Electric vehicles: travelling in the right direction?

In light of the Scottish Government’s recent “Switched on Scotland” document, detailing expenditure of £14m over the next two years to change to Electric Vehicles (EVs), I attended an ecoConnect forum in Edinburgh to get a background into what industry leaders and public sector bodies thought about the government’s attempts to reduce carbon emissions. I was also interested to find out whether EVs really are the answer to a growing environmental problem that, if not tackled, will likely see generations to come living in a very different world from the one we enjoy today.

The panel included:

Jim Orr, Vice Convenor of Transport and Environment for Edinburgh Council



Archie Stoddart, Head of Transport for Scotland’s Transport Strategy Unit



Adrian Loening, Chair of the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland



Dr Steve Johnson, Environmental and CSR Manager for Lothian Buses

Key issues were identified for discussion: cost, along with economic and environmental benefits, and how obstacles such as the normalisation of EVs can be overcome.

Before tackling the issue of cost – a factor most delegates were keen to see debated – the panel pointed out that they were now more aware of how the public viewed a transition to EVs, and what prevents that change for many is financing.

Adrian Loening therefore sees the “low-hanging fruit” at present as those who have the money and awareness to run an EV – but there are large swathes of the population who simply cannot afford nor have the mindset to consider an EV as an option at this point. This came as little surprise. Amid austerity measures, and with credit more difficult to obtain, the difference in cost between a fuel car and EV can be up to £30,000 – not an option for many when thousands are struggling to heat or eat.

But Archie Stoddart stands by the economic argument – one he believes is a strong one. Tied in with renewables, he sees an opportunity for Scotland to boost its automotive industry, thus creating jobs and benefiting the economy. But the conversation has to change in the minds of the public. For the head of Scotland’s Transport Strategy Unit, the question is: how do we “normalise” EVs?

As Loening himself admits that he “wouldn’t like to be picked up by an electric ambulance”, he believes what is needed is an “iPhone moment” to change the entire perspective, presumably so that the economic argument can be won. Although scrimping on the details, I think he assumed the audience (most likely owning iPhones) understood what he meant. Echoing this perceived problem that “the speed of uptake just isn’t fast enough” was Steve Johnson, who sees converting people’s mindset as the greatest challenge. It is agreed that what is needed is a long-term shift in behaviour.

Loening, who is Chair of Scotland’s EV Association, admits that obstacles to a behaviour shift such as image are hard to overcome, “especially with Jeremy Clarkson still on TV”. The narrative largely implanted by popular culture is that EVs aren’t fast, cool, or hip. So there needs to be education. But, as the panel admits that costs to the individual and the environment are to some extent unknown, there is tentative agreement that the focus should be taken step-by-step; keep the focus on what can be done now.

Despite believing that the Scottish Government are on the right track by being committed to improving air quality, criticism is levied at infrastructure. The first suggestion is that there needs to be a stronger partnership between the government and EV organisations. At present, there is seen to be too big a disconnect between relevant advocacy bodies and government action on issues such as how to count for carbon, training, and education. Jim Orr believes that to achieve this, “the incentives have to be there”, suggesting that public bodies should take the lead by setting their own emission limits and having EVs available for use by employees.

The Vice Convenor of Transport and Environment for Edinburgh Council went on to criticise infrastructure by challenging the belief that EVs are the answer to achieving lower carbon emissions, taking issue being with the Scottish Government’s continued focus on cars. Problems associated with cars, like parking and road damage, will remain, he points out – and says he believes the key is to get people walking and cycling. He sees EVs as an option when developed in parallel with other solutions, a view largely shared by the Scottish Green Party, who have also heavily criticised the government’s action plan, saying there is no sign that the uptake of EVs will increase. Instead, they believe alternatives such as public transport should be made more accessible – and it’s easy to understand why, with only 3,000 EVs registered at present (a 0.1% market share).

Questions regarding the feasibility of the Scottish Government’s 2050 carbon targets were met with trepidation. As Steve Johnson pointed out, even reaching 1990 fuel targets is tricky due to tight legislation – but he remains hopeful. And Jim Orr is still focussing on 2020 targets. Archie Stoddart is positive, however, emphasising that 2050 is a long way away and, as technology is a big factor along with behavioural change, these things can be steadily worked on. He admits that many questions remain, though; for instance, where do all the fuel-powered vehicles end up? What will replace car tax and fuel duties?

The evening ended on a positive note, with each panel member confident that the relevant issues can and will be tackled over time, raising many pertinent questions with well-considered and comprehensive answers given. But despite this, I couldn’t help thinking that the mention of alternatives was somewhat skipped over, and would have liked to have heard more about other, more accessible solutions to climate change. Until costs become realistic, I’m inclined to agree with the Scottish Greens: if we really are to tackle climate change, then it will take more than a few EVs on the roads.

However, that doesn’t mean I left the discussion feeling despondent. In fact, far from it. What the event heralded was a taste of the wave of change, and for that, ecoConnect and others fighting to advocate green issues should be championed.