The AA today called for pioneers to lead the switch from diesel and petrol cars to electric vehicles.

Addressing Durham County Council, AA president Edmund King argued that there is a role for electric vehicles, but that local authorities are essential to help progress with:

• The need for pioneers
• The need for early adopters – fleets – local authorities
• The need for incentives – national and local i.e. free parking
• The need for infrastructure – charge points
• The need for planners with vision
• The need to overcome range anxiety
• The need to address cost of batteries, safety issues
• The need for quick charge (five minutes to fill up petrol v five-hour EV charge)
• The need a change of attitudes towards vehicle ownership.