Grants or loans to support the used electric vehicle market is the number one action dealers would like to see from the new Labour government to encourage private buyers to make the transition from petrol and diesel models. August’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 56% of traders would back the move - followed by 50% who want cheaper electricity for EV … [Read more...]
Car sales boom on eve of Budget
February’s figures reinforce the robust performance of the UK automotive sector, maintaining a strong start to 2024 and signalling a nineteenth month of consecutive growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, commenting on the latest SMMT new passenger car registration figures. In February, a total of 84,886 … [Read more...]
Car makers Budget plan to overcome stalling EV sales
The automotive industry is calling for the Chancellor to use this week's Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane. Research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a … [Read more...]
Increase taxes on bigger private cars, says T&E
The UK could be using its tax system to discourage the growth of large new SUV sales, which recent T&E analysis found had grown by 23% between 2022 and 2023. With the Budget due next week, the environmental group said that the UK has shown some leadership with its tax system, however as company car drivers in the UK are benefiting from a progressive … [Read more...]
Fuel prices again rising even before Budget, says RAC
The price of petrol has gone up more than 3p a litre in the last three weeks while diesel has increased by 4p, the RAC has revealed. Worryingly for drivers, unleaded has risen by 3.2p from 140p on 29 January to 143.4p on 18 February and diesel has shot up from 148p to 152p in the same period, adding around £2 to filling up a family car. RAC Fuel Watch data … [Read more...]
Call for incentives for retail buyers to switch to EVs
There are currently no financial incentives for private car buyers to switch to an EV, says specialist leasing company DriveElectric. So, unless the government changes its policy on consumer purchase incentives or reduces taxes in the run-up to a general election, or there’s a new government with a more pro-EV policy, sales of new EVs are likely to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to … [Read more...]
Tradelines 22 March
Independent used car dealers are being put off stocking EVs as a result of plummeting prices, Car Dealer has been told. Speaking at last week’s Car Dealer Live conference in Gaydon, a panel of used car dealers said they had been forced to rethink their strategies as a result of the recent slide after a drastic cut in new Tesla prices sparked a downward … [Read more...]
After the hard winter, more chilling news to come
A massive hike in fuel duties is on the cards next spring after a particularly tough winter of rising costs, said the RAC. RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said, “As things stand, drivers will face an enormous hike in the cost of fuel next Spring due to fuel duty going up. “The Office of Budget Responsibility expects to see 12p added to a litre of … [Read more...]
How to stretch fuel further
Experts from Scrap Car Comparison have ideas on how you can make your fuel last longer in order to help cut costs among a raft of rises. Dan Gick, Managing Director from Scrap Car Comparison said, "It's shocking to see the struggles people are enduring to ensure their cars can stay on the road as prices at the petrol pumps soar, but there are a few … [Read more...]
