Our instructor Pete is making the change from conventional combustion engines to electric.
Lessons in an Electric Vehicle (EV) are classed as automatic lessons and learners will have to take an automatic driving test, so will not be eligible to drive a manual car.
For learners, their early lessons will follow the same format as lessons in a manual vehicle as they will need to master the same manoeuvres and demonstrate the same safe driving skills. However, as they continue learning in an electric vehicle they will learn the specifics like charging, understanding distance that can be covered on a fully charged vehicle, dashboard symbols, as well as regenerative braking.
Driving an electric vehicle isn’t too different to driving an automatic vehicle, but many drivers have concerns about switching to an EV because of charge point confusion and availability.
Qualified drivers who take a refresher lesson in an EV will learn about charging, range and regenerative braking as well as the day-to-day considerations of driving an EV.
It is time for us all to accept that the world of cars is changing, younger people are beginning to see that the 2035 deadline banning new petrol and diesel cars is not that far away so they are thinking that they do not necessarily need to learn how to change gear as in the future all vehicles will be automatic.
Look out for Pete in the Black Vauxhall Corsa from 12 October 23.
