IAM RoadSmart gets charged up for a new era of electric driving

IAM RoadSmart is preparing for an electric future by developing a programme of electric vehicle ‘training for trainers’ days.

Following a successful pilot day held recently at Village Hotel in Walsall, IAM RoadSmart plans to offer all group officials and observers detailed sessions to help them understand the differences between electric vehicles and petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.

The pilot event was an opportunity to learn in detail about the e-Niro 64kwh First Edition, loaned by Kia Motors (UK) Ltd, and explore how their coaching to IAM RoadSmart associates taking the advanced driving course and test, needs to evolve to adapt to the future for motoring.

Around 6,000 people every year sign up for IAM RoadSmart’s DVSA-accredited Advanced Driver course, which is delivered by fully trained volunteers in over 180 groups across the UK.

Amanda Smith, IAM RoadSmart head of field service delivery, said: “As motorists start to buy electric vehicles in ever-growing numbers, it is increasingly more important for those delivering our advanced driving courses to understand the different ways electric vehicles operate.

“Our pilot event was an eye-opener for many about how things are changing.  We are grateful to Kia UK for lending us an e-Niro, which enabled this informative pilot event to take place.

“We will now start planning to roll out a programme of similar events to ensure all our group officials, assessors and observers have a similar level of knowledge. Having this understanding is vital to ensure our advanced driver course stays up to date with the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles.”

Feedback from the observers attending included:

“It was interesting to see how you adjust your driving style to make more use of the regeneration under slowing down.”

“I found the experience more than worthwhile and the tuition excellent. I now feel more confident in driving and observing in the world of the EV.”

“I have come away with more confidence…[to take]… out an associate in an electric car.”

IAM RoadSmart will hold further similar events for its group officials later in the year.

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IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com   

To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups   

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