Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have doubled annually in Europe since they were first marketed in 2010, reveals the electrification section of Transport and Environment Organisation’s cars and CO2 report. In 2013, provisional sales data from the European Environment Agency show that nearly 50,000 plug-in vehicles were sold, representing around 0.4% of all car sales in the EU. The top three … [Read more...]
EV News
Renault Zoe continues its charge even when stationary
Renault was the first manufacturer to offer a free domestic charging point with a new fully-electric car, and it looks like it could be the last. The French brand, currently celebrating a 60% year-on-year increase in sales, has moved quickly to reassure all new ZOE supermini owners that its free wall-box promotion, worth over £200, still stands, despite changing offers in the rest of the … [Read more...]
Big boost for electric car industry
The future of the UK as a leader in the development and take-up of low emission vehicles has been given a boost with government's announcement of how the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) will spend its £500m funding allocation over the next five years. Representing the UK motor industry, SMMT called on government to instigate a balanced approach to the 2015-2020 funding package, … [Read more...]
EU to order new infrastructure for alternative fuels?
The EU is expected to order member states to boost infrastructure investment for alternative fuels. To boost the take-up of alternative fuels in transport, EU countries will have to ensure that enough refuelling and recharging stations are available to enable cars, trucks and ships using alternative fuels, such as natural gas and electricity, to move freely on EU roads and waterways, under an … [Read more...]
Volkswagen e-Golf now on sale for summer delivery
Customers can now place orders for the fully electric Volkswagen e-Golf, which is priced at £25,845 on the road including £5,000 Government grant, or £30,845 without. The e-Golf can be ordered from one of 24 Volkswagen EV specialist Retailers across the UK, with the first deliveries expected at the end of June. Based on the multi-award-winning Golf hatchback, the e-Golf offers the same … [Read more...]
Welsh conference to discuss low carbon vehicles
Wales’s first low carbon vehicle conference will be held this month. The Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay is the venue for the ground-breaking conference on 18 March which will include speeches by industry leaders and experts in low carbon technology. There will be an opening address by Wales Minister for Economy Science and Transport, Edwina Hart and the event arranged by the Energy Saving … [Read more...]
Hybrid sales soar 40pc and Wales benefits
European sales of hybrid vehicles increased more than 40 percent last year to 214,237 units as more people decided to reduce their fuel consumption with the help of the electrically assisted cars. Analysts, however, say the market niche continues to struggle against diesel-powered cars that are often even more frugal than hybrids. Sales of the British-built and Welsh-powered Auris Hybrid … [Read more...]
EV and hybrid used market is picking up
AA Cars is reporting growing numbers of electric and hybrid cars being offered by dealers. This means that for green-conscious drivers who found the new price of EVs and hybrids to be out of reach, there are some good deals to be done. At present, nearly 1,260 hybrid and just over 100 electric cars are being offered dating back a decade but the majority are under two years old. Toyota … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW E Up
Volkswagen is on a charge with its newest city car, the e-up! Launched in Germany last autumn, the pure electric version of the up! city car is now reaching the first 24 UK dealers out of the 208-strong VW network and the battery of dealers will slowly grow, each with a specially trained technician, servicing facilities and customer dedicated e-parking and charging points, including Sinclair … [Read more...]