The lack of an effective national strategy for creating kerbside charging infrastructure is emerging as the biggest barrier to adoption of electric vehicles by businesses, says the Association of Fleet Operators. The current government approach to installation of kerbside charging means that 75% of the cost is met by a national fund and 25% paid by local authorities. However, explained AFP chair … [Read more...]
Industry
Routes to 1000 Mile Battery Vehicles are varied
It is easy to make 1000-mile battery-electric vehicles, and the effect on market uptake will be profound, reports IDTechEx For example, a typical city-dweller might charge only once every two months and holiday where chargers are rare. With solar bodywork having done some of the job, even feeble existing chargers will cause little delay. Indeed, solar bodywork is a get-you-home feature capable … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 April
Classic car collectors are paying up to £75,000 for a good Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Competition inspired cars are reaching six figure sums, reports Hagerty, with an Audi Quattro Sport likely to make £404,000. Plug-in hybrids could be forced off roads sooner than anticipated. EU legislation is moving towards tougher emissions standards which would make the PHEVs much more expensive compared to … [Read more...]
Government statements slowing car sales recovery
Continuing confusion over Net Zero targets is slowing the recovery of motor sales. Seán Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, “March marks a year since the first UK national lockdown, and the industry has evolved remarkably during this time. “New car sales are going ahead through click and collect, or click and deliver, services, and dealers continue to adopt new ways … [Read more...]
EV sales soar and so do drivers’ travel plans
Sales of new electric vehicles hit new records in March as Tesla tops with 31% market share and Kia, Nissan and Hyundai battle it out for second place, revealed New AutoMotive’s Electric Car Count tracker. The independent research organisation will publish the tracker each month and it looks at the top ten EV manufacturers and their market share as well as new EV sales. If there’s anything extra … [Read more...]
Governments must invest to reach zero target
Car makers have called on Governments to invest in electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen stations to ensure zero emission targets are met over coming decades. The EU automobile industry is open to higher CO2 reduction targets for cars in 2030, provided that they are directly linked to binding commitments from member states to roll out the required charging points and hydrogen … [Read more...]
Coronavirus exposed weak supply chain links in auto sector
Supply chain managers need to be much more proactive in setting up and improving business models according to research from Professor Jack van der Veen from Nyenrode Business University. In his recent white paper ‘Implementation of new Supply Chain Business Models: risk management in cross-border trade', he seeks to understand how new business models can be developed through taking a supply chain … [Read more...]
Tradelines 7 April
While the pandemic has taken a toll on many people’s finances, others are emerging with a nest egg after months of lockdown living and this could ensure the car industry, along with the wider economy, bounces back quicker than originally anticipated, said James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars. He was speaking after the SMMT released March car sales figures showing a dramatic rise compared to the last … [Read more...]
Electric car sales surge, but Wales sees big loss
Electric car sales are charging ahead on British roads. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show ev registrations hit a record and hybrid sales last month were higher than September 2020, the previous best for the dual fuel vehicles. It's also the first month that the Tesla Model 3 EV, pictured above, has been officially recognised in the figures after Tesla withdrew … [Read more...]
Hybrid rally cars agreed for WRC from next season
All three current WRC manufacturers have embraced the sport’s exciting new hybrid era by committing to register and participate in the FIA World Rally Championship from 2022 to 2024. Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota have pledged their futures to the production car-based series, which will undergo a landmark change in 2022 when top tier cars will be powered by a mix of an electric motor and the … [Read more...]