Independent research by Dodona Analytics reveals electric charger sharing is essential to support the UK's ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. According to their research, if only 4% of motorists with a home charger share it with their neighbours living in flats and terraced houses where they can't have their own charger, then a successful transition to EVs can be achieved … [Read more...]
How to keep the heart of your EV car in good health
The battery in your electric vehicle is by far its most valuable component part, but do you know how to keep it in good health? Manufacturers give surprisingly little information about how to keep an EV battery in good shape on a day-to-day basis, and drivers tend to be focussed on the battery range or charge. The Li-ion battery and electric motor combination in an EV do the work not just of the … [Read more...]
Rising concerns over EV initiatives and charging
There's rising concern among car makers that the British public and Government are not behind the drive to boost electric car sales. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders wants greater support for private retail uptake of electric vehicles. It follows new figures showing businesses are twice as likely as consumers to make the switch from petrol or diesel. This week the plug in grant … [Read more...]
Welsh business will drive future heavy EVs
A Welsh automotive components company has won support for a £31.9 million project to develop lightweight electric powertrains for heavy goods vehicles in the latest round of R&D funding guided by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The Electric Powertrain Integration for Heavy Commercial Vehicles project will see Cwmbran-based company – Meritor – develop zero-emission ‘smart’ powertrains for … [Read more...]
Mazda ease into electric and zero emissions
The Mazda MX30 pure battery car is easing into its range at the right time, according to UK MD Jeremy Thompson. “Although Mazda has been researching, developing and selling electric cars for over 50 years, they did not feel the time was right to launch the pure battery MX30 until now,” he said. Mr Thompson said that major markets around the world are shifting towards ending the internal … [Read more...]
Volkswagen transform EV business
Northvolt has won an order worth more than $14 billion over 10 years from Volkswagen, which increases its stake in the Swedish lithium-ion battery maker. Northvolt will sell its share in joint-venture Northvolt Zwei in Salzgitter to the world’s No. 2 carmaker, which becomes the German gigafactory’s single owner. Volkswagen entered into a partnership with the battery maker in 2019 and took 20% of … [Read more...]
Emissions data missing from PHEVs
Difficulties in obtaining and verifying the correct zero emissions range figure for newer plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles is causing P11D headaches for fleets, reports the Association of Fleet Operators. For PHEVs registered on or after 6 April 2020 emitting 50g/km or less of CO2, the ZER needs to be entered on the P11D but does not appear to be available anywhere other than on the Certificate … [Read more...]
Trade urged to help formulate new laws
The Vehicle Remarketing Association is urging used car businesses to make its thoughts on autonomous vehicles known as part of a new consultation by the English and Scottish Law Commissions. Jonathan Butler, VRA board member, and partner and head of automotive at legal specialists Geldards, explained that the Automated Vehicles consultation was in its third and final stage, being was set to … [Read more...]
Call for clearer ev range mileage figures
New in-depth research has highlighted that in order to encourage the mass take up of electric vehicles and avoid future misrepresentation of information to consumers, the motor industry must act now to improve the accuracy of on-board predictions of how far they can travel on a single charge. Multiple studies from the world’s leading range prediction specialist, Spark EV Technology, have revealed … [Read more...]
Weeds need removing from our green drive
There are a few weeds to be taken care of as the motor industry, energy providers, related suppliers and authorities take us down the green road towards 2030 and onwards, writes Robin Roberts. The haste and race to have low emission cars and other vehicles on our roads is tripping over some serious issues, notably cost, and not just for vehicles and infrastructure but the expense of losing … [Read more...]