by Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for the poor sales of electric cars in a House of Lords report.
Atkinson, known for Mr Bean and the Blackadder series, was at the center of real-life drama on Tuesday.
The Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee was told that the activist, 69, was partly to blame for the public’s “harmful” attitude towards electric vehicles (EVs).
New petrol and diesel cars are banned from 2035 under the Prime Minister’s net-zero strategy. That ban is intended to encourage drivers to buy EVs, but adoption has been slower than the strategy’s advocates had hoped.
“One of the most damaging articles was a piece of commentary written by Rowan Atkinson in the Guardian which was thoroughly debunked,” said the Green Alliance pressure group.
Atkinson described EVs as ‘soulless’
Atkinson, who has degrees in electrical engineering and control systems, described EVs in a June 2023 opinion piece as “a bit soulless” but “wonderful mechanisms”.
He wrote: “But slowly, I’m feeling a little black… I’m feeling like our honeymoon with electric cars is coming to an end, and that’s not a bad thing.”
His article prompted a barrage from EV proponents, who accused him of misrepresenting the current state of battery technology.
Simon Evans, of the Carbon Brief website, wrote: “Mr Atkinson’s biggest mistake is failing to recognize that electric vehicles already have significant global environmental benefits, compared to combustion engine cars.”
A combination of higher purchase costs, inadequate charging infrastructure and mixed messages is preventing some drivers from switching to EVs, peers warned in a report on Tuesday.
Surface transport The highest emitting sector in the UK
Baroness Parminter, who chaired the committee’s EV inquiry, said: “Surface transport is the UK’s highest CO2 emitting sector, with passenger cars accounting for over half of these emissions.
“The evidence we found shows that the Government needs to do more – and quickly – to encourage people to adopt EVs,” she continued.
“If it fails to heed our recommendations, the UK will miss out on the significant benefits of improved air quality and will be left behind in the slow lane to tackle climate change.”
Witnesses who testified to the committee about the EV rollout raised “concerns about a lack of clear and consistent messaging from the Government,” which allegedly “provided a vacuum for inaccurate press reporting to fill the void.”
To support that claim, the committee’s 128-page report cited a submission from the Green Party pressure group, which sought to directly blame the Blackadder star for the public’s poor perception of EVs.
Peers cited the submission, which accused the activist of “damaging” public opinion on EVs, as evidence of misleading reporting about the disadvantages of electric cars and battery technology.
Two committee members drive EVs
Only two members of the committee said they drive electric vehicles themselves, although the report warned it risks delaying the Government’s goal of “mass ownership”.
Chairwoman Baroness Parminter drives an EV, as does Labor peer Lord Grantchester. His political comrade Lord Whitty drives a hybrid car, making him the only other of the 13 committee members to drive a non-petrol or diesel vehicle.
Greg Smith, a member of the Commons transport committee, said politicians promoting expensive electric cars were “not operating in the real world”.
He added: “It’s sheer hypocrisy for people who don’t even drive EVs themselves to have the cheek to tell other people they should drop a whole ton of money on one,” he said.
“People should be able to choose the cars they buy and drive. The reliability issues with battery electric cars are real and to try to sweep that under the carpet is just potty.
“EVs are expensive, unproven and environmentally questionable given the carbon footprint of construction and disposal. Let people choose for themselves.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Many of the recommendations have already been highlighted by the industry, such as the phasing in of charging points before need, the equalization of VAT on public charging with home charging and the importance of related to purchase. incentives, which could be delivered through a VAT cut.”
VAT is charged on household electricity bills at five per cent, but supplies to businesses – such as charging points at motorway service stations – are taxed at 20 per cent.
Critics say this prevents drivers from using public charging points as it increases the cost of topping up their batteries.
Atkinson’s agent has been contacted for comment.
