Logistics businesses have this week urged the Welsh government to provide a clear future plan for logistics at a roundtable hosted by Logistics UK, attended by Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS. At the event, hosted at Owens Group’s facility in Cardiff Bay, members and industry leaders discussed the key priorities for the Wales National Freight and Logistics Plan due to … [Read more...]
UK Automotive faces serious risk from foreign evs
The transition to electric vehicles is posing a serious risk to the UK automotive sector as global competition intensifies, says the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. For the industry to survive, the Government needs to provide more incentives to consumers to buy electric cars as well as greater support to vehicle manufacturers. In its report “UK Automotive Sector: Surviving the Net Zero … [Read more...]
EV vans confusion needs clarification
Ongoing confusion over regulations surrounding 4.25 tonne electric vans mean that the Association of Fleet Professionals is urging fleets to “step up” lobbying of the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles and the Driver Vehicle Standards Authority. In 2019, a special concession was created by the Department of Transport (DFT) for electric vans. Normally, an individual with a standard B licence would … [Read more...]
Car making declines in UK, not good for EVs either
UK car production fell -9.7% in August, following six consecutive months of growth, as 45,052 models rolled off factory lines, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Typically the smallest volume month of the year with often variable summer shutdowns which can lead to large percentage variations, August’s output was in part affected by … [Read more...]
Lords seeking clarity out of confusion
In response to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s net zero statement on Wednesday, Baroness Parminter, Chair of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, has written to Mark Harper MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Transport. In the letter, Baroness Parminter, on behalf of the cross-party committee looking into the ev sector, has asked the following questions … [Read more...]
Lords cricitise PM on losing way with net zero roadmap
The Prime Minister has chosen to kick the can down the road, rather than pick it up and put it in the recycling bin, say Lords who are currently looking into the environment and climate change. Baroness Parminter (below), Chair of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, responded to yesterday’s Net Zero Speech by Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and expressed their concerns at … [Read more...]
Green motoring u-turn is sickening says industry
Applying the brakes to the 2030 electrification deadline by the Government is a poor and insincere reflection on the needs of business and the environment, according to the head of Britain’s fleet professionals. Paul Hollick, chair of the AFP, said, “This is a crucial subject where massive investments have been made and is not just something that should be politicked in the expectation of … [Read more...]
Makers dropping small cars pick up criticisms
Carmakers are prioritising the production, marketing and sale of larger vehicles like SUVs and e-SUVs over more affordable, smaller EVs. Smaller EVs could help those on lower incomes gain from the benefits of using EVs as well as more efficient use of critical raw materials essential in efforts to achieve net zero. The arrival of more affordable, smaller electric cars would hasten the uptake … [Read more...]
Businesses are paying too much for EVs
VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol a world leader in energy, finds a significant proportion of fleets currently undergoing electrification have ‘over-specced’ when it comes to their charging infrastructure needs. The problem is largely down to fleets embarking on electrification themselves for the first time. The transition will involve multiple providers and stakeholders, and … [Read more...]
£600 M investment for MINI evs in UK
The new generation of pure-electric MINI Cooper and Aceman models will be assembled in Plant Oxford in three years time after a £600 Million investment led by BMW. The UK Government is reportedly giving £75 Million towards the cost of reconfiguring the factory and erecting new logistics facilities, it was announced yesterday. The investment will also see the end of petrol and diesel models … [Read more...]