An Electric Vehicle Experiment

A BBC reporter has decided to try driving an electric vehicle (EV) from London to Edinburgh to see if it can be done.

Most motorists take such journeys for granted: 373 miles (600 km)? No problem. However, for EV drivers, the experience would be somewhat different (as the reporter is discovering).

Brian Milligan set out from London on Monday (10th Jan.) in an electric Mini and hopes to reach Edinburgh some time  tomorrow (13th). It's not taking 4 days because he's taking in the sights on the way, it's because he has to stop every 50 to 80 miles to recharge the car, and each charge takes up to 8 hours! This highlights the problems EVs have over range per charge, and the time it takes to refuel.

Another problem is the rarity of charging points in the UK at present. This gave the reporter some anxious moments as he wondered if he'd even make it to the next point. He's often had to resort to turning off the heater to conserve power and increase range.

You can follow his adventures here. The link includes short videos on such things as what you need to carry around to charge your car, how little luggage space there is in an electric Mini, how you charge up your EV, and planning the trip.

The reports make up a useful guide to some of the issues of EV ownership. Unfortunately, given the conditions of the experiment, it also makes them look lame. Which is a bit unfair.

You'd have to be a complete idiot if you bought a current EV with the expectation of using it like a normal car. Even the most basic research makes it clear they are best suited for driving round town: Charge the EV overnight, drive it around all day, then stick it back on charge.

Most people's car journeys are round-trips of less than 100 miles - well within the range of most EVs (the Mini seems to be a notable exception) - So the range shouldn't be an issue most of the time. And, for those trips over a 100 miles? Use your second, petrol powered, car, or public transport, or hire a car.

Clearly, EVs aren't ideal for everyone but, for a family like ours - with weekly mileage of less than 50 miles, and a second vehicle - it would be great.

One day, EVs will have a range more like petrol cars, will charge in a fraction of the time, charging points will be everywhere, and EVs will have a comparable price to a standard vehicle, but that's a few years away still.

Update: He made it!