At 10am on Tuesday 19th September 2023, there will be a conference co-hosted by Quintin Willson from FairCharge and Robert Llewelyn from Fully Charged to kick off the ‘Stop Burning Stuff' campaign. Tickets are free and you can register here.
Anyone who's taken an interest in electric vehicles over the past decade will have had the same conversations, over and over, with petrol lovers. These range from ‘the grid cannot take it' and ‘small children digging up 100 tons of mineral ore to make a single battery', through to ‘we will all move to hydrogen next year' and ‘no electric vehicle can drive 200 miles without a 12 hour recharge'. We've all been there. Now Quintin Willson and Robert Llewelyn have teamed up with a range of supporters from across the spectrum, to launch the ‘Stop Burning Stuff' campaign, which aims to overcome a tide of lies and half-truths with a stream of testable facts and science.
Electric vehicle and renewable energy advocacy group FairCharge, in collaboration with Robert Llewellyn's Fully Charged SHOW, has officially initiated the ‘Stop Burning Stuff' campaign aimed at addressing the rampant spread of misinformation concerning electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy adoption. The campaign has garnered support from scientists, climate ambassadors, and senior industry figures, seeking to promote fact-based conversations and counter the misrepresentations by some media outlets and MPs.
Willson recently urged the new energy secretary to support the campaign, emphasising its role in enhancing the UK's energy independence and security. FairCharge has played a crucial role in maintaining policies that provide stability and confidence to markets and investments in the EV sector.
Robert Llewellyn, Founder of the Fully Charged SHOW, pointed out that the UK cannot afford to fall behind in the global transition to electric vehicles, as developed countries worldwide are witnessing exponential growth in EV sales. Llewellyn cited recent manufacturing announcements by Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, and Mini in the UK but noted that the country still lags behind other nations. He stressed the importance of staying competitive to attract investment and create jobs in the EV industry.
The Stop Burning Stuff campaign will be implemented by a dedicated team tasked with countering FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) with FACTS (factual, accurate, certainty, truthful, and sensible information). The result will be a comprehensive collection of facts, figures, and infographics that media outlets and others can reference when confronted with anti-sustainability narratives. The organisation's core manifesto is pretty clear cut.
Sacha Dench, CEO and Ambassador for the UN's Convention on Migratory Species, emphasised the necessity of the campaign, citing her own experiences flying around the country in an electric paramotor to raise awareness about climate change. She highlighted the prevalence of catchy but false phrases against electric transport and the urgent need to dispel them. Dench's journey aimed to prompt the question of whether Britain, which drove the industrial revolution, can also lead the green revolution, but such efforts are hindered by misinformation.
Prominent figures from industry and science have united in their support for the Stop Burning Stuff campaign. Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director of Vehicles and Supply Chains at Transport & Energy, expressed strong backing for the campaign, noting the increasing volume of misinformation that threatens essential climate policies. She called on the media to conduct fact-checking and due diligence independently.
Dr David Bott, Principal Fellow at WMG, University of Warwick, has stressed the undeniable reality of climate change and the significant contribution of transportation to carbon dioxide emissions. He pointed out the effectiveness of electric vehicles in reducing emissions compared to petrol and diesel vehicles. Dr Bott expressed concern over the persistence of misinformation and urged a focus on scientific facts rather than alternative explanations.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New Automotive, has applauded the Stop Burning Stuff campaign, highlighting the abundance of unfounded claims about electric cars, often perpetuated by individuals with vested interests in traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Nelmes emphasised that consumers deserve accurate information to make informed choices and accelerate the UK's transition to electric vehicles. He noted that existing data already indicates a rising trend in electric car sales and expects the campaign to further boost EV adoption.
The Stop Burning Stuff campaign represents a significant effort to combat misinformation surrounding electric vehicles and renewable energy adoption. Backed by prominent figures from various fields, the campaign aims to provide the public and media with accurate information, enabling informed decisions and contributing to the growth of the electric vehicle industry in the UK.
If we as a nation and planet will, in our lifetimes, see energy prices plummet. Improvements to wind, solar, wave and other renewable technologies – will create a world where electricity is no more expensive than making video calls to the other side of the world. That disruption will bring friction and battles, but – ultimately – market forces will win and the world will become a cleaner, more affordable place to live in.
At the very least, this kind or movement will promote frank and open exchanges in formal meetings and social media forums across the globe. More information and discussion can only be a good thing. Click a link and look to understand a little more about the science around EVs.