EVA England has launched a new campaign and online tool to empower EV drivers to voice their concerns directly to MPs.

Launched a week after a driver-focused event in Parliament, the new Charge Up Change tool enables drivers to address their MP on the changes they would most like to see when it comes to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The toolkit aims to tackle the misinformation surrounding EVs and address concerns that recent EV policy has failed to grasp the concerns of real-world drivers – both for petrol and diesel drivers considering the switch and current EV drivers grappling high charging costs and access to home and public charging points across the UK.

The toolkit launch follows a special drop-in event hosted in Parliament last week by Perran Moon MP, where EVA England and a host of its members – all EV drivers – briefed MPs on the benefits of owning an EV and the biggest barriers facing consumers.

The event spotlighted the increasingly urgent need for demand-side policy action to support consumers, matching the Government’s recent steps to support industry, such as its recent changes to the ZEV mandate and the confirmed 2030 phase-out date for new conventional petrol and diesel cars.

While the Government has responded to automaker requests with new flexibilities in the ZEV mandate, EVA England and leading organisations in the sector are warning that everyday drivers are being left behind and say more support is needed for those considering the switch but not yet able to – or for those already navigating the practicalities of EV ownership, such as charging costs and infrastructure accessibility gaps.

This includes the ‘charging divide’ – as highlighted at last week’s parliamentary event – which affects the 40% of UK households without access to off-street parking. These drivers are often forced to rely on more expensive public charging – sometimes seven to 10 times the cost of home charging – making EV ownership significantly less affordable for many. MPs were briefed on the barriers currently holding back some existing solutions, such as cross-pavement installations allowing drivers in terraced accommodation, for instance, to connect their own charger to the kerb and benefit from more affordable overnight home charging rates. A majority of local authorities in the UK currently restrict drivers from having one installed.

MPs were also briefed on how the high upfront cost of electric vehicles remains a key barrier preventing many from making the switch. Some of the solutions outlined included the introduction of targeted schemes to support lower-income households, and measures to strengthen the second-hand EV market, which is often the most accessible entry point for many consumers.

EVA England’s newly launched Charge Up Change campaign tackles this and is designed to ensure drivers’ voices are heard directly in Westminster, by offering an easy-to-use way for constituents to email their MP.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said: “As more and more people consider making the [EV] switch, we need to make sure the system works for everyone, not just those with off-street parking or early adopter enthusiasm.

“MPs have proven hugely helpful and responsive when made aware of these real-life barriers, as we saw during our event last week. I hope our new ‘Write to Your MP’ tool empowers more drivers to raise their voices and helps spark the change we need to deliver a fair, affordable and reliable EV future.”

Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth and a fleet and automotive industry expert, said: “It was a pleasure to host EVA England and their members in Parliament to talk about the priorities for drivers when it comes to switching to and driving electric vehicles. Drivers must be the central consideration when thinking about new charging infrastructure and the wider policies helping the transition to electric – the big changes currently taking hold must ultimately work for them.”