As of: February 18, 2024, 7:33 a.m
By: Simon Mones
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Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean, jumped on the electric bandwagon early.
In 2023 he vented his disappointment.
With dramatic consequences, according to some experts.
The electric boom has currently stalled somewhat.
The number of registrations in Germany has fallen noticeably, although many manufacturers are accepting the environmental bonus or enticing them with steep discounts.
And in Great Britain, electric vehicles are also having a hard time despite growing new car sales.
The proportion remains at 16 percent.
As in the EU, no new combustion engines will come onto the market from 2035 onwards.
A (co-)culprit has already been found: Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson.
At least this is the opinion of the experts at the non-profit think tank Green Alliance.
The reason: Atkinson was
very critical of electric cars in an article for the
Guardian in June 2023.
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Despite his love for electric cars: Atkinson feels “increasingly betrayed”
The electric vehicles are “a bit soulless” but “wonderful machines,” the comedian wrote and emphasized: “I love electric vehicles – and was one of the first users.
But I feel increasingly cheated!” He bought his first hybrid vehicle 18 years ago.
The comedian has been traveling purely electrically for nine years.
Still, he feels like the “honeymoon with electric cars is coming to an end, and that’s not a bad thing.”
Is Rowan Atkinson to blame for Brits buying fewer electric cars?
© Avalon.red/Imago
And Atkinson's words certainly carry weight.
Even though he celebrated his greatest successes as the stupid Mr. Bean, the actor is anything but stupid.
On the contrary: the 69-year-old has a university degree in electrical engineering and electronics.
There is also a master's degree in control systems.
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Rowan Atkinson criticizes the electric car – Guardian has to make improvements
But the popular actor is also wrong on some points.
In his article he also deals with the advantages and disadvantages.
Atkinson also addresses greenhouse gases and the durability of lithium-ion batteries.
However, the article had to be improved several times because the Mr. Bean actor's statements did not correspond to the facts.
This was even followed by a rebuttal from the Guardian entitled: “Fact check – why Rowan Atkinson is wrong about electric cars!”
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The comedian is also wrong about the benefits for the environment and therefore has something in common with the engine expert Fritz Indra.
“Mr Atkinson's biggest mistake is that he did not recognize that electric vehicles already offer significant environmental benefits worldwide compared to cars with combustion engines,” criticizes British climate and energy expert Simon Evans, according to
Bild
.
It is doubtful whether Mr. Bean is really (partially) to blame for the fact that the British are buying fewer electric cars.
Rather, it is a combination of higher acquisition costs, poor charging infrastructure and mixed messages about relevance and effectiveness.