A new plan to energise the automotive industry and help it meet future challenges is being developed by the Welsh Government. Economy Minister Ken Skates will outline the new plan at an Automotive Summit at Hensol Castle later today and hours before the Welsh sector's annual networking dinner, where the keynote speaker will be Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer on the eve of opening the car maker's … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 November
Vale of Glamorgan Council is working with providers to install several charging locations for 50 e-bikes in Penarth. It will not only provide transport in the town but also intended to link with a similar scheme in Cardiff which has been successfully running for two years. A second trade union has voted for taking strike action over conditions and pay for gritting staff. On Monday members of … [Read more...]
Roads conditions worsening, RAC survey is told
The equivalent of nearly 20m UK drivers think the condition and maintenance of the roads they use every day has got even worse over the past 12 months, new RAC research has found. Half of drivers (49%) surveyed for the 2019 RAC Report on Motoring say the condition of local roads – that is all roads that are not motorways or major A-roads – has deteriorated since last year, primarily as a result … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 November
According to a new study, it could be at least 10 years before autonomous vehicles and the sharing of them will become part and parcel of society. This, combined with a perceived lack of prestige in not owning a vehicle, suggests that the majority of today’s motorists aren’t yet ready for mobility concepts of the future and the study Being Driven: A study on human adoption of autonomous … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 October
Orders have opened for the SEAT Mii electric car with its 161m miles range from £19,300 inc grant. The first 300 orders will come with a free wall box charger and cable, 3 years service and breakdown cover. The European car market posted significant growth in September, as 1.28 million cars were registered with Golf ahead of Corsa and Clio. This increase was to be expected given the large drop … [Read more...]
Opinion: Size matters in congestion & emissions battle
The motor industry is facing doom and gloom or opportunity and expansion, depending on your viewpoint, writes Robin Roberts. Whatever happens with Brexit at the end of this month and its implications for Britain, a bigger sea change for the industry has been underway for some time. Environmental issues have driven the move towards electrification of vehicles and for the bigger stuff it’s … [Read more...]
Admin is not up to rubber stamping a no-deal Brexit, say FTA
Britain’s Brexit plans dont have the administration staff to back them up says the Freight Transport Association. In response to the report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO) on border preparedness for a No Deal Brexit, Pauline Bastidon, FTA’s Head of European and Global Policy, said, “The NAO report highlights the scale of the challenge for industry. "It echoes’ FTA’s messages to … [Read more...]
Green plates plan for EVs
If green number plates are introduced to mark out electric cars, research from a Welsh insurer shows it will accelerate the take up of low emission models. A large proportion of British motorists – over 8 million - are expected to make the switch to an electric or hybrid car in the next five years. This week, the DfT published its suggestions for the new style plates (see above). Consultation … [Read more...]
Red Cross drive to assist with wheelchairs
The British Red Cross in Newport has started a drive to find volunteers with good people skills who can spare a few hours a week to help people when they need a wheelchair. Last year the Red Cross helped 2,375 people in Wales to get moving again when dealing with restricted mobility due to an illness or when recovering from surgery or an injury. Mobility aids service manager Marina Gillgrass … [Read more...]
Invisible ev charging is under development
A hidden continuous charging system for electric vehicles is being trialled. You won't have to stop and recharge at intervals but simply drive and the vehicle would be wirelessly or inductively boosted. ElectReon is an Israeli’s company that has developed a unique Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) technology. The solution is promising low cost, easy to deploy, 85% efficient, … [Read more...]