By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL
A new tool has been launched to let motorists contact their local MP about EV worries to help elevate frustrations and concerns.
Membership organisation EVA England unveiled its new, free Charge Up Change 'Write to your MP' tool today so that motorists can find and contact their MP directly on a range of electric car topics.
It's designed to ensure drivers' voices are heard directly by Westminster, and create an informed conversation between policymakers and people affected most by the EV transition.
The tool has been launched just one week after a driver-focused event in Parliament where MPs were briefed on the barriers currently holding back the switch to zero emissions, including the charging divide which leaves those without home charging paying a hefty premium to charge.
A survey last year found half of drivers believe the Government needs to help make electric cars more affordable.
Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, said: 'I hope our new ‘Write to Your MP’ tool empowers more drivers to raise their voices and helps spark the change we need to deliver a fair, affordable, and reliable EV future.'
EVA England's new 'Write to your MP' tool connects you with your local MP and lets you address a range of electric car topics directly so you can get answers to your questions and concerns
As part of EVA England's Charge Up Change campaign, the email tool locates your local MP via your postcode, and helps you pinpoint your EV related concern by topic.
These include the upfront cost of new vehicles, accessing second-hand EVs and battery health, the cost of charging, access to charging for renters and accessibility of charge points.
The toolkit aims to tackle the misinformation surrounding EVs and address concerns that recent EV policy fails to grasp how real world drivers feel and as such is not working.
Last week MPs were told that issues such as cross-pavement installations - these allow drivers in terraced accommodation to connect their own charger to the curb and benefit from more affordable overnight home charging rates - were a local authority matter.
This is because the majority of local authorities in the UK currently restrict drivers from having one installed.
A survey last year found that 50 per cent of drivers believe the government needs to help make electric cars more affordable
EVA England also highlighted the urgent need to address the growing ‘charging divide’, which affects the 40 per cent of UK households without access to off-street parking.
These drivers are often forced to rely on more expensive public charging – sometimes seven to 10 times the cost of home charging – making EV ownership significantly less affordable for many.
MPs were briefed too on how the high upfront cost of electric vehicles remains a key barrier preventing many from making the switch.
Some of the solutions outlined included the introduction of targeted schemes to support lower-income households, and measures to strengthen the second-hand EV market, which is often the most accessible entry point for many consumers.
The EVA tool will help address EV issues that local authorities oversee
This briefing and the following 'Write to your MP ' tool are the latest attempts by EV bodies to push the government into taking a more active role in address driver concerns about going electric.
Experts have warned that unless action is taken to address these concerns, the progress made so far could stall.
Vicky Edmonds adds: 'As more and more people consider making the switch, we need to make sure the system works for everyone, not just those with off-street parking or early adopter enthusiasm.
'MPs have proven hugely helpful and responsive when made aware of these real-life barriers, as we saw during our event last week.'
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