“Mr. Bean” Actor Rowan Atkinson Blamed For U.K. E.V. Sales Slump

You really can’t make this stuff up.

"Rowan Atkinson blamed for poor electric car sales by peers." Rubbish. I have an electric car, & they ain't great, that's why they don't sell. -ve cold, heavy, expensive to buy, range issues, +ve tax efficient company car, quick. https://t.co/RNmZ4h0Yl2

— Cllr Nicholas Mawer (@NicholasMawer) February 7, 2024

Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for poor sales of electric cars in a report by the House of Lords.

Atkinson, known for Mr Bean and the Blackadder series, found himself the centre of a real-life drama on Tuesday.

The Lords’ environment and climate change committee was told that the actor, 69, was partly at fault for “damaging” public perceptions of electric vehicles (EVs).

It had nothing to do with electric vehicles poor performance, high price tag, or breaking down during bitterly cold British winter months. Bad E.V. car sales are all Atkinson’s fault and there is no other possible explanation. Gas-powered vehicles are slated to be banned in Great Britain by 2035 and the government is encouraging people to buy them in anticipation of the deadline.

However, the Telegraph also reveals that only two members of the House of Lords’ environment and climate change committee own electric vehicles: Baroness Parminter who chairs the committee and Labour peer Lord Grantchester. The other committee members drive fossil fuel-powered vehicles. But gosh darned it! That Bill Atkinson fellow threw a monkey wrench into Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans and he has to pay. Off with his head?