Doctor ditches electric car she ‘couldn’t charge’ for diesel model

As electric vehicles continue to become more efficient and feature faster charging times, for many petrol and diesel owners, they can be a big change to use.

Frustration surrounding the infrastructure of electric vehicle chargers has led to one driver swapping her EV for a diesel alternative.

Lizzie Butler-Meadows, a doctor in Chichester, West Sussex, bought a second-hand electric car, but soon replaced it with a diesel-powered model.

Ms Butler-Meadows said: “We ended up needing to rent a flat for nine months with communal parking, which meant I couldn’t charge at home, and I had no chargers at work.

“Me and my husband work for the NHS and there are no chargers in my workplace either. Aside from council offices, I’ve never seen chargers at public sector workplaces like schools and hospitals.”

Whilst Lizzie was initially reluctant to give up her electric car, it soon became inconvenient to manage during her commute to work.

She explained: “We were desperate to try and keep the car because we enjoyed driving it, so we charged it at my parents’ house, which was a 10-minute walk away.

“This became too much of a pain in the middle of winter, so in the end we thought all the disadvantages outweighed any advantages.”

In June 2023, 31,770 electric cars were sold in the UK, an increase of 39.4 percent compared to the same time last year.

In comparison, only 6,221 diesel cars were sold during the month, accounting for just 3.5 percent of the overall new car market.

According to Government plans, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030, with only electric and plug in hybrid models being allowed.

However, despite having problems with owning an electric car, Lizzie Butler-Meadows has not scrapped the idea of owning one.

She explained: “I have severe asthma, so I am really aware of the need for cleaner air. Equally, I was interested in the cost saving side of things and trying them since they are the future.

“The tax was free, maintenance was cheap and it sailed through its MOT. It was also appealing to not have to be going to the petrol station all the time.”