BERLIN – MARCH 22: Actor Rowan Atkinson attends a photocall to “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” at the Adlon Hotel on March 22, 2007 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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Driven to despair
Comedy legend ‘Mr Bean’ (Rowan Atkinson), made headlines across the U.K. earlier this month, not for his comedic genius, but for his comments about how much he hated his electric car.
Despite this, electric vehicles sales are booming. In 2023 almost 1 in 5 cars sold worldwide will be electric, according to the latest projections.
And yet, the number of anti-electric car stories grows just as fast. Just like Mr Bean’s latest rant, much of the hysteria centers around long journeys and access to chargers.
As Forbes’ resident electric car expert James Morris wrote this week, driving long distances in an electric vehicle isn’t difficult at all. It just requires a little bit of planning.
I speak from personal experience too. James’ writing convinced me to buy my first electric car and so far, it has exceeded my expectations.
There’s a ‘Darwinism’ when it comes to owning one. Once you learn the simple tricks for survival: charge before you leave home and plan a stop along the way (ideally timed with a bathroom break or lunch), you’re good to go. One year in, I can’t imagine going back to a noisy old gas-guzzler.
One thing I’ve learned after almost 2 decades of covering innovation is that change is never straightforward. There will always be people who refuse to adapt to the latest technologies or ways of getting around.
The joke’s on Mr Bean. EVs will replace combustion-based cars, whether he likes it or not. The environmental benefits are clear. And the tech continues to get better and better.
Electrification is a journey, and I fully embrace it.
Five Things We Learned
Silvio Berlusconi left a $6.8 billion fortune. Former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul has graced the Forbes billionaire list since 1988, built a European media empire and an unrivaled political legacy in Italy.
A ‘new’ Beatles song will be released this year, thanks to AI. Paul McCartney announced the “final track” has been created by “extricating” the voice of John Lennon from an old recording. Advances in AI can now bring previously lost tracks to life. AI you need is love.
Drinking alcohol can reduce your stress levels. The latest studies from Massachusetts General Hospital found a link between light and moderate consumption of alcohol and reduced stress levels and improved health. Hold up: light drinking is defined as just one drink per day.
There’s been an “exponential rise” in lost baggage. With airports and airlines stretched to the max this summer, the numbers of bags reported missing are on the rise. Think before you check in that bag?
The Tamagotchi is back. 90s nostalgia just hit a new high with the reboot of the keychain-sized gaming device for the 2020s. Launching in July, the Tamagotchi Uni features wifi connectivity, a color screen and all the fun features of the 90s original.
The Good
California’s $100 billion electric bullet train will be fully solar powered. The Golden State has started plans to build a $200 million utility-scale solar system to power the new rail link between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The line is expected to open by 2030.
The Bad
Another city banned pride flags. Hamtramck, a two-square-mile city near Detroit, became the latest in a series of municipalities to ban LGBTQ flags from city buildings. Never forget: guns don’t hurt people, flags do.
Watch
Africa’s new $5 billion megadam will block the Nile. The Renaissance dam will be 145 meters deep, almost the height of a skyscraper, but the Ethiopian project is marred in political controversy, and could cut the river off from neighboring countries. The B1M, YouTube, free to watch worldwide.
Listen
The black market behind your takeaway meal. The person dropping off your dinner to your door may not be who you think they are. The Times reveals a loophole in the food delivery app system allowing workers to sell access to their accounts to others, including undocumented migrants. Stories of our Times, free to listen worldwide.
Read
Having it all is overrated. The Success Myth is the latest masterpiece by author, podcaster and Forbes Under 30 listmaker Emma Gannon. A timely book that reminds us our work doesn’t define all of who we are. Transworld, $12.
Taste
The Savoy’s $80 beef wellington. It isn’t Instagram-friendly, but the Savoy Grill’s much-hyped beef wellington showcases “phenomenal cooking”, writes our expert contributor. A testament to the lasting power of culinary tradition, and worth every penny.
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