Electricvehicles

A recent survey by the energy regulator Ofgem shows clearly that, while the British public considers electric vehicles as a possibility, the reality is that they are not currently interested in buying them.

There are quite a number of problems, other than financial, that the ‘man-in-thestreet’ has spotted and which the vehicle manufacturers seem to overlook.

Lack of public charging points is one major issue, as is the range available to electric vehicles. Few people realise that the use of car heating in winter, along with increased wiper and light usage will considerably deplete the already meagre mileage range.

Regarding home-based charging points .... The general 60 amp domestic powerrating has to be raised to 100 amp rating and such a change is both costly and somewhat inconvenient as it depends on the entry point of the main cable to the building and its distance from the cabling in the street outside.

Another ‘hidden charge’ is the possibility of the enormous cost of a replacement battery. This week I have seen photographs of about 50 small electric cars which were initially purchased by the City Council of Paris, and which now lie in a specially restricted dump in France because all their batteries have failed and, the cost of replacement batteries has turned out to be dearer than the value of the vehicles themselves!

The ‘scrapyard’ is off limits because of the toxic ingredients leaking from those batteries! That’s why the old adage, “Caveat emptor” must surely apply when buying an electric vehicle! ARCHIBALD A LAWRIE

Kingskettle, Fife