Charging electric cars

SIR – Many letters commenting on the Government’s plans to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2040 have shown a lack of knowledge of electric vehicles.

I drive an all-electric vehicle made by Tesla that will travel 250-300 miles without recharging. Fast chargers distributed throughout the motorway network can provide 60 per cent charge within 20 minutes and 80 per cent charge in 40 minutes. This is no more than the time needed for a coffee break after a three- or four-hour drive.

The only issue to be addressed is the high initial cost of such vehicles – but changes are already under way, with mid-priced cars due to be available from 2018. Over the next few years, higher production volumes will continue to drive the price lower.

Keith Roy Monmouth