Popular British actor Rowan Atkinson, also known as ‘Mr Bean’, is now being blamed for damaging the reputation of electric vehicles (EVs) which are rapidly gaining popularity.
Atkinson was mentioned in the House of Lords during a meeting of the environment and climate change panel, Sky News reported.
According to the report, a thinktank expressed its views on the obstacles faced by the British government in phasing out petrol and diesel cars before 2035. The Green Alliance alleged that an article by Atkinson published in June last year was ‘damaging’ to the cause.
Last year, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK had moved back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035. He said the cars would still be available for purchase in the second-hand market.
“Unfortunately, fact checking never reaches the same audience as the original false claim,” the think tank was quoted as saying in its letter, stressing the need to ensure high editorial standards around the net zero transition. Is.”
‘EVs are a bit benign,’ the Mr Bean actor wrote in the article.
Atkinson titled the article, “I love electric vehicles – and I was an early adopter. But I’m slowly feeling betrayed.”
According to the actor, electric vehicles were “kinda lifeless”. He also criticized their use of lithium-ion batteries.
The Mr Bean actor suggested solutions like keeping drivers from keeping the same car for longer periods of time and said the increased use of synthetic fuels would eliminate the need for EVs.
According to the report, Atkinson said he has advised his friends to be patient on EVs unless they have an older diesel vehicle. The following week, the UK website The Guardian published a response to a Carbon Brief journalist that rejected Atkinson’s claims.
According to Simon Evans, Atkinson failed to recognize the benefits to the global environment of electric vehicles compared to combustion-engine vehicles.
Other challenges highlighted during the House of Lords panel meeting included the lack of enough charging points, high prices of EVs and a lack of clear messaging from the government.
