How electric vehicles are reshaping the road ahead

The world is accelerating towards a more sustainable future, and the automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation in the process.

In a recent episode of Footman James’ Fuel for Thought podcast, hosts Kirsty Elwell-Tilley and Samantha Smith sat down with Andrew Ballard of the data analytics company LexisNexis Risk Solutions to explore how electric vehicles (EVs) are changing the game for drivers, insurers, and the environment.

An automotive engineer and a pioneer in vehicle data services, Andrew makes a good case for embracing EVs – not just as a trend, but as a technological leap forward.

More than a greener option

Our first question to Andrew: should we be worried, curious, or embrace EVs?

“I’m an early adopter of this technology,” Andrew shares. “And a convert. So, I feel I can confidently say that they should be embraced.”

Andrew highlights the mechanical simplicity of EVs compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. With fewer moving parts and no need for complex gearing systems, EVs offer a more streamlined and efficient driving experience.

This simplicity translates to environmental benefits, too, with zero tailpipe emissions and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

“If you were to put the two technologies side by side without the benefit of history,” Andrew says, “it’s a much more effective and efficient propulsion method for vehicles.”

The growing pains of new tech

Despite their technical and environmental advantages, EVs no doubt present unique challenges – particularly in the world of insurance.

At the moment, EV claims are currently significantly higher than those for non-EV vehicles, in large part due to the increased cost of repairs for EVs.

“Any new technology tends to carry with it a price premium,” Andrew explains. “Right now, the two areas of EV insurance that are particularly costly are the components themselves and the complexity of repair methods.”

There is undoubtedly a difference in skill when it comes to repairing EVs compared to conventional vehicles. “There’s still a bit of a training gap, a skills shortage, when it comes to people qualified to repair EVs,” Andrew shares. “That delay in diagnosis and repair means that electric vehicles are often off the road a bit longer. “

But things are looking up, with the cost gap between EVs and conventional vehicles narrowing. “I’m pleased to say we are seeing those costs decline even in the last nine to twelve months.”

Driving differences

EVs don’t just operate differently to conventional cars – they drive differently, too.

“An electric vehicle produces power instantaneously,” Andrew says. “So you don’t get that gradual build-up of power and torque that you do with ICEs. It’s very common for people who drive EVs for the first time to comment on how sprightly they feel.”

According to Andrew, the weight of an electric vehicle means that a lot more mass and momentum is carried. “Data suggests that there are more low-speed collisions in EVs in the early stage of an insurance policy, particularly if it’s someone’s first EV.”

There’s also regenerative braking to get used to, for those new to EVs. “When you take your foot off the accelerator, you benefit from that momentum creating charge back into the battery, but it acts like a brake,” Andrew explains. “When you get used to it, you can almost drive them on one pedal rather than have to brake."

Range anxiety and cold weather concerns

A common concern about EVs is their performance in cold weather. Sharing his own experience, Andrew noticed a 15-20% drop in range in his own EV during the colder months.

“I’ve never been stuck,” Andrew shares. “Some of the in-car sat nav and third-party apps are brilliant. They’ll tell you if you’re not going to make it and reroute to a charger.”

Andrew also emphasises the importance of planning ahead and the growing sophistication of EV navigation systems.

Hydrogen, hybrid, and the road ahead

The biggest challenge with electric vehicles is what’s called energy density, Andrew says, which is the amount of energy stored in a battery.

“They’re big, they’re expensive, and they can take quite a long time to charge compared to refuelling a vehicle with petrol or diesel,” Andrew says.

As a result, many car manufacturers, including BMW and Toyota, are looking to hydrogen cars because of the benefits of what’s called an ‘electrified drive chain’. “With hydrogen cars, the actual hydrogen fuel cell is creating the energy as opposed to the battery, meaning less weight,” Andrew says. “That’s a big advantage in a vehicle because having good carrying capacity is vital, and also reduces the time between refuelling and using the vehicle.”

But we’re not quite there yet with hydrogen cars. Andrew says, “The technical advancements in vehicle design need to go a long way before hydrogen is a comparable solution for passenger cars.”

A future in motion

As EVs become more affordable and diverse, Ballard believes we’re approaching a tipping point. With improved infrastructure, smarter technology, and growing consumer awareness, the shift to electric is not just inevitable – it’s already underway.

“They are wonderful,” he said. “And when you consider what most people want from a vehicle, I think the future’s pretty much accelerating toward electric.”

To listen to this episode, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music simply search for Fuel for Thought with Footman James on the app.

Alternatively, you can listen via desktop here: https://brnw.ch/21wU2tg.