UK government urged tackle misinformation surrounding EVs

The UK government needs to tackle misinformation surrounding electric vehicles to ensure a “successful” transition, the Environment and Climate Change Committee argues.

In its latest report, which seeks to understand how the government is progressing towards both its 2030 and 2035 deadlines with a particular focus on passenger cars, the committee warns that one of the big barriers to moving away from petrol and diesel cars, including the scale of misinformation in the press.

“Faced with conflicting claims and alarmist headlines, consumers need a go-to source of comprehensive, clear and balanced information so they can make informed decisions about their vehicles,” the committee said.

“The transition to EVs offers a host of other benefits, including reducing noise and improving air quality.”

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Chair of the committee Baroness Kate Parminter told the BBC that both government officials and other witnesses had reported reading disinformation on the subject in national newspapers.

“We have seen a concerted effort to scare people…we have seen articles saying that cars are catching fire – but had evidence that the fire risk is absolutely the same as [petrol and diesel] cars,” Baroness Pariminter said.

During the enquiry, Department for Transport director Richard Bruce said: “I do think there has been an impact from a concerted campaign of misinformation over the last 14 months or so that has been pushing consistent myths about EVs that people absorb and which is reflected in their appetite [for purchasing EVs].

“There is an anti-EV story in the papers almost every day. Sometimes there are many stories, almost all of which are based on misconceptions and mistruths, unfortunately.”