The Government has just announced a £20M boost for more EV charging, but incentives and technology to create kerbside charging should be laid out in next month's Budget, said the Association of Fleet Operators. Chair Paul Hollick said that around 40% of potential electric vehicle users lived in properties without drives and providing them with some form of domestic charging was essential if the … [Read more...]
Concern mounts over drivers’ mental health
Fleets need to be aware of the growing impact of the pandemic on mental health and any subsequent safety risks to drivers, FleetCheck is warning. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, pointed to a new poll that showed 40% of people believed their mental health had become worse during the crisis. He said: “This is just the latest in a series of polls and … [Read more...]
Warranties surge as sales stagger
Warrantywise is one of Britain's largest car warranty companies and had a record year in sales growth. They are celebrating an outstanding 55% growth in sales year on year. Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, attributes this to a number of reasons, "We've had a fantastic year for sales, and worked really hard on setting goals to achieve this. “We hired a new Chief … [Read more...]
Lorry driver fines unfair, say operators
Government plans to fine lorry drivers who do not have negative COVID-19 tests before travelling to Kent have been criticised by the haulage industry. Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at Logistics UK said the Government had to make more testing centres available to meet UK demand from drivers and treat them as a priority. “Logistics UK remains extremely concerned that today’s decision to … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
Our buying habits are changing with hybrids now up over 304% in ten years through insurance searches says comparethemarket, followed by city cars and then electric models, which are just ahead of seven-seaters and SUVs. Steepest decline in buyers have been sports cars, mpvs, coupes, convertibles and pure 4WD models. Burgeoning demand for the fully electric e-tron SUV has been instrumental in … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 January
DVLA Swansea office staff are too scared to work in the Government buildings, the PCS Union has said. Now Welsh Government has told officials in the Morriston and Llansamlet centres that staff must work from home unless essential for office duties after 500 people were found to have contracted Covid-19 and motorists are facing delays to documents’ processing. Ford is facing a $610 Million bill … [Read more...]
Suppliers optimism and caution for 2021
Parts suppliers have started 2021 with mixed feelings of optimism and caution. Optimism, because demand for vehicles and components is picking up more rapidly than expected and the appetite for new, innovative technologies is accelerating. Caution, because the scars from 2020 are deep and the level of uncertainty remains high. Thorsten Muschal (above), member of the management of … [Read more...]
Insurance shock looming for latest car owners
Thousands of drivers could see their car insurance rocket if new uncapped data is used by insurers. Since 2009, Thatcham's Group Insurance Rating has placed vehicles into a 1-50 system by using a capped algorithm to help insurers determine the cost of cover. While there are no plans to replace the current process, raw data shared as a result of taking the cap off has seen around 500 cars surge … [Read more...]
£100,000 Ford Escorts reborn in Wales
The Welsh car industry has been boosted with the creation of a new manufacturer, MST Cars of North Wales. The motor-sport orientated bespoke builders of Ford Escort Mk1 and Mk2 road, race and rally cars in various specifications from £69,000 to over £100,000 has evolved from its competition parts' business. That was itself a development of its hardware, engineering and automotive … [Read more...]
E-vans benefits not explained say fleets
The new zero per cent benefit-in-kind rate for electric vans that takes effect on 6 April has been “underpublicised” when it should be helping lead to faster, wider adoption, says the Association of Fleet Operators. Chair Paul Hollick said that a key element of success in boosting demand for electric cars over the last year has been the low level of taxation, and that something similar needs to … [Read more...]