UK insurance firms meet to discuss EVs

Date: 1/4/2011

Insurance sector representatives have met with a motor industry body to discuss the potential impact of electric cars (EVs) on the premiums they offer.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders organised this week's event, where experts including Henry Carver, Head of Consumer Incentives at the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, provided members of the Association of British Insurers with the latest safety and technical data on these cars.

Issues covered included disposing of batteries, road safety, vehicle charging, mileage ranges, leasing, maintenance, warranties and possibilities for the second-hand motors market.

In addition, attendees had the chance to test drive EVs, including some models not yet available in the UK.

The insurance sector may be keen to prepare for covering low-carbon vehicles, as the European Commission recently outlined its plans to phase out the use of conventionally-fuelled cars in cities across the continent.

It hopes this will allow it to meets its carbon emission reduction targets by 2050.

Posted by Nick Anderson