PHOTOGR APHY MAX EDLESTON
T he new zero-emission vehicle mandate means folk like me, still clinging onto our ICE motors, are going to have to take a proper interest in electric cars. Which is why I find myself behind the wheel of one of the latest: aBMW i5 eDrive40 MSport Pro. I’m taking it to Cheltenham, home of the famous spa waters and of Cleevely Electric Vehicles, one of the UK’s leading independent electric vehicle garages, where I hope to receive my EV baptism.
The emergence of businesses like Cleevely is one of the fascinating things about the EV revolution. At the beginning, early adopters of the cars quickly realised most main dealers knew little about them and cared even less. With a passion for EVs, garage owner Matt Cleevely saw an opportunity to transform his business into an EV repair, maintenance and support operation that is now a destination for owners.