The myth of the electric car is exploded by the Royal Society of Chemistry in a hard-hitting piece featured in the influential journal Research Fortnight, published today.

In it, the RSC chief executive, Dr Richard Pike, says: "...in the UK right now there is a woolly thinking, a lack of scientific scrutiny and, from 2011, a potential waste of £250 million of public money, to subsidise the purchase of over 50,000 vehicles."

The article goes on to assert:

Carbon emissions advantage of the electric car in today's UK would be small.

50,000 electric cars would lower the total UK carbon footprint by less than 0.01%. 

£250 million represents more than one-third of the annual budget of the science and engineering funding council at a time when research scientists involved in energy, climate change and sustainability are struggling for financial support.

The decision on the major step of providing the £250 million subsidy is based on limited practical information.

Reports on the performance of electric cars are confusing the public.

A sizable switch to electric cars might mean the end of tax-free electricity.