KIA has turned the corner into a new market segment with its EV9 pure electric model. The EV9 seven-seater launches in three trim levels and an additional range-topping six-seat option from £65,025 to £78,775 in rear wheel drive or all-wheel-drive configurations depending on trim with 200bhp single or 378bhp twin motors. That puts it squarely into Mercedes and BMW electric model territory … [Read more...]
Reselling rates for EVs close to petrol and diesel models
Disposal conversion rates for electric vehicles were very close to their petrol and diesel equivalents over the course of 2023 and beat plug-in hybrids, reports epyx. In total, 91% of EVs found buyers when made available through trade sales to dealers, compared to 94% for petrol and diesel, and 87% for PHEVs. However, EVs did sell more slowly - at an average of 12.5 days compared to around 7-8 … [Read more...]
Makers are building the ‘wrong’ cars for ev buyers, says executive
Cheaper electric cars are urgently needed for motorists to accelerate their switch away from petrol and diesel models, says an industry financial expert. Fleets need to be able to buy electric vehicles now that used car buyers will want in four years’ time – but are being hampered by a lack of choice, FleetCheck is warning. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software company, said … [Read more...]
EV van makers ‘misrepresent’ real range, says trade body
Van drivers are being misled over the true range of their new electric models, says a trade body. A better labelling system for the range of electric vans is becoming “critical to adoption”, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. The organisation first highlighted the inadequacies of the existing WLTP figures last year and, says chair Paul Hollick, this winter has only made the problem … [Read more...]
New Aston Martin Vantage V8 supercar
The wraps are off Britain's newest supercar, the 202mph Aston Martin Vantage V8. It's quicker, faster and more economical than the former Vantage V12 and delivers 665ps from its 4.0V8 twin-turbo Mercedes supplied engine. There have been extensive engine upgrades from the standard MB V8 as used in its models, but still no hybrid powertrain, for now. The 0-60mph time is said to be 3.4 seconds … [Read more...]
Toyota extend their EVs with two MPVs
Toyota is extending its UK electrified vehicle range with the introduction of two new people carriers which are already on sale in Europe, the nine-seat Proace Verso EV and the compact Proace City Verso EV. Offered in nine-seat Shuttle form, Proace Verso can specified in medium (4,959mm) or long (5,309mm) body lengths (below). The Shuttle specification caters for customers who need a vehicle … [Read more...]
Tradelines 7 February
A strong 2.9% organic fleet growth during 2023 has been announced today by Arval UK, in a challenging market constrained by new car supply and inflation. The figure brings the total UK fleet size to 192,068 at the end of December 2023 and much of the rise has been powered by the ongoing transition towards battery electric vehicles as Arval’s UK fleet now includes 44,021 BEVs which account for a … [Read more...]
EV sales are trickling ahead of last year
Five of the largest EV manufacturers in UK market increased their sales last month compared to 12 months ago, according to the latest data from New AutoMotive’s Electric Car Count. The monthly report is the most up-to-date and comprehensive electric vehicle sales data in the UK, and reveals that 15 out of 20 manufacturers are selling more EVs than they did a year ago. Despite Toyota’s CEO … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Touareg Black Edition
For some, the Volkswagen Touareg is very old school, but for many newcomers it can still teach them lessons. If you have to regularly cover long distances at all hours, with or without people or luggage, or have to tow a horsebox or trailer, the Touareg will perform such tasks without trouble. Appropriately named after a nomadic Sahara group, the VW Touareg has been in production since 2002 and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 January
Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting says new Office for National Statistics figures showing an 8% annual increase in vehicle thefts are shockingly unsurprising. According to the ONS’s latest Crime Survey for England and Wales instances of “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle” increased from 122,423 in the year October 2021 to September 2022, to … [Read more...]