Electric Dilemmas – The Lords, Atkinson, and the future (apathy) of electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles are all vying for our attention, but it seems not everyone is ready to roll out the red carpet for a lithium celled motor. Enter Rowan Atkinson, a man whose words carry the weight of a fleet of yellow and black Minis, and whose recent comments have sparked more than just the batteries of EVs, they’ve ignited a fiery debate in the House of Lords.

As an early adopter of the Nissan Leaf 24Kwh Mark 2 from 2012 to 2014, I’ve had my fair share of electric escapades. So, believe me when I say, I understand the allure of the silent hum over the roar of an engine. But Atkinson’s candid confession in The Guardian, where he labelled EVs as “a bit soulless,” has left many, including our esteemed Lords, in a bit of a huff.

The House of Lords, not typically known for their knee-jerk reactions, have found themselves at odds with Atkinson’s perspective. The Green Alliance thinktank didn’t mince words when they told the Lords that Atkinson’s views were “damaging” to the government’s green motoring plans. It seems the actor’s engineering background and passion for cars lent his words an unexpected horsepower, driving a wedge into the already contentious debate on EVs.

But let’s shift gears for a moment and consider the design of these modern chariots. As someone who’s been behind the wheel of an EV, I can’t help but echo the sentiment that today’s designs are about as thrilling as last year’s spreadsheet. Where’s the innovation, the excitement, the revolutionary spirit that once propelled us from horse-drawn carriages to the moon?

The Lords are upset, Atkinson is disillusioned, and the public? Well, we’re left scratching our heads, wondering if the future of motoring will ever match the dreams we’ve been sold. As we stand at the crossroads of so-called “environmental responsibility” and automotive passion, one thing is clear: it’s going to take more than just a new battery to drive us into the future.

So, here’s to hoping that the next generation of EVs will bring back the spark that once made motoring magical. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes on the horizon and our minds open to the possibilities that lie just down the road