Study: Motorists less stressed in electric vehicles

WE OWE THEM A DUTY OF CARE TO PROVIDE THE BEST WORKING ENVIRONMENT — AND THIS STUDY SHOWS THAT DRIVING OUR ELECTRIC CAB HAS A CLEAR BENEFIT FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING Chris Gubbey, London EV Company

Motorists will be less stressed when everyone is driving electric cars, a new UK study says — but is that really the case?

The study claims that electric vehicles (EVs) are less stressful to drive than diesel cars. And they could have significant mental health benefits.

After monitoring the mental activity of taxi drivers at the wheel of a diesel model and then an electric car, the measurements suggested that the quieter driving environment of the latter had a more positive effect on the wellbeing of the cabbie.

However, the study contradicts various motorist polls that claimed stress is one of the main reasons why uptake of electric cars has been slow in the UK. Range anxiety — caused by the limited distances electric cars can travel on a single charge — is still one of the major concerns for potential buyers, other research has highlighted.

Readings from measurements taken using an electroencephalogram — also referred to as a “brain cap” — fitted to the driver’s head found that taxi drivers were more focused when driving an electric taxi than they were in a diesel one.

Higher levels of beta brain wave activity were recorded by drivers in the electric vehicle, which indicates higher levels of active concentration.

Drivers were also found to be significantly calmer when at the

controls of an electric car.

Further measurements found heart rates were more consistent than when driving a diesel vehicle, indicating greater mental calmness.

And additional driver survey data showed the largest improved state felt by the drivers was increased happiness in the quieter, zero-emissions taxi.

The study was conducted by the London EV Company (LEVC), which produces the latest plug-in TX electric taxi that will replace older diesel models over the coming years. It therefore has an interest in promoting the benefits of electric cars.

With the help of academics from the University of York, drivers were hooked up to monitoring systems to measure any changes in stress when driving a diesel and electric vehicle.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC said: “Given that cabbies spend up to 12 hours a day driving, the vehicle is their office. We owe them a duty of care to provide the best working environment — and this study shows that driving our electric cab has a clear benefit for mental well-being.”

Dr Duncan Williams for the University of York added: “The study suggests that the quieter driving environment allowed cabbies to be in a more concentrated state of mind.”

However, the results conflicted the findings of other research that identified stress as one of the biggest reasons motorists haven’t yet bought into electric cars. A Department for Transport’s 2015 report found limited range and range anxiety as key barriers.

In one UK survey, more than 70 per cent of respondents stated that they would worry about not being able to travel as far as they needed.