Written evidence from S Patel (ELV0002)
1.What are the main obstacles to the achievement of the Government’s 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates? Are the phase-out dates realistic and achievable? If not, what steps should the Government take to make the phase-out dates achievable? Yes the phase out dates are achievable. Technology progress in battery and manufacturing will very soon provide caves on par with ice vehicles. Add to that due to increasing current ev market seeding into affordable 2nd hand EVs The main obstacles are political uncertainty. Inaccurate reporting by media. Rather than phase-out people are believing that it will be illegal for them to drive their existing fossil fuel vehicles after 2030. The complete phase out dates will take till 2050 in reality
2. Do the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates serve their purpose to incentivise the development of an EV market in the UK? To what extent are car makers focusing on one date or the other? What are the impacts of the deadlines on the ability of the UK supply chain to benefit and how could the Government seek to further support the development of the UK EV industry? Would the introduction of a plan with key dates and timescales support the development of the EV industry in the UK?
Car makers, EV charge installers , business and consumers need certainty. Reaching our net zero climate objectives requires nudging for the greater good of society
Look at the other G7 countries and majority have invested heavily in the next Industrial Revolution. We require investment in mining and refining lithium, battery manufacturing for EVs and storage, incentives to allow car manufacturers to have frictionless movements of parts to manufacture and sell EVs in both UK and round the world
Offer incentives to public to adopt EVs. Scrappage allowances or 0% finance , reduced VAT on public charging
3. What specific national policies, regulations or initiatives have been successful, or have hindered, EV adoption to date? Are these policies or initiatives fit for purpose?
Initial ev grants and home charger grants , tax reliefs have been successful as witnessed by year on year growth in EVs .
The abrupt removal of some of these didn’t inspire confidence in the Govt commitment .
Prices of EVs are too high. This I believe is purposeful by manufacturers to ensure existing ice lineup remain profitable whilst they transition to ev over next decade. However, price competition from Chinese EVs will bring disruption to this model soon.
4. Given that the Government should apply a behavioural lens to policy—which involves people making changes to their everyday lives, such as what they purchase and use—is there a role for clearer communication of the case for EVs from the Government? If so, who should take the lead on delivering that?
Yes, why aren’t the PM and cabinet seen using EV’s? Should come from the top
5. What is your view on the accuracy of the information in the public domain relating to EVs and their usage?
Full of disinformation by I’ll informed journalists or by design as part of an agenda against any change regardless of its benefits.
6. What are the overall environmental benefits that would result from achieving the 2030 and 2035 targets?
One just has to see the current news in summer of 2023 about the extremes in weather across Europe and the globe. This will only increase.
If 2030/35 targets are achieved by UK, not only will we put down a marker for others to follow but hopefully it contributes towards containing global warming . As warmer oceans leading to melting of ice caps will have a tremendous impact on our country with flooding in some regions and increased pressure of people seeking safe haven from counties most affected by heatwaves and sea levels rising
7. What are the likely costs that will be faced by consumers as a result of the Government’s phase-out dates for non-zero emissions vehicles? Are there policies or initiatives that the Government could use to specifically target barriers arising from unpredictable costs to the consumer, for example significant fluctuations in the cost of electricity, changes to road taxes, or the introduction of low emission zones?
EV Market and Acquiring an EV
These questions relate to the UK EV market and uptake of EVs by UK consumers.
8. What are the main routes for acquiring an EV? Which aspects of these routes are working well, and which aspects could be improved?
Care leasing privately or via employee salary sacrifice schemes
Due to the rapidly changing nature of battery technology, leasing an ev is more prudent to avoid negative residuals
9. What are the main consumer barriers to acquiring an EV, either through purchasing, leasing, or other routes?
Price, Availability
10. How is the Government helping to ensure that EVs are affordable and accessible for consumers, and are these approaches fit for purpose?
Zero road tax helped, benefits in ULEZ , tax reliefs (BIK CGT) , reduced vat on electricity for home charging
Need to extend to public charging
Need to offer zero VAT on purchase of EVs by classing as renewable. Boosting uptake
Potentially many EVs will form part of the home energy solution with V2G capability
11. Do you think the range of EVs on offer in the UK is sufficient to meet market needs? Which segments are under-served and why? Why is the UK market not seeing low cost EVs, particularly in comparison to China?
Disinformation of EVs
Decline in British motor industry
Require small cheap EVs that do 150- 200miles. Would suit many for around town driving
Need to allow Chinese EVs makers who are 10yrs ahead of majority traditional vehicle manufacturers to expand easily in UK
12. What is the future role of L-segment and personal light electric vehicles, and how will that impact car ownership and usage? What is inhibiting their uptake?
13. What is your assessment of the current second-hand EV market? How is the second-hand EV market projected to develop between now and the phase out dates?
Lifeblood of used ev market is the UK Fleet market. supply constraints due to pandemic and semi conductor shortages 2020-23 has seen material impact on the vehicles entering the use market. This is easing witnessed by fleet Tesla Model 3s from 2019/2020 now flooding the used ev market reducing used prices .
This will only increase as the consistent month in month increase in new ev sales feed through
14. What is the relationship between EV leasing and the second-hand market and how do they interrelate?
Most common lease terms are 3yrs . As constraints due to pandemic and semi conductor shortages 2020-23 that seen material impact on the vehicles entering the used market ease. EV leasing cars will predominantly the main source of 2nd had cars. With large fleets from NHS solutions and other salary sacrifice providers
15. What barriers are there to achieving a sufficient supply of second-hand EVs, mindful that second-hand vehicles make up a high proportion of all vehicles purchased?
16. What is the value and role of alternative transport models such as car clubs and micro mobility vehicles in the Government achieving the 2030 phase out date, and how should the Government consider their roles and opportunities for use in transport decarbonisation?
17. Are consumers charged higher rates of insurance for an EV when compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, and if so, are these higher rates justified? Can the Government do anything to mitigate this?
Some EVs are very powerful vehicles and higher rates are understandable. However, EVs appear to be subject to higher insurance due to uncertainty around repairs and parts availability insurers seem to have built in.
Experience of using an EV
18. What are the main challenges that UK consumers face in their use of EVs?
Ability to make Payment via contactless credit or debit card
Lack of Destination chargers at hotels, holiday and leisure facilities. One can leave car on slow charge and not require rapid charging
More charging hubs with a large qty of rapid chargers .
Maximum 30mins stay at rapid charger. Should be sufficient for most and allow turnover
19. What are the main benefits that UK consumers could realise from using an EV?
It’s just better to drive. Performance, comfort and safety
Environmentally no emissions
Rarely need to use brakes due to regenerative braking
Convenient to charge at home
Cost savings over petrol or diesel with home charging
Minimal maintenance
20. How prepared are car dealerships, service networks, repairs and maintenance organisations, breakdown services and aftermarket suppliers to meet the growing EV uptake?
Positive experience with VW thus far . Clearly a vast shortage of trained technicians if all vehicles will transition in next 20yrs
21. How does the charging infrastructure for EVs need to develop to meet the 2030 target? Does the UK need to adopt a single charging standard (e.g., the Combined Charging System (CCS)) or is there room in the market for multiple charger types?
CCS appears to be default in UK & Europe. However, wouldn’t want to stifle innovation
22. The Government recently published the draft legislation of “Public Charge Point Regulations 2023”. What assessment have you made of the draft legislation text, and what contribution will it make in ensuring the charging experience is standardized and reliable for consumers?
23. What assessment do you make of the requirements set out in the draft legislation of “Public Charge Point Regulations 2023” for charge point operators to make data free and publicly available, and how may this improve the EV charging experience for consumers?
24. In terms of charging infrastructure, are there unique barriers facing consumers in areas of low affluence and/or multi-occupancy buildings, such as shared housing or high-rise flats? Do you consider public EV charging points to be accessible and equitable compared to home-charging points? What can be done to improve accessibility and equitability?
25. Is there a financial benefit to the consumer of choosing an EV over an ICE vehicle? Are there further benefits, aside from financial, that a consumer may gain from EV use?
Cost savings over petrol or diesel with home charging & Minimal maintenance
It’s just better to drive. Performance, comfort and safety
Environmentally no emissions
Rarely need to use brakes due to regenerative braking
Convenient to charge at home
Increased Functionally with auto heating in winter allowing minimal de-icing and time savings
End of life disposal of EVs
26. What options are there for consumers for end-of-life management of batteries and EVs, and what impact does this have on consumer attitudes towards buying an EV?
15year old Nissan Leaf batteries are currently having 2nd life as home battery storage. The lifecycle of EV batteries are much longer than public perceptions.
27. What are the current regulations and responsibilities of disposal and recycling for EVs, and how effective are they? How much of the battery can be recycled from a technical standpoint, and how much of that is economically feasible?
28. Is there a risk that the residual value of EVs may be lower than the value of the EV as a source of recoverable critical minerals, and how might this effect the flow of EVs into the second-hand market?
National and regional issues
29. What are the challenges or concerns around grid capacity in relation to significantly increased EV adoption?
Vehicle to grid technology could allow flexibility to the national grid to better manage energy to cope with increased demands
30. What is the role of distribution network operators in ensuring EV infrastructure can be rolled out sufficiently to meet 2030 target?
Absolutely critical that infrastructure to allow chargepoints to be installed is rolled out without the institutional delays
31. What are the requirements, challenges or opportunities for the development of public charge point delivery across the UK? How will the development of EV charging infrastructure in the UK interact with existing planning regulations?
32. What are the issues facing rural residents, urban residents, and sub-urban residents and how do they differ?
33. What role do you see local authorities playing in the delivering the 2030 phase out target, particularly in relation to planning regulations, charge points and working with District Network Operators? How can government best support local authorities in their roles?
International perspectives
34. What are the successful approaches to the rollout and uptake of EVs in other countries, and what can the UK learn from these cases?
Look at Norway, USA with the I.R.A investing big , healthy subsidies and securing solid infrastructure and manufacturing investment boosting growth and transition to green energy and transportation.
China - reaping the rewards of govt subsidies leading to a very competitive ev market that has reduced prices for the public
EU- similar to USA in investment and subsidies to boost economic growth