Speaking as part of a panel discussion at the BVRLA Fleets in Charge conference, chief executive Toby Poston called for various Government and industry moves that could boost EV uptake, particularly in the crucial used EV market.

Poston called for communications campaigns focused around mythbusting, as well as a better investment in battery heath checks to help build confidence.

He added that, rather than waiting for upcoming UN regulations, the market should commit to “published, agreed standards” around battery health.

One issue outlined by the panel was that of investment, with Poston calling for similar measures as those seen in the renewable energy sector, that allowed for greater investor confidence via shared risk.

Poston added that bodies like the British Business Bank should support new innovations, while there should be a system of grants for used EV purchases, which should be the focus over new vehicles.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, agreed with the need for grants, having submitted evidence of success of similar schemes – offering low cost loans for second hand EVs – in other countries to the Department for Transport.

Poston added that these schemes should target specific demographics, as have similar schemes in Europe.

The panel noted that the UK also needs solutions to bring the cost of both EVs and charging down, and to boost access to charge points, even down to something as simple as improved signage for road users looking for chargers.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said: “Charging needs to be a reason to switch, not a reason to hesitate.” 

Edmund King of the Automobile Association, who chaired the panel, noted that unclear costs were just as much of a barrier as high costs, and Read agreed that there is a need for better charging cost transparency.

King noted that the Congestion Charge exemption for EVs had an “incredible impact,” and that losing this could be an issue for the transition to EVs, particularly where vans are “essential” to the infrastructure of London.

He warned that too many barriers to EV use could mean an en masse return to petrol and diesel vans in the capital.

Poston noted that London is a “separate beast” with its own challenges, including the reluctance of councils to get behind charging infrastructure, due to congestion concerns.

Overall, Read noted a “growing awareness among drivers,” in part due to the work being done to dispel doubts, but called for greater consistency in both messaging and policies, from central to local and regional Government.

Rik Adams, innovation delivery director at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, said that buyer reluctance should ebb as infrastructure issues are dealt with.

He added: “We have an opportunity in both automated transport and electrification to bring both fleets and consumers in to collaborate on projects that could solve some of the problems.”

Overall, Adams noted that he was optimistic about the move to electrification, not least because the “Government has put a lot of money where its mouth is,” meaning the UK could be back on track by 2030-35.

He said: “This is a great opportunity for the UK to lead the way.”