Grant Shapps says there are ‘tentative signs of stabilisation’

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And one Labour MP’s observation that he was “glad he had switched to electric” prompted one Twitter user to observe: “There’s smug, and there’s ‘I have an electric car’ smug.” Meanwhile new research has revealed a massive spike in sales of electric vehicles this month in comparison with last year.

Chaos at the pumps continued unabated overnight, with filling stations in many parts of the country running dry.

Ministers today have rejected criticism that Boris Johnson failed to mobilise the Army quickly enough as the fuel crisis showed little sign of abating.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that ordering troops to begin preparing to take on deliveries was the 18th separate measure take by the Government since the spring to alleviate pressure on supplies.

However he admitted Brexit had “no doubt” been a factor in the current problems with a continuing shortage of lorry drivers.

Many Twitter users took the opportunity to rub salt in the wound, sharing numerous memes featuring the likes of Tom Cruise, Leonardo Di Caprio and even Kermit the Frog and captioned: “Electric car owners right now”.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough, tweeted: “Seeing long queues and closed petrol pumps, glad I switched last year to electric car.

JUST IN: Fuel crisis chaos – ‘Selfish’ drivers savaged after frenzy

There’s smug, and there’s ‘I have an electric car’ smug

John Evans

John Evans replied: “There’s smug, and there’s ‘I have an electric car’ smug.”

Zara Arif said: “I am not sure Labour could have managed the situation any better, from COVID-19 to food and petrol shortages.

“Most of us cannot afford electric cars and Slough lacks infrastructure.”

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However, Mr Dhesi was not without his supporters.

Claire Wright posted: “I thought an EV was unaffordable, but when you factor in the running costs, or lack of, my new EV works out the same price (on a 4yr PCP) of buying a 3yr old automatic petrol car (I have osteoarthritis).

“I’m now saving £150pm on petrol and ‘car tax’. Look at the bigger picture.”

Meanwhile, sales and interest in electric cars have intensified in the midst of the current crisis across the UK with one company recording a 228.57 percent increase in sales this month compared to the equivalent period in 2020.

A spokesman for LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said the company had seen record numbers of enquiries in recent days.

He explained: “There is much uncertainty among motorists at the present time about the situation with petrol and diesel.

“Many drivers across the UK have spent a long time over the last week looking for petrol stations which are open in order to buy fuel.

“With the current struggles, it makes the concept of owning or leasing an electric car even more appealing, as people would not be reliant on a petrol or diesel pump in order to get around and make critical journeys.

“For these reasons it is perhaps no surprise more and more people are considering electric cars.”

There are currently around 300,000 completely electric cars, or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the UK roads currently, with 600,000 plug-in models and hybrids (PHEV).

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