In November, char.gy took over ST.ART Gallery for a week-long public exhibition with a clear mission: to help more people feel confident about electric vehicles.
The exhibition brought to life the findings of our latest report, What everyone should know about EVs. Commissioned by char.gy and conducted by YouGov, the research surveyed more than 1,000 UK drivers, both EV and non-EV, to better understand perceptions of electric vehicles and, crucially, the misconceptions that continue to slow adoption.
What we found was striking, but not entirely surprising. While awareness of EVs is high, confidence is not. The report explores the physical, financial and emotional barriers holding drivers back, from concerns about charging availability and cost, to uncertainty around new technology and government policy. Underpinning many of these barriers is something less tangible but equally powerful: fear of change.
To make these insights accessible beyond the pages of a report, we partnered with artist Harriet Butler to translate the research into a visual experience. Butler created a series of artworks, each responding to one of the 12 most common EV myths uncovered in the research. Through bold imagery and thoughtful detail, the pieces captured the anxieties, assumptions and questions that many drivers hold, and invited visitors to challenge them.
The result was an exhibition that didn’t just inform, but sparked conversation. Open to the public throughout the week, the gallery welcomed EV drivers, non-EV drivers, local residents and passers-by, alongside our council partners, other local authorities and EV industry experts. Importantly, we also invited the people who use char.gy charge points every day, our drivers, to be part of the discussion.
Alongside the artwork, we hosted a series of talks and panels to explore the themes of the report in more depth. We were joined by Melanie Shufflebotham from Zapmap and Tanya Sinclair from EVUK, who shared their perspectives on the current state of EV adoption, charging infrastructure and what needs to change to support drivers.
Speakers from char.gy also took to the floor, covering our technology, product roadmap and the key findings from the report itself. These sessions gave attendees the chance to ask questions, share experiences and hear directly from the people building and shaping the UK’s charging network.
One message came through clearly across the week: tackling EV myths isn’t about persuasion, it’s about confidence. When drivers have clear, trustworthy information about cost, convenience, infrastructure and reliability, fear gives way to understanding.
That’s why this exhibition mattered. By combining independent research, honest conversation and creative storytelling, we aimed to meet drivers where they are, acknowledge their concerns, and provide the facts they need to make informed decisions.
As the transition to electric continues, giving people confidence will be just as important as building infrastructure. Our week at ST.ART Gallery was one small but meaningful step towards doing exactly that.