Obstacles to touring the country by electric car

SIR – There is certainly a case for buying an electric car to replace one powered by petrol or diesel for use on modest commutes.

It would be totally impractical, however, for a touring holiday: even in Britain, covering 300 miles a day is perfectly reasonable if you know that you will be able to refuel within a few minutes more or less anywhere. This becomes less feasible in an electric car requiring several hours parked at a charging point – if you can find one.

Sam Meadows’s article (Money, October 23) is vague in terms of cost comparisons. It says that a study by the University of Leeds is based on an annual petrol cost of £4,062. At £6 per gallon and 40 miles per gallon, this would require an annual mileage of more than 27,000 miles, whereas the average mileage in Britain is around 8,000.

It also states that “annual road tax can cost hundreds of pounds”, but a typical new petrol or diesel car after the first year currently costs just £140 a year. I have yet to read any article promoting electric cars that gives an accurate idea of the life of the rechargeable batteries – or the cost of replacement.

John Graham Kendal, Cumbria

SIR – I am sure that Bruce Proctor (Letters, October 24) has no reason to worry: powerful intellects in the Treasury will doubtless come up with new ways of taxing cars and electricity.

First there is the tax on a new car, which at present is not charged on electric cars. A similar concession was introduced by Gordon Brown to entice people to buy small cars with engines under 1,000cc. When this had been done the concession was cancelled.

Introducing a tax on the electricity used to power cars is more problematic. Road pricing might at last be introduced. This would obviate the need for fuel tax and Vehicle Excise Duty. It would take a bit of preparation but would be much fairer.

Nicholas Wightwick Rossett, Denbighshire