The petrol panic might last days or we could be in for an extended period of fuel supply and transport issues. During these uncertain times, many key workers still need to drive in order to help provide essential services. That's hard to do when many petrol stations are closed and the ones that are open have huge queues. Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, has a practical solution – calling on the EV community to help out in this time of need.
A new public group has been set up on Facebook to try to help with this situation. It is called EVs for Essential Workers and it encourages EV owners to offer a free ride to essential workers in their area.
If you have an EV and are able to offer a ride to an essential worker, then you can join the group here and post your availability.
The group's motivation is simple enough, ‘During these unprecedented times we need to help each other out. Essential workers have worked tirelessly in the last several months for all of us and they shouldn't be waiting in queues at petrol stations just to do their jobs.'
With Brian Madderon, Chairman of the Petrol Retailer's Association, confirming earlier today that the fuel crisis, “Appears to be continuing” there is no immediate end in sight as drivers, “Refuel whenever and wherever they can.”
If you're based in the UK, have an EV, are fully vaccinated and Covid negative – then join the group and let essential workers know when you are able to help.
Similarly, if you know key workers who are stuck/worried about transport – let them know that they might be able to get help from the group.
We'd advise drivers and passengers who want to take part, to make sure they establish each other's identity, being clear about the pick-up point, destination and likely route and, of course, ensuring that all parties have been vaccinated – all good common sense and no hassle with genuine offers of help.
Finally, for those who are thinking about an EV to get around any potential fuel issues in the future, it's worth checking the savings available from the Octopus Salary Sacrifice scheme.
Details on how you could save up to 40% on traditional car schemes can be found over here.
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