Mr. Bean Actor’s Criticism of Electric Vehicles Blamed for Sluggish UK Sales

Actor Rowan Atkinson sits in his car after the St. Mary's trophy during the Goodwood Revival 2012 in Chichester, UK, on Sept. 15, 2012. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Actor Rowan Atkinson has found himself at the center of a debate regarding the impact of his commentary on electric vehicles (EVs), with critics suggesting that his remarks have hindered the progress of EV adoption and sales in the UK.

During a recent session of the House of Lords’ environment and climate change committee, the think tank Green Alliance referenced an opinion piece penned by Mr. Atkinson, known for his role in “Mr. Bean” and “Johnny English,” which was published in The Guardian in June 2023. In their assessment, the think tank described Mr. Atkinson’s article as detrimental to the cause of transitioning away from petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

According to the pressure group, Mr. Atkinson’s article, titled “I love electric vehicles - and was an early adopter. But increasingly I feel duped,” has been widely criticized and debunked. They emphasized the challenge of correcting misinformation once it has been disseminated, stressing the importance of maintaining high editorial standards, particularly in the context of the net zero transition.

In his piece, Mr. Atkinson expressed reservations about EVs, describing them as “a bit soulless” and raising concerns about the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries. He proposed alternative solutions such as prolonging the use of existing vehicles and exploring synthetic fuel options, suggesting that the enthusiasm for electric cars may be waning.

Despite Mr. Atkinson’s background in electrical and electronic engineering, where he earned a degree, he advised caution regarding EV adoption, particularly recommending against it for most people, unless they have older diesel vehicles.

Following the publication of Mr. Atkinson’s article, Simon Evans, deputy editor and senior policy editor of climate news site Carbon Brief, penned a response in The Guardian. Mr. Evans contested Mr. Atkinson’s assertions, highlighting the environmental benefits already offered by electric vehicles compared to traditional combustion-engine cars.

Mr. Atkinson’s perspective has been cited as part of a broader concern regarding the impact of misleading information on EV sales. In addition to Mr. Atkinson’s commentary, challenges discussed during the committee meeting included a lack of charging infrastructure, higher EV prices, and inconsistent government messaging on the transition to electric vehicles.

Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, has raised doubts about the wisdom of the automotive industry’s push to phase out gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric ones.

Speaking to reporters in Thailand, Mr. Toyoda questioned the exclusive focus on electric vehicles (EVs), noting that many within the industry share his concerns but feel unable to voice them openly. Last year, Toyota announced plans to manufacture 3.5 million electric vehicles annually by 2030.

“People involved in the auto industry are largely a silent majority,” Mr. Toyoda remarked. “That silent majority is wondering whether EVs are really OK to have as a single option. But they think it’s the trend so they can’t speak out loudly,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Toyoda has reportedly been advocating this viewpoint to governments and industry stakeholders. Despite General Motors’ plans to increase electric car production in North America significantly, with a target of one million units by 2025, the company has not yet abandoned its internal combustion engine cars and trucks.

Celebrities Who Experienced Troubles With Electric Vehicles

Actor Glenn Howerton, known for his role in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” shared a mishap involving his Tesla during a podcast, revealing that his vehicle became stranded in a Los Angeles parking garage for over 24 hours.

Mr. Howerton recounted being locked out of his Tesla after his key fob malfunctioned. Additionally, he was unable to access the vehicle through the app due to poor internet connectivity in the basement garage, which normally serves as a fail-safe in such situations.

In a separate incident, singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow sought advice on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2019 after experiencing a black screen issue with her Tesla. Although she initially contemplated returning the car, Ms. Crow later disclosed that the problem was resolved after one of her children inadvertently changed the settings.

Similarly, celebrity jeweler Ben Baller found himself locked inside his Tesla in March 2019 when the doors failed to open. After waiting nearly an hour for Tesla service assistance, Mr. Baller resorted to exiting through the trunk.

Another Tesla incident involved actor Mena Massoud, who crashed his $85,000 Model 3 into a tree in September 2018. Mr. Massoud attributed the accident to faulty suspension, leading him to file a lawsuit against Tesla. According to court documents obtained by Forbes, Mr. Massoud described feeling a sudden “pop” before experiencing brake engagement, steering wheel lock, and eventual collision with a tree.

Celebrities Who Endorsed Electric Vehicles

Leonardo DiCaprio has a track record of owning eco-friendly vehicles. In the past, he famously arrived at the Oscars in a Toyota Prius. He later disclosed to Top Gear, “I have my Fisker, obviously, and I have a Lexus hybrid, but I don’t own anything else ... ever since I learned about hybrid vehicles, that’s all I’ve really owned.”

In 2012, Oprah Winfrey made headlines by gifting Tesla Model S cars to her studio audience, introducing a broader audience to the luxury and innovation of electric vehicles.

Arnold Schwarzenegger also publicly endorsed his electric Hummer.