Under 10 Years to the Electric Revolution: Are We Ready to Go Electric?

On the day that Boris Johnson announced the end of fossil fuel vehicles (from 2035), I have spent the day lamenting the end of my tether. Today is a day to rejoice and embrace the opportunity that a clean motoring future gives. Why was such a bold pronouncement given more negative press than Liverpool’s youth team vs Shrewsbury? And the question we’re all really wondering, are we ready to go electric? It turns out, the sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030! Looks like the electric revolution is coming sooner than we thought!

According to various media sources, in 2035 we’ll have everything from power outages to the death of the motor industry. How realistic is the forecast of doom, though? Are we on a highway to hell or a road to heavenly enlightenment? Let’s take a look at the facts.

So, Are We Really Ready to Go Electric?

The year is 2020, not 2030. We shave just under 10 years to prepare for the electric revolution, but in 2020 we’re much better prepared than the media have you believe! Today alone I’ve heard a number of objections, the same objections we’ve been hearing for years! Yet with every passing month, they become more ridiculous!

The first obstacle is, again, cost. All-day people have been stating that electric cars are too expensive for the masses, but on salary sacrifice schemes like ours, you can get into a brand new car for less than an old diesel car! If you don’t have access to such schemes, you can buy a brand new electric Golf or Mini for less than the equivalent diesel! Many people also point to the used market, where most retail buyers source cars. Here, you can get a Nissan Leaf for a similar cost to a used Focus, but pay just £10 a month for the charge!

The second obstacle is the range. One mention of electric cars would have us all believe we commute from John o’Groats to Land’s End daily! The typical electric car can cover 200 miles between charges, the typical weekly commute for UK drivers. Speaking of charging… Over half of us have a drive or garage where we can charge, and for the rest, there are nearly 30,000 public charge points in the UK, with more being added daily! For those without access, we can install a charge point at your workplace for free! Also, did you know that virtually every motorway service station has fast charge points, but only 3% are utilised? How crazy!

Of course, the arguments and doom-mongers are moving on. Sometime last week, the laughably titled “Independent” had its front page dedicated to how electric vehicles cause world blackouts! Meanwhile, in reality-land, even with complete adoption we’ll actually use less electricity from coal or nuclear in 2035 than we do today!

As for the death of the car industry…

Well, yes… if like the dinosaurs, we sleepwalk into the future, this could be an issue. However, if we get on-trend and innovate now, this will be a huge opportunity for the UK.

There could be doom ahead is we carry on the way we’re going. Even if you don’t believe in global warming, fossil fuels won’t last forever. Luckily, right now we have a golden opportunity! All we have to do is take it.

Are YOU Ready to Go Electric?

Looking to go electric and join the electric revolution in its early days? Download a guide here!