Rowan Atkinson Criticized for Impact on Electric Vehicle Sales

A report by the House of Lords and comments from environmental groups blame the actor for influencing public perception against EVs.

Rowan Atkinson, known for his roles as Mr. Bean and Johnny English, has been criticized for negatively influencing public perception of electric vehicles (EVs) following an op-ed he wrote.
The House of Lords' environment and climate change committee cited a report blaming Atkinson for slow EV adoption in the UK, highlighting the actor's comments on EVs as 'soulless'.
Environmental think tank Green Alliance and other experts have debunked Atkinson's claims, emphasizing the global environmental benefits of EVs over combustion-engine cars.
The UK faces challenges in increasing EV adoption, including high costs, insufficient charging infrastructure, and mixed government messaging.
Only a small percentage of the House of Lords' committee members drive EVs, underscoring the broader issue of slow EV adoption among the public.