Electric Cars

Cars are an essential part of life for many of us. But new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale in 2030 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electric cars are selling fast, but are not without controversy.

Justin Rowlatt, the BBC's climate editor, explores if the UK is on track to hit the government's targets to stop emitting greenhouse gases by 2050.  In this episode, he investigates electric cars to see if they are good enough to replace petrol. He meets an ex-petrolhead who converts classic cars to electric for a living. Justin puts a converted VW Beetle to the test in the glorious Welsh countryside and heads to Ford's Dagenham plant to see what the change to electric means for the UK's car industry.

Presenter Michelle Ackerley investigates the frustrations people face trying to charge their electric cars. She explores the difficulties in building the UK's charging infrastructure and why it's not happening fast enough. Michelle meets the companies building the charging network and questions if it's possible to meet the government's targets and the needs of electric car drivers. She discovers the future of car charging and the problems of superfast chargers.

Environmental scientist Dr Tara Shine questions the cost of electric cars and meets battery experts to understand the global forces at play affecting prices for decades to come. She investigates alternatives to electric cars such as synthetic fuel which can replace petrol, and puts a hydrogen powered car to the test.