Electric car drivers 'growing in confidence'

Date: 12/10/2010

Drivers of low-carbon vehicles are becoming increasingly confident about heading out onto the road, a new survey has discovered.

This was one of the findings of the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators (Cabled) project report, which was published after a six-month study of 25 Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicles.

Owners of the electric cars exhibited greater confidence through driving more miles overall, being on the road for increased lengths of time and completing longer journeys.

Project Leader Neil Butcher observed: "The phenomenon known as 'range anxiety' - concern about battery life when undertaking long journeys - is falling as drivers become more familiar with their vehicles."

In addition to such progress, the study carried out through Aston University revealed the cost of refueling electric cars, noting this can be done at home for between 25p and £1 each day.

Last month, the government announced £24 million worth of incentives to develop electric cars, including a plug-in car grant and funding for new projects.

Posted by Nick Anderson