Popularity of Electric Vehicles on the Rise

12/09/2011

A recent UK trial has revealed that fleet drivers are improving their opinion of low carbon and electric vehicles as the technology begins to sway the doubters.

The trial, conducted by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), showed that 83% of the private drivers who took part said the vehicles had met their daily requirements.  After taking part in the trial, drivers who expected an electric vehicle to perform better than a standard vehicle had increased by 12%.

Electric Vehicles on Trial

The trial gave drivers the chance to test vehicles, like the range of electric vans for sale from Allied Electric, by making everyday journeys which amounted to over 680,000 miles.  Using on-board computers and face-to-face surveys, the TSB was able to gather data that was then analysed to see how people’s opinions had changed after testing out the vehicles for themselves.

Iain Gray, chief executive of the TSB, commented: “The fact that users did not have to alter their daily routine to integrate the vehicles into their lives shows that, where appropriate, they are already a practical form of low carbon transport.  We will continue to invest in and push forward the low carbon vehicle innovation landscape.”

The Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles Demonstrator programme has been running since 2009.  The £25 million programme involves 19 vehicle manufacturers and 340 vehicles being trialled in seven different locations across the UK.