Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Is the government really going to be able to make the switch to electric cars?

Don’t electric cars sound exciting? No exhaust emissions creating a toxic soup for children to breathe in as they go to school and charging at home before whizzing about in a quiet, clean car. Ministers are so excited by them that this week they announced they want to ban all new petrol and diesel cars from 2040.

I already own an electric car, so you’d expect me to be excited that others will be joining the revolution that’s currently the preserve of tedious people like me who also own folding bikes and have a veg box subscription. But while my car is a dream to drive, it’s really not particularly convenient. A lot needs to change before most people want to buy these cars.

Going electric might make you feel rather smug, but quite quickly you notice a new and not particularly welcome emotion when you’re doing anything other than short trips.

Isabel Hardman
Written by
Isabel Hardman
Isabel Hardman is assistant editor of The Spectator and author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians. She also presents Radio 4’s Week in Westminster.

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