Why 'Mr. Bean' Is Feeling A 'Little Duped' By Electric Cars

Renowned actor, automotive enthusiast, and engineer Rowan Atkinson — most famous for playing the comical “Mr. Bean” on British TV — expressed his feelings of being “a little duped” by electric vehicles, despite being an early adopter. 

What Happened: In an opinion piece published in The Guardian, Atkinson highlighted his concerns about the environmental claims surrounding electric motoring. 

“Electric motoring doesn’t seem to be quite the environmental panacea it is claimed to be,” Atkinson wrote.

Citing figures released by Volvo AB before the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Atkinson noted that the production of electric vehicles emits more greenhouse gases compared to manufacturing petrol-powered vehicles due to the utilization of lithium-ion batteries. 

Although alternatives such as solid-state batteries and hydrogen are emerging, their development progress is sluggish, according to the actor.

‘Fast Fashion:’ Furthermore, Atkinson criticized the prevailing “fast fashion” sales culture in the automobile industry, where cars are replaced every three years. He emphasized that older vehicles still have much to offer, and it would be prudent to explore ways to prolong their lifespan while reducing their environmental impact.

“Increasingly, I’m sensing that our honeymoon with electric cars is coming to an end,” Atkinson expressed, underscoring that the day when electric propulsion genuinely delivers substantial environmental benefits has yet to materialize.

Counterpoints: It’s worth noting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously debunked several of Atkinson’s arguments, categorizing them as “myths.” 

According to the EPA, electric vehicles typically have lower lifetime greenhouse gas emissions compared to average gasoline-powered vehicles, even when accounting for the manufacturing process.

This discussion holds significance as it adds to the ongoing debate surrounding electric vehicle adoption and its environmental implications.

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