GRACE:
With the heightened awareness of environmental issues, more and more people are starting to take notice. We can all do our bit to help and I know electric cars are meant to be a greener option but I couldn’t begin to tell you why?
Last time, Marie gave me some great insight into the distances EVs can travel. Now I want to know more about their environmental impact. So, I've been looking for someone to get me up to speed on the facts. And I think I've found just the guy to give me the lowdown.
Episode 2: Eco-friendly drive
Name: Glyn Hudson
Occupation: Electronic Engineer
Type of car: Nissan e-NV200 Campervan
Best Electric road trip: Norway
GRACE:
Hi Glyn, I've been watching your videos and I wondered if I could ask you a few questions on going electric?
GLYN:
Yes, sure. It’s a bit cold and windy out here, shall we go and sit inside?
GRACE:
Yeah, let's get comfy. I've got quite a few questions to ask you. So Glyn, how did you get interested in electric cars?
GLYN:
Well, I've always been passionate about environmental issues and at the same time, I've always enjoyed traveling and the freedom. So, looking at ways that I could still experience traveling in the same way, but with a lower environmental impact and that's what got me, you know, got me interested in electric vehicles.
GRACE:
Is the environmental impact the most important reason you went electric?
GLYN:
Yes, certainly initially. That's what got, you know, got me excited initially. But then once I experienced electric vehicles and realised how nice they were to drive and experienced the low, you know, the low running costs and everything… I just thought, you know, this is the future and I've got to try this and haven't looked back since.
GRACE:
And what van is it we’re in today?
GLYN:
So this is a Nissan e-NV200 van, which I've converted to a campervan and I did windows, rock and roll bed… quite well featured campervan
GRACE:
Yeah, it looks great. There's like everything you need in here. So instead of using petrol, you use electricity, but that electricity has to come from somewhere too, doesn't it?
GLYN:
Yes, certainly. In 2020, 40% of the UK's electricity came from renewable sources. And at home, I've got solar panels on my house at home, so that helps contribute towards the energy I use to charge the vehicle. And what electricity I do import from the grid is 100% renewably matched by my energy provider. So, when I chose the vehicle, I can be confident that the energy is coming from, you know, renewable generation.
GRACE:
Wow. I didn't even realise they had renewable tariffs. That's great. So, I always knew electric cars and electric vehicles were greener, but I just didn't know why. So you've got a YouTube channel, is the reason you started it to get this info out there?
GLYN:
Yeah, that's right. I just wanted to share our experiences with driving electric vehicles. And also, we've taken this van, this campervan, on quite a few long road trips into Europe. We’ve been to, like, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and I wanted to show that it was possible to take an electric campervan on these sorts of road trips.
GRACE:
No, hearing about your travels really has opened my eyes here to things I didn't even know you could do with electric vehicles! So, it's great, it's really great. And one last question, Glyn, what advice would you give to someone that's thinking about going electric?
GLYN:
The best thing is to try and get a test drive. Just to experience what it's like to drive an electric vehicle and, if possible, try and get it for like a long weekend or even like a short term lease for a few weeks, just to see how it fits into your life. And I think, you know, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
GRACE:
Thanks so much for speaking to me today, Glyn. I've learned so much more about EVs.
GLYN:
Not a problem at all. Really, really good to chat to you.
GRACE:
Thanks, bye! Well, there you go. Now I know how EVs are better for the environment and cheaper too. Thanks to Glyn, I'm all clued up and I think I might be getting the electric bug.
END of Electric Personalities episode 2: Eco-friendly drive
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