Electric cars @ Radio 4 > 'the energy transition' >>> >>> and the missing infrastructure in East Devon

This evening, Radio 4 looked at electric cars:

Electric Cars
In Business 11 January 2018
There is a motoring revolution underway: the fast accelerating switch from petrol and diesel cars, to electric vehicles. 

In Norway, almost 40% of new car purchases are now fully electric or hybrids. Other countries are starting to catch up, and are setting ambitious targets. 

Britain wants to ban the sale of all petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Oxford wants to ban non-electric vehicles from parts of the city centre by 2020. Motor manufacturers are investing vast sums in the development of new electric models. Those who don't, risk being left behind. 

And yet, as Peter Morgan reports, obstacles remain. Many drivers feel "range anxiety", the fear that the car battery will run out before they can recharge it. And electric cars are not cheap to buy.
But costs are coming down fast, batteries will soon last for hundreds of miles, and charge-points are being installed in more and more places. So much so, that there's a new land grab going on for market share. Start-ups are getting in on the act, and even big oil companies like Shell are branching out into this business.
Nevertheless, where will all the extra electricity come from? Will there be standardisation of the charging infrastructure, so drivers don't end up frustrated at a charge-point where their plug doesn't fit?
And while electric cars don't emit toxic fumes like nitrogen oxides, how much difference do they actually make to harmful particulates in the air?

BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Electric Cars

Indeed, Shell is talking about an 'energy transition':
Climate change and energy transitions | Shell Global
Energy transition - Shell Sustainability Report 2016 - Shell
Shell takes cautious approach to green energy transition - Financial Times

Meanwhile, Norway shows the way:
In Norway, Electric and Hybrid Cars Outsell Conventional Models - The New York Times
More than half of Norway's new car sales now electric or hybrid, figures show | World news | The Guardian

As does Oxford:
An English city might become the world's first zero emission zone - Business Insider
Electric cars to rule once Oxford introduces 'world-first' zero-emissions zone - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Oxford to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles and become ‘world’s first zero-emissions zone’ | The Independent

However, there are issues over electric cars;
Futures Forum: The future of electric vehicles: the issues

There's the issue of batteries:
Futures Forum: Conflict minerals in your gadgetry > the blood and sweat in phones and batteries

It's Getting Harder to Source Metal for Electric-Car Batteries, Report Says

The race to build more electric cars is straining supplies of cobalt.

BY STEPHEN EDELSTEIN JANUARY 11, 2018

Automakers have ambitious plans to fill their lineups with electric cars and hybrids, but they could face a major roadblock, according to Bloomberg. Because while the number of battery-powered cars automakers want to build appears to be limitless, the amount of metals that go into the batteries is finite...

It's Getting Harder to Source Metal for Electric-Car Batteries - The Drive

There's the issue of too many cars on the road anyway:
Futures Forum: By 2030 you probably won't own the car you drive

Instead of a new car, this city wants you to try sharing an electric ride instead
Suhas Bhat December 14, 2017

Singapore, one of the most expensive places on earth to own a car, is steadily reducing the numbers of private vehicles on its roads. Yet to ensure residents can get a ride, it’s promoting electric-car sharing.
As part of those plans, BlueSG, which bills itself as an emissions-free, use-when-you-want car-sharing service, launched in Singapore on Tuesday (Dec. 12). The company offers 80 electric cars that users can rent through an app, drive to their destination, and then drop off at one of 32 parking locations across the island. Singapore is already home to at least three car-sharing firms—Smove, CarClub, and WhizzCar—which had a combined membership of more than 20,000 members in 2016.

BlueSG: To reduce private cars, Singapore's promoting electric car sharing instead — Quartz

And there's the issue of infrastructure:
Futures Forum: The future of transport > 'intelligent mobility'

EAST DEVON IN BOTTOM TEN PERCENT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS
11 JAN 2018
“East Devon:
Has 202 electric vehicles, and 0 public charging points.
This equates to <0.01 public charging points per electric vehicle, ranking it 328/380 in the country.
Electric vehicles make up 0.22% of all cars and vans in East Devon.”

East Devon in bottom ten percent for electric vehicle charging points | East Devon Watch
Interactive map reveals best places for electric cars | Daily Mail Online

You could always go by bike:
Futures Forum: The ultimate infrastructure project of 2017: the world's biggest bicycle parking garage

But the odds are against:
Futures Forum: Finance, ideology and infrastructure
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