Calls for EV owners to check tyres during charging breaks
TYRESAFE is calling on drivers to “take charge” of their safety by conducting vital tyre checks while waiting for their batteries to charge.
This crucial period, often filled with scrolling on phones, grabbing a sandwich, or dozing in the front seat, presents an opportunity that could be life-saving if used to ensure tyre safety.
The ACT acronym – Air, Condition, Tread – provides simple yet effective guidance on checks that can be done without specialist equipment. By taking just a few minutes to inspect their tyres, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and breakdowns.
Claire Tonks, Business Development Manager at PCL, said: “When tyres are not correctly inflated, braking performance is affected, which can lead to dangerous, even fatal, situations. This applies to all vehicles, including EVs. Accurate inflation also extends tyre lifespan, significantly so with EVs, and checking pressure and tread takes just 10 minutes. The ideal time for drivers to do this would be whilst waiting for their car to charge. Sadly, the majority EV stations are not offering an inflation service with full Air, Water and Screen wash provision. This would not only boost their own station revenue, but would also encourage vital, cost saving maintenance checks that could prevent accidents.”
TyreSafe and PCL are urging all electric vehicle drivers to remember the ACT acronym during their charging breaks:
A for Air: Ensure tyres are inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
C for Condition: Check for any cuts, bulges, or other signs of damage on the tyre’s sidewalls.
T for Tread: Make sure the tyre tread meets the minimum legal requirement of 1.6mm and consider changing tyres if tread depth is nearing this limit.
By incorporating these checks into their routine, electric vehicle drivers can contribute to safer roads for all.
EXPERTS from Uswitch have looked at the different cost factors while learning to drive to reveal exactly how much it costs to learn to drive in the UK. What new driver will need to pay for: Provisional licence: £34 (£43 if done by post)
Test car: £30
Practical test: £62 (£75 on weekends) Theory test: £23
Driving lesson: £25-£45 per hour Minimum cost: £1,274
Source: RAC
How does the UK compare to other countries:
Unlike other countries, the UK has a ‘pay as you go’ method, meaning that if you fail either test, you will have to pay the full test price again until you obtain a pass. Your theory test is valid for two years, and within this time frame, you must pass your practical to avoid paying for a theory test again.
This means the minimum cost you can expect to pay to learn how to drive in the UK is around £1,274. With students needing around 45 hours of lessons (according to the RAC) before a practical test, this is the minimum you can expect to pay, and this is without car insurance.
Depending on where you live within the UK, driving lesson prices and demand can fluctuate. However, legal documents will stay the same price for all parts of the country.
Leoni Moninska, car insurance expert at Uswitch adds: ‘The main thing to remember is that if you decide to take your driving test abroad or start learning to drive in a different country, you have to obey their rules of the road.
When it comes to driving, everyone is different. Even though there are minimum costs for driving in different countries, don’t stop learning until you are fully confident to take your test. If you are driving abroad at any time, make sure your driving licence, MOT, and car insurance are valid in the country that you’re driving in, and check if you need an international driving permit.”