Costs are not just financial

Sir, – In his criticism of funding for electric cars, Clark Cross (letters, October 5) seems to have missed the point that pollution from conventional cars contributes to the premature deaths of tens of thousands of people each year.

That cost is too high. Sticking a money price on this, and on the wider health effects, is in no way a satisfactory thing to do.

However, I think Clark Cross would find such a value far exceeds the public money being spent on electric cars.

Perhaps Clark Cross is suggesting we charge users of conventional cars the full cost of this damage?

I’m not sure that would be popular with those who cannot afford a new car.

But, it begs the question of what is actually subsidised.

For multiple reasons, it is a good idea to encourage a move to electric vehicles.

We’re not as good at this as Norway: 45% of new car sales there are electric, 60% if you include plug-in hybrids.

Adding the costs of using a car to the costs of purchase, the evidence is mounting electric cars are actually cheaper.

Cheaper batteries will only increase this advantage. This will lead to everybody paying less for their cars.

Gordon Pay.

Eden Park, Cupar.