In a worrying result as children return to school this week, researchers polled 2,000 mums and dads and found 37 per cent have driven with someone else’s kid as a passenger despite not having a suitable child restraint for them. Fifty-seven per cent admit they don’t tend to lug a child car seat around on the off-chance they might need one for their little ones or for another parent's children … [Read more...]
EV News
Newslines 28 August
Nearly 60 years after it was launched, the Jaguar E-Type will be reborn as an electric car. Jaguar has given the go-ahead for a specialist restorer to produce the model for the summer of 2020, 59 years after the stunning sleek sports car went on sale before it was discontinued in 1975. The Audi PB18 e-tron is a concept all electric wirelessly charged sports car shown in California. It … [Read more...]
Smart meters for “thinking” electric car owners
Energy Minister Claire Perry has hailed OVO Energy for its “innovative” electric vehicle products - enabled by smart meters - which could see millions save and even make money from their electric cars. OVO Energy is one of just a few companies already using smart meters to offer innovative products, such as rewarding customers for charging their electric vehicles at off-peak times. These … [Read more...]
A new age of the car is beginning the transformation
Electric vehicles will transform the automotive industry over the next five years, says GlobalData. The electric vehicle is one of four themes, along with the connected car, autonomous driving technology and transport-as-a-service, that is disrupting the legacy automotive industry, said the data and analytics company. The company’s latest report ‘Electric vehicles - Thematic Research’ states … [Read more...]
Engineering shortage – in Germany
There is a shortage of engineers, in Germany. Volkswagen said a number of its engineers had left in the wake of the ‘dieselgate’ scandal over the last three years and now the new tougher WTP emissions tests meant the company is struggling to develop engines. Last month it announced it had acquired former BMW engine expert Markus Duesmann to head up its team, but it cannot find enough … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 August
MPs will probe the state of local roads in England. The Transport Committee will look at funding and maintenance but it does not include local roads in Wales, paid for by local councils, and the RAC said the main issue was potholes and frequency of incidents. BMW will invest 1 billion euros for a new plant in Hungary. It plans 150,000 cars, which it’s not specified, each year, and supply … [Read more...]
Drivers cool on electric vehicles, for now
As the UK government unveils its Road to Zero plan to reduce emissions and improve the countries Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, a new survey from Venson Automotive Solutions reveals that motorists are some way behind in their willingness to adapt. Only 15% of those surveyed said they will definitely be making the switch to an EV or hybrid vehicle when they next purchase a car or … [Read more...]
New generation electric cars spark warning
Electric cars are posing a particular fire danger to users and technicians. Last year, TV presenter Richard Hammond escaped with slight injuries after a prototype electric sports car he was driving crashed and was totally destroyed in minutes and earlier this year another electric car crashed in America, was recovered and then burst into flames some time later while in storage. Now, the … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 July
SsangYong is backing its faith in the new Musso pick-up by introducing a sector-leading 7-year/150,000 mile warranty. The new 7-year warranty also applies to new Rexton from 1 July and can be applied retrospectively to all new Rextons sold since launch and also all other models purchased since 1 January 2018 at a cost of £500. The RAC estimates about 34M pleasure journeys will take place … [Read more...]
Big drive underway with evs and hybrid cars
A new electric or hybrid car is being registered in Britain every nine minutes. Figures released today by Go Ultra Low reveal that the overall number of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered has risen every month so far this year. The first half of 2018 saw 28,054 registered to drivers, a 25% increase on the same period in 2017 – which was the most successful … [Read more...]