EV Owning Experience: Jake Goldby.

I own a Tesla Model 3 which I chose due to its range, the quality of drive, and the quality of software.

My favourite feature is it's navigation system.

I would never go back to petrol/diesel. At the most surface level, its cheaper to run, highly convenient and easily maintainable. Its also a complete pleasure to drive - something I have found common with all EV's.

The 'total' charging network. Its common narrative that the charging infrastructure is lacking. But in reality, when you own an EV (particularly when you have the ability charge at home AS WELL AS on the public network), you quickly find that the ease and availability of chargers is abundant. You have choice now; the ability to be selective - picky even. There is nothing more satisfying than going on holiday to find your favourite farm shop (not one of those nasty MSA's...) or hotel has charging infrastructure.

I was recently shouted (and called a name I wont repeat) at by a local farmer for driving past him and his dogs on a country lane in the Lakes whilst we were on holiday - his pups were spooked by something long before i reached him and crawled past in my very quiet EV; however the gentlemen decided it was my car that caused the havoc and shouted something a little like "thats what happens, you b****** when you drive those f****** EVs around these places" - safe to say I didnt stop to converse further. The dogs were lovely though!

Overnight tariff at home - so plug in and schedule the charge appropriately. On the public network, I plan my routes prior to leaving, which is more often an Osprey farm shop or similar that I enjoy to stop at. I very rarely, if ever charge more than 15 mins, as this often gives me the amount i need to get to my destination.

EVs have much lower costs- regenerative braking helps a lot. Tyres degrade at about the same rate I would say and as for mechanical maintenance....well there is none!

Go for it! I can assure you, you will not regret the change. There will inevitably be adjustments, however persevere as you will soon question how we ever used to refuel our vehicles by going to a dirty, smelly, luminescent fuel court.

I believe that vehicle ownership generally will fall as the desirability of luxury cars and consumers move further away from associating vehicle ownership with status. Public transport will become more broadly used and play an even more significant role in the UKs mobility model - this assumes public transport is improved from its current standards… Autonomous vehicles will again reshape the way we move around day to day and open the mobility space up to a multitude of transport options - no longer will it be just cars, trains and planes; but a plethora of mobility options, adding a robustness to our transport system that we have not yet experienced, much like our renewable energy mix!

The one thing I am highly confident about is that everything (or at least the vast majority) of the above will be electrically derived; a commonality shared amongst our future modes of transport, including the humble electric vehicle.