they understood the lower running costs, with 81% unaware that used BEVs were on average £2,781 cheaper than their petrol equivalents.
In addition, 94% said they would never return to petrol, diesel, or hybrid, with 78% citing lower running costs as the main reason.
The event also highlighted the urgent need to address toxic air pollution. According to Public Health England, air pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to health in the UK, contributing to up to 36,000 early deaths annually. Road transport remains one of the largest contributors to NO₂ and PM emissions – a burden disproportionately borne by low-income and urban communities.
Dan Caesar, spokesperson for Electric Vehicles UK, said:
“Battery EV affordability is very poorly understood and dramatically undersold. Electric Vehicles UK data shows that switching to electric offers an average total saving of £5,850 over ownership, and that used BEVs are on average £2,781 cheaper than conventional cars.Yet this isn’t widely understood by all stakeholders, not least policymakers.”
Perran Moon, Member of Parliament for Camborne and Redruth, said:
“The UK has passed the tipping point when it comes to EVs. Although the product supply is coming through, we still have challenges with infrastructure, and the Government should be doing more to promote the uptake of EVs, focusing on much lower whole life costs and the benefits to the environment.”
Brendan O’Hara, SNP Member of Parliament for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, said:
“Representing and travelling around a massive rural constituency is not without its challenges, and while I have often thought about purchasing an electric vehicle, concerns about range and the charging infrastructure have always prevented me from doing so.
“Improvements to both the range of the cars and to the charging set-up, however, have persuaded me that it is entirely possible to take long journeys, even on rural roads, in the most remote parts of the UK. And so, I’m now really looking forward to taking delivery of my first electric car next week.”
Thom Groot, CEO of The Electric Car Scheme, said:
“This wasn’t just a briefing, it was a real-world encounter with the future of transport.
“MPs saw how battery EVs are becoming increasingly accessible, but also the barriers that remain. While salary sacrifice has been a significant boost from the government to help overcome affordability challenges, there are many areas – like public charging and general misinformation – which could be addressed better by stronger policy.”
Victoria Edmonds, CEO from Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England, added:
“Our members consistently tell us that battery EVs are cleaner and cheaper to run, particularly for those with a driveway, but they need stronger policy support to make EV ownership an affordable reality for everyone.”
Jamie Fretwell, Communications Manager at Jameel Motors UK, said:
“We’re pleased to support Electric Vehicles with its efforts to demystify EV technology for UK lawmakers.
“Commercial vehicles play a critical role in the UK’s decarbonisation journey – electric vans like the Farizon SV are not only great for reducing emissions, but they can also deliver significant savings on running costs for businesses. Supporting the shift to zero-emission vehicles for all drivers is essential if we’re to meet climate goals and improve air quality in our communities.”
Ric Boullemier, @sustainabledad.com and Director at Generate Media, which supported the event’s coordination and content, said:
“These MPs are literally driving change. Putting themselves in the driving seat so that they can share accurate information on the front benches and to their constituents. The UK could be leaders in electrification, but everyone needs to be pulling in the right direction. Events like this from EVUK are a brilliant step forward.”
Image courtesy of Electric Vehicles UK
