Research is required prior to the mass adoption of electric vehicles to investigate the impacts that they could have. This research covers many areas, from the recharging technologies to the real world performance and range of the cars, user behaviour and environmental benefits.

All Switch EV vehicles will be fitted with data collection and transmission technology to capture real time GPS and vehicle data. This will be analysed to assess vehicle and recharging performance in many scenarios across the region, to better understand the impact of electric vehicles as part of the UK car fleet.

The Switch EV project will also examine if electric vehicles are fit for purpose now, and will question their ability to act as a direct replacement to internal combustion engine vehicles in the future.