Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales
Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords.
The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for The Guardian, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed.
Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries.
These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales.
UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.”
Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure.
Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.”
Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.”
"Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said.
For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle.
The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales.
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