A major new campaign intended to speed up the switch to electric cars by removing many of the barriers currently facing drivers has now launched.

Currently, VAT on domestic electricity is charged at 5% whereas those using public charge points unfairly have to pay 20% VAT

Spearheaded by well-known automotive journalist, Quentin Willson, the FairCharge campaign will push the critical issues of EV charging cost and infrastructure, battery range and wider EV access.

Its initial focus will be on tackling the current “illogical” VAT policy where EV owners without home-charging pay four times more for their electricity from public on-street networks. Currently, VAT on domestic electricity is charged at 5% whereas those using public charge points unfairly have to pay 20% VAT – but this impacts the c.40% of drivers who don’t have access to a driveway to install a home charger.

Quentin Willson said: “This isn’t just unfair, it’s a policy mistake that will hinder EV take-up. FairCharge must have a voice in future electrification policy decisions.”

FairCharge will also campaign to ensure electricity at public charge points is priced fairly. This will help those needing to recharge on longer journeys and will avoid further penalising those who don’t have access to home charging.

There will also be scrutiny of charging providers’ domestic and public charging tariffs, without which there’s a risk that charging an EV on some public networks could become as expensive as filling up with petrol or diesel, undermining the speed of drivers switching to zero-emission vehicles.

Alongside charging, the campaign will also work to make EVs more accessible through low-cost funding options for both new and used EVs, and will lobby the Government to support private charging providers.

It will also work to educate and inform on the benefits of EVs, dispelling current myths, and empower younger drivers to switch to EVs, including through cheaper insurance.

The FairCharge campaign has already held a reception at the House of Commons this week for MPs interested in finding out more about the campaign.

In addition, Quentin Willson has started a petition on Change.org calling on the Government to do more to help make electric vehicles affordable for everyone and put in place a national charging network so that drivers can be confident of switching to an electric car.

The work is being supported by the RAC who said many of the campaign group’s concerns had already been voiced by drivers in its Report on Motoring 2021. This includes the more than half of drivers (53%) who say they don’t think they would be able to make long journeys as easily as in an electric car as they could in a conventionally fuelled one – an issue that is tied in with the perceived lack of fast and reliable charging infrastructure.

RAC director of EVs Sarah Winward-Kotecha commented: “The UK’s journey to zero-emission driving is now well underway, but it’s vital that the switch to electric happens as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are many issues with public chargers such as cost, availability, reliability, speed of charging and ease of payment, which have the potential to either accelerate or slow down EV adoption depending on how they are handled. Our decision to support FairCharge is all about making sure that charging provision in all shapes and forms is both fit for purpose and fair.

“We also know from our research that drivers have concerns about going electric beyond charging, so we are pleased to see that FairCharge will be working to make driving an EV accessible to all as well ensuring the UK economy and society as whole benefit from the transition to electric driving.”