From commuters to cab drivers, from policemen to parents on the school run, it has left road users frustrated and fuming the length and breadth of Britain.
But as the nation continues to battle the fuel crisis, queuing for petrol or stuck on empty at home, there is one group of people who have smugly carried on with their lives — those who rely on battery-power, not fossil fuels, to meet their transport needs.
Because for users of electric cars, motorcycles and bikes it has been business as usual. Unplug and go.
And as they whizzed about their day, it was clearly something that did not go unnoticed by those forced to waste hours of their lives waiting to fill up their vehicles.
As the nation continues to battle the fuel crisis, it's business as usual for owners of electric cars. Here we look at the options available as the nation makes its journey from A to E...
Online searches for electric vehicles exploded by an incredible 1,500 per cent.
Meanwhile, car sales website Auto Trader reported a ‘huge spike’ in demand for electric cars suggesting that motorists were panic-buying more than just petrol and diesel.
‘Not only did the number of advert views for new and used electric models increase a record 28 per cent and 61 per cent respectively versus the previous weekend, but we also saw a huge uplift in the number of people sending enquiries to retailers, with one sent every two minutes,’ said Ian Plummer, Auto Trader’s commercial director.
‘This suggests that people aren’t simply flirting with the idea of electric but have been encouraged to actively pursue a purchase.’
The same applies to bicycles. Retailer Halfords reported a 106 per cent increase in orders for electric bikes compared with the previous weekend.
Companies taking part in e-scooter trials in cities including Bristol and Birmingham also saw rental bookings rise — up by a third during commuter hours.
So, with the prospect of future disruptions to supply to come, it seems that one consequence of the fuel crisis has been to turbo boost the switch to ‘E’ transport.
And with every day that passes, the range of options increases — earlier this week Rolls-Royce announced the launch of its first all-electric car, Spectre. With an expected price-tag of £300,000 this battery-powered vehicle will doubtless put the ‘E’ into luxureee.
Here, TOM RAWSTORNE looks at the options available as the nation makes its journey from A to E.
A taste of Italy
Vespa Elettrica
Cost: £6,300
Range: 50 miles
The Vespa Elettrica (pictured), which costs £6,300, offers top speeds of 30 mph and the battery charges in four hours
If your daily commute is more urban jungle than open road, there’s nothing like a nippy moped to beat the traffic. And now you can do it in style — and silence — on the Vespa Elettrica.
With two versions offering top speeds of either 30 mph or 44 mph it comes with a multi-media system that connects with your smartphone via Bluetooth and allows you to take calls and listen to music safely using your scooter’s screen.
Cheaper alternatives are on the market — this one is all about the badge.
Battery charges in four hours.
Electrifying sports car
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Cost: From £139,280
Range: 257 miles
The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is viewed by many in the know as the best electric car of all time and the battery can charge from next to nothing to around 80 per cent in 20 minutes
Viewed by many in the know as the best electric car of all time, the Porsche Taycan is eye-poppingly fast — think 0 to 60 in less than three seconds and a top speed of 161 mph — and yet retains the classic looks of the marque.
While the range starts at ‘just’ £73,000, add a turbo and a few other bells and whistles and the price more than doubles. Anyone who can afford to splash that sort of cash probably won’t need to car-share on the commute to work — but if they do, the good news is that unlike some sports cars there’s room in the back for three passengers.
And it’s not a worry if any of them are vegans — a recycled, non-leather interior is also available. A fast charger will charge the battery from next to nothing to around 80 per cent in 20 minutes, or nine hours at home.
Commute like a hollywood star
Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Cost: From £28,995
Range: 146 miles
Ewan McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman recently travelled the length of South America on their Harley-Davidson LiveWires (pictured)
When it comes to hitting the open road on a motorbike, there’s nothing quite like a Harley-Davidson. But there’s also nothing remotely ‘cool’ about spending six hours dressed in your leathers sat outside your local Morrisons petrol station waiting to fill up your tank.
Fear not — the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is here. With an acceleration of 0 to
