The future of electric cars

• May. 4 by Georgie Campbell (0)

The Government is proposing a £5,000 incentive to electric car buyers in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

Acting as a part of a £250 million plan to combat climate change many have suggested the reward may not be as simple as it sounds.

Focussing on garages throughout the West Midlands it was revealed there were few garages that sold electric cars and even fewer stations that provided faculities to charge the cars.  With many commuters entering the city everyday it would seem the charge stations are a vital if the scheme is going to attract buyers.

View Electric Car Dealerships and Charge Stations in the West Midlands in a larger map

With the Guardian’s Watt an idea poll revealing 58.6% of readers would not follow the incentive to buy an electric car has the government misjudged the correct time to introduce a scheme such as this? 

As purse strings tighten and the last few pennies are shaken from the piggy banks it would suggest few people would be thinking of buying a new car.

Speaking to some local Birmingham residents at the One Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr it would appear a new car is the last things on their shopping lists.

Tom Sheldon, 42, from Perry Barr commented:

“There is no way I can afford a car at the moment.  Although the new Aixam car is fairly cheap for an electric car, there’s just no way.  And if I had to fill it up from home, I guess the cost of electricity wouldn’t be that cheap either.”

Danny Frances, 27, from London commented:

“I would only consider it if they were well performing, but the tiny ones they’ve featured on TV do not interest me.  If they bring out a decent model then I might consider it.”

Shal Hayes, 23, from Handsworth Wood commented:

“No, not at all. If I had any money laying around a car still wouldn’t make the list. My car isn’t in great shape, but it will do. How reliable are electric cars anyway? Would they get me out of the city without running out of charge?”

Perhaps the government should work on building the reputation of electric cars, explaining how they work and how far they can drive before offering the incentives.

Although charge stations are being installed up and down the UK, it would seem the scheme has not quite attracted it perhaps hoped to.