Top Gear provokes renewed debate on pros and cons of electric cars

An item on the Jeremy Clarkson-fronted TV show implying that electric vehicles have far more limited ranges between charges than their manufacturers claim led to some angry rebuttals in the press, but also some strong support for Clarkson’s views on EVs.

Rik Thomas

12 August 2011

The Times on August 2

The merits, or otherwise, of electric cars received a substantial airing in the media last week, largely on the back of an item on them in the Top Gear television programme. The programme generated a significant amount of controversy after it was alleged that Jeremy Clarkson and his fellow presenters had faked a Nissan Leaf electric car running out of charge after travelling for just a few miles. “It was embarrassing for Nissan,” The Times’ media editor, Ben Webster, said on...