There are a few weeds to be taken care of as the motor industry, energy providers, related suppliers and authorities take us down the green road towards 2030 and onwards, writes Robin Roberts. The haste and race to have low emission cars and other vehicles on our roads is tripping over some serious issues, notably cost, and not just for vehicles and infrastructure but the expense of losing … [Read more...]
EV News
Newcomers from Audi and Hyundai
PHEV versions of the Audi Q5 are now available from £53,435, as well as more sporting derivatives. A bigger battery raises electric range to 37 miles and the same system has been included on A6 and A7 models while the A6 Avant 50 TFSI now runs to 41 miles on battery. Twenty-one years since its launch introduction the newest Hyundai Santa Fe brings more room and refinement to buyers. It also … [Read more...]
Budget does little for car sales
The Budget is first aid for the motor industry but will not fix underlying long term ailments, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. “Today’s budget provides some encouragement to an automotive sector hit hard by the pandemic and additional trading costs but it falls short of the support needed to transform the industry and market to the net zero future to which both the … [Read more...]
Van drivers to get electric charging boost at home
Van drivers who have to take their vehicles home will get financial help fitting rapid charging points for the new generation of vehicles. Logistics UK has welcomed news the Department for Transport’s announcement of a £50 million boost for electric vehicle chargepoints for those in leasehold and rented accommodation, as well as the expansion of the Workplace Charging Scheme. Denise Beedell, … [Read more...]
Fleets changing with the tide of life
Future car fleet management could soon develop into three relatively equal pillars – conventional fleet, grey fleet and salary sacrifice schemes – FleetCheck is forecasting. The fleet software specialist says that its conversations with customers about the impact of EVs and the pandemic so far in 2021 are indicating a shift in emphasis of this kind. Peter Golding, managing director, said, … [Read more...]
Busting the myth of ev business motoring
A new electric vehicle “mythbusters” document designed to tackle common company car driver misconceptions has been released by the Association of Fleet Professionals. Paul Hollick, chair, said, “EVs are being introduced apace in many organisations and fleet managers are finding that potential drivers have a lot of questions about them, some of which they can easily answer and some of which … [Read more...]
Beware of EV premiums’ quotes
‘Green’ cars outsold diesels for the first time in 2020 with 285,199 models registered compared to 261,772 diesel engine cars.Although new car sales in 2020 were around 29% lower than in 2019, electric vehicles have grown in popularity with a degree of electric propulsion (BEV, PHEV and HEV).Market share for all-electric BEV cars grew from 1.6% in 2019 to 6.6% in 2020, an … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 March
Land Rover has launched the powerful Defender V8 as part of a range of enhancements to its unstoppable and award-winning 4x4 family. The new 525HP Defender V8 and flagship Defender V8 Carpathian Edition use engines made at the Ford Bridgend Plant before it shut down last autumn to provide a unique combination of performance and capability, with bespoke chassis settings delivering new levels of … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 March
Welsh Government is allocating a further £18.6M to underwrite public transport over the next six months. Details will be given in the Welsh Budget tomorrow. The cost of running a car for young drivers has fallen by £296 year-on-year, primarily driven by decreases in fuel and insurance costs, according to comparethemarket.com’s study. On average, a 17 to 24-year-old driver will now pay £2,074 to … [Read more...]
Government failing on cutting carbon from cars
The Government must get its act together over reducing carbon emissions from cars or fail to achieve stated targets, according to the independent National Audit Office this morning. There is not enough detail in the Government plans to allow local authorities and businesses to plan for developing a strong charging network which will enable motorists to make the switch, particularly when they … [Read more...]