A report on the scope for switching to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids was published in October.   The study was carried out by the consultants Arup and Cenex for the UK government.   The main findings are encouraging.   Over a full life cycle, reductions in carbon and greenhouse gas emissions of 40% are possible, compared with conventional internal combustion engines, even with the current electric grid mix of fuel use – more as the electricity grid is decarbonised.  There is sufficient electricity generation and transmission capacity provided that vehicle charging takes place at off-peak periods.   However, availability of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles on a large scale is not expected before 2014, given development times.   Despite the high cost of batteries, whole-life running costs should be lower than conventional alternatives, given likely fuel prices – but regrettably private buyers are influenced more by capital costs.

The report recommends the creation of a forum for the development of the UK’s EV industry and market.   On 28 October, the day the report was published, the UK Government announced a £10m project to encourage the introduction of electric cars, involving around 100 electric cars being provided to members of the public and other motorists on a trial basis.   The Government has also announced that 10 companies have been short-listed to provide electric and low carbon vans to public sector bodies in a £20m scheme. All this is part of a plan worth £100m to encourage the development and deployment of electric and low-carbon cars and vans.  

This is good as far as it goes.   But some kind of financial incentive may also be needed to encourage motorists to adopt a new technology in the face of higher initial costs and longer term uncertainty about performance.