The transition to electric vehicles is beginning to accelerate, but the transition has been a bumpy ride. While some early adopters have embraced the change, EVs have been met with plenty of doubt around efficiency, reliability, and cost — and perhaps the biggest challenge EVs have faced, range anxiety.
Early EVs typically delivered 70–120 miles per charge, which was only enough for a run-around a city rather than epic road trips. But EVs have come a long way since then, with mainstream models sitting comfortably at 250–300 miles. Batteries are much more reliable, and there has been an influx of charging points across the UK, with motorway stations adding rapid charge points; big ticks when it comes to the logistics of running an EV.
This shift marks a new era for the great British road trip, with a focus on sustainability and a more luxurious experience. As well as eliminating the need to stop and fill up at busy petrol stations, EVs offer a more serene experience, free of engine noise and rapid acceleration. Forward-thinking, slick, and eco-conscious, going electric has suddenly become a lot more stylish.
To learn more about the next generation of electric vehicles, House of Coco sat down with leading motoring journalist Erin Baker to learn more about how EVs are transforming the motoring landscape — and why the industry must invite women into the conversation.
The electric road trip: a new era
UK staycations continue to dominate as a popular choice for holidays — and nothing brings back a sense of nostalgia like a great British road trip. Recent stats from Aviva show that 71% of people in the UK are nostalgic for old-school experiences on the road, from winding down the window to using paper maps to listening to cassettes and CDs.
But while we might crave retro games and the sense of connection and excitement that inevitably comes with a long drive, the modern era of road tripping comes with some added tech advances to enhance the experience, particularly when it comes to comfort and ease — and electric vehicles are playing a significant role in this.
Home charging means road trips can start fully powered — without having to find a petrol station. As Director of Communications at Autotrader, Laura Harvey, one of the speakers, said during a presentation on EVs and the future, hosted by Autotrader at Estelle Manor, “It is brilliant because I don’t like petrol stations… they’re dark and horrible… and I never have to visit one again.”
For many female drivers, petrol stations add an extra layer of stress to the journey, and with around 85% of EV drivers having a charger at home, it’s one less thing to think about before getting out on the road. Plug in overnight and wake up ready to explore.
No more stressful petrol stops also means more time to enjoy a morning coffee at a countryside café or take a spontaneous detour. Recent models are also dispelling worries around battery life, as Erin explains, “Batteries are covered by an eight-year warranty, and we’re finding they go far longer than anyone thought. A ten-year-old electric car still has around 90% of its performance left.”
One of the other criticisms in the EV versus petrol car debate is that older, classic cars — and their engine revs — are easier to romanticise. But in defence of the EV, it offers a smoother ride. Not only does it eliminate the petrol complication, but it also provides a smoother, quieter drive without juddery gear changes.
Less noise means a deeper sensory experience, immersed in the nature around you, as you drive through the UK’s abundance of rolling hills, coastal roads, and ancient woodland. Plus, modern electric vehicles offer a chic experience with slick integrated features, including excellent navigation that automatically plans charging, apps that preheat or cool the car, stylish interfaces, and better entertainment systems.
EVs and inclusivity: Why women have the potential to steer the change
Women make up 63% of car buyers — “not the people influencing the decision, the people buying cars,” Erin reiterates — yet they’re often left out of the conversation within both marketing and the media. But with more people interested in electric vehicles, this marks a new era of inclusivity, too. “With the move to electric, the entire narrative around cars is shifting to one around sustainability, and we know that outside of cars, women are far ahead of the curve,” Erin explains.
“The whole conversation around cars is shifting away from power trains and limited-slip differentials… to conversations around vegan leather alternatives, responsible sourcing of materials, and colour palettes.” As Erin puts it, “We do want to know about cars. We just don’t necessarily want to read about the kind of stuff that’s traditionally been written about them.”
But there’s still a long way to go when it comes to women feeling empowered within the motoring sphere. Despite women being more likely to buy a car for their family and being “ahead of the curve” when it comes to sustainability, Erin notes that they’re less likely to purchase an electric vehicle as things stands: “Almost a third of women say it’s hard to find the right information… and half of women say buying a car is a stressful and daunting experience, which is grim.”
But the tide is beginning to turn, with trust growing in the EV market, particularly due to the extensive amount of “factual, practical information” around the cars that offers reassurance. There’s also a generational shift happening, with “women under 45 are twice as likely to consider electric cars as those over 50”.
Electric vehicles are cementing their reputation as a reliable choice for drivers, with modern models dispelling range-anxiety myths, becoming increasingly practical for long journeys, and serving as an exciting new companion for the great British road trip — whether that means spontaneous weekend getaways, cross-country adventures, or even a jaunt along the British coastline.
Women are at the forefront of changing attitudes around cars, from diversifying styles and redefining priorities around functionality to spearheading sustainability and innovation. But it’s clear the industry still has a fair few miles to go before women are fully included in the conversation. The good news, according to Erin, is the shift is happening slowly but surely — and we’re entering an exciting new era of road travel, with women in the driver’s seat.
Images from Pixabay, Unsplash. Further imagery taken by Lauren Hughes.
