Transitioning to Electric Vehicle: A Personal Challenge and Responsibility

Welcome to another edition of the Centre for Sustainable Intelligence newsletter.

This is where I try to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. My mission is to share my observations across these core themes: AI for Good, Ethical AI, Sustainable AI and AI in Sustainability. I hope to inform, inspire and engage readers interested in the potential of AI to drive positive change for both people and the planet.

Here’s what’s in stock for you today:

• News Bite: Ford’s EV Strategy Shift

• Deep Dive: My Journey Toward a Greener Ride

• EV Fun Facts: Interesting EV tidbits for you.

News Bite: Ford’s EV Strategy Shift: Slower Rollout and Focus on Hybrids.

The recent shift in Ford's electric vehicle (EV) strategy reflects a recalibration in response to evolving market dynamics. Instead of aggressively pushing fully electric cars, Ford is slowing down its EV production, canceling plans for electric three-row SUVs, and introducing hybrid versions instead. The company is also prioritizing a new electric commercial van for 2026 and two advanced electric pickup trucks by 2027, while delaying the "Project T3" electric truck to late 2027. Investments are being adjusted, with only 30% now allocated to fully electric vehicles, down from 40%.

This adjustment underscores Ford's focus on affordability and meeting consumer demand for hybrids over full electrification. By optimizing battery procurement and improving manufacturing efficiency, Ford aims to reduce costs and better cater to a more price-sensitive market. While this shift may incur nearly $2 billion in costs, including a $400 million write-off, it reflects a strategic effort to balance consumer needs and profitability in the evolving EV market.

I am shocked by the hybrid demand from consumers, but hey, data is king. Who will be next?

Deep Dive: My Journey Toward a Greener Ride and the Challenges Along the Way.

You’re probably already familiar with the basics: electric vehicles (EVs) run entirely on electricity, powered by an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. Unlike petrol, diesel, or even hybrid cars, EVs don’t have a combustion engine. But if you haven’t checked out EVs already, there’s a lot to learn than you might think. So, get ready as I share my personal experience trying to get my hands on an electric car and the challenges I faced along the way—challenges I’m sure many others encounter, too.

The "Sustainability Dad" Struggle

I’ve always been committed to living sustainably, making eco-friendly choices wherever I can. My kids even jokingly call me “Sustainability Dad,” which has become a bit of a family nickname. But there’s one area we haven’t quite nailed yet: our diesel SUV. It’s our go-to vehicle for school runs and family trips, but also the biggest source of emissions in our otherwise green household. We buy second-hand clothes, recycle diligently, and even turn sustainability into a friendly competition. But when it comes to that SUV? It’s been tough to part ways, especially with those lease payments hanging over us.

The Challenges of Switching from Combustion to Electric

One of the biggest hurdles to switching to an electric vehicle, at least for us, and I imagine many other families is the cost. The initial price tag of an EV can be pretty steep. Plus, the infrastructure for EVs isn’t as widespread as it could be. Charging stations aren’t nearly as common as petrol stations, and for those who live in rented homes or don’t have a driveway, setting up a home charger can feel like a logistical nightmare.

Still, despite these obstacles, I decided it was time for a change. For us, the key to overcoming the financial barrier was to find a creative way to secure an electric car without blowing our budget.

My Ongoing Journey to Make the Switch

Last week, I contacted our car dealer to check how much we still owed on our current car, thinking we might trade it in for an electric one. However, it quickly became clear that the price difference between our current vehicle and a new EV was much larger than anticipated. My dreams of driving a brand-new electric car were dashed pretty quickly.

So, I started looking into used EVs, which offered a lot more options. But first, I needed to decide what to do with our current car. Trading it in wasn’t financially feasible, but selling it privately to pay off the remaining loan made sense. If I sold it, any leftover equity will be used as a down payment on a used electric vehicle. That looked like a good plan, but I have to find an electric car that could comfortably accommodate our family of five. Seven-seater EVs are rare and often come with a hefty price tag. I am yet to execute on my plan, but I am confident that my plan will enable me make the switch before the end of the year.

Next Steps

While this journey is a personal one, an effort to replace our diesel-guzzling, carbon-emitting SUV, I also want to use it as an opportunity to shed light on some of the common challenges people face when switching from a combustion engine vehicle to an electric one. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help others navigate the switch too.

I know the transition can be inconvenient and sometimes downright frustrating, but I genuinely believe it’s worth it. If you’re like me and considering moving from a petrol or diesel car to an electric one, now is a great time to start planning. There are often discounts and incentives available, and some companies even offer benefits to employees who make the switch, which helps with their own carbon reduction efforts.

A Little Advice for You

If you’re looking for a bargain, used electric cars are becoming more affordable and more available, with many only a few years old. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

• A typical electric car can travel between 100 and 200 miles on a single charge, while high-end models like the Tesla Model S or Polestar 2 can cover around 300 miles before needing a recharge. The Mercedes EQS even claims to manage up to 452 miles on one charge.

• Some of the ranges do not match what is advertised. I read an article not long ago when someone had a bad experience with a Mercedes EV.

• The cost of charging an electric car is approximately £5 per 100 miles, provided that the cost of electricity is 18p per kWh and that the vehicle can travel at least 3.5 miles per kWh.

• Fully charging an EV with a 60 kWh battery at home costs approximately £17, while recharging an electric car at a supermarket or a car park costs approximately £26.

• The rapid charging service costs around £19 for a 30-minute charge.

• Most EV owners in the UK can use charging stations installed at their work for free. 

My advice? Start thinking about your transition strategy now and set a timeline for yourself. The more people that make the switch, the more we can collectively reduce pollution and help our country meet its net-zero targets. My plan to transition is in-progress. First, I will sell our SUV privately, use the equity as a deposit, and find a used EV that meets our needs. I’m aiming to make this transition before the year ends and will keep you updated on how it goes!

Remember to check on later issues of this newsletter to see how I am getting on with my search for an EV. I welcome any suggestions and advice from your personal experiences.

EV Fun Facts:

Here are some interesting tidbits for you, courtesy Heycar.com:

• In 2023, the sales of used electric vehicles (EVs) surged by 37.5%. By the end of the year, there were nearly a million electric cars on the roads in the UK, along with 590,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). As the UK moves closer to the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, the EV market is set to expand even further. Keep in mind that charging costs for an EV can vary depending on the battery size, and the distance you can travel on a single charge depends on factors like your driving habits and road conditions.

• 2023 was a record-breaking year for new electric car sales in the UK, with 314,687 new EVs registered. This was a significant jump from 267,204 registrations in 2022.

• Electric vehicles made up 17.8% of all new car registrations in the UK in 2023. Meanwhile, petrol-powered cars remained the most popular, capturing a 40.7% share of the market.

• Charging a typical electric car from empty to full at a 'fast' 7kW charging station usually takes about eight hours.

• Many EVs are also compatible with 'rapid' 50kW chargers, which can add around 100 miles of range in just 35 minutes.

That’s all I have for you today.

That’s all I have for you in this edition of Centre for Sustainable Intelligence.

If you have any questions or feedback please use this form. I will try my best to respond to all your questions and feedback.

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Emeka Ogbonnaya