Rising fuel prices are making more drivers think of soon moving to an electric car, says a survey for The Motor Ombudsman, writes Kim Henson of Wheels-Alive. An online poll by the Ombudsman dedicated to the automotive sector has shown that, with prices at the pumps continuing to increase and reach record highs, nearly half (48%) of UK car owners are concerned about having a pure petrol or … [Read more...]
Newcomers
Putting the finger on a driver’s mood
BMW is working on a paint technology to improve a driver’s mood at the touch of a button and has previewed it on the BMW iX Flow. The fluid colour changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electrical signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 June
Parents in the UK are spending over £2,400 every year, or £46.15 a week, driving their children to different activities such as parties and hobbies, according to Zuto Finance. The daily school run accounts for the highest percentage of expense and fifth are taking their children over 150 miles a month. South Wales based Veezu, the UK’s fastest growing taxi and private hire technology platform, … [Read more...]
EVs charging points putting power back
Vehicle-to-grid chargepoints can improve battery life in electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions and costs of charging, a government-funded project has found. Research from the EV-elocity project shows that, by careful charging and discharging, EV battery degradation can reduce by one-eighth, and, in some situations, up to 450 kg of emitted carbon dioxide (CO2) or £400 could be saved per … [Read more...]
Tradelines 15 June
Hispano Suiza will participate in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the most important automotive events in the world, which will take place between 23 and 26 June. The Spanish brand will be in with the Carmen, the 750kW electric hypercar which heralded Hispano Suiza´s return to the automotive world in 2019. Bentley is completing its new driver-focused S range with the Goodwood Festival … [Read more...]
Company cars come with security and convenience
Factors related to financial security and convenience top the list of reasons why fleets without alternative mobility policies in place believe that employees choose a company car rather than funding their own vehicle. The latest findings from Arval Mobility Observatory’s research indicate that 31% of those fleets, believe that employees not having to finance their own vehicle, followed by the … [Read more...]
Van drivers’ role delivering zero-emissions
As the world starts to transition away from internal combustion engines and towards electric vehicles, couriers, delivery fleets and individual traders are itching to make the move to electric vans. Yet while electric van uptake has doubled in the past year, the market is still around two years behind that of cars, causing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to call for a ‘Van Plan’ by … [Read more...]
Dismay at end of PHEV grant as fuel prices soar again
The government is today ending the plug-in car grant allowance for new orders after successfully kickstarting the UK’s electric car revolution and supporting the sale of nearly half a million electric cars. The announcement was greeted with dismay and concern by car makers, the motor dealers and charging network suppliers. It could also boost demand for used PHEVs and second hand petrol and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max DL20 DC 4×4
It’s that time of year when parents and grand-parents don’t always pack into their car the holiday gear but rather the more mundane “stuff” accrued by offspring in universities and need to head home. What the students actually learn during a year at university seems to slide into the background and doesn’t include what to throw away or store so a family car can struggle to accommodate a student … [Read more...]
Newslines 10June
Automobili Lamborghini adds a new record to its list with its Super SUV Urus, as the best-selling model in the shortest time ever. Since its market debut in 2018, 20,000 units have been produced, setting sales records year on year and the twenty-thousandth Urus, in Viola Mithras with black calipers and panoramic roof, is destined for a customer in Azerbaijan. The cost of filling a 55-litre … [Read more...]