The UK new car market grew by 9.5% in November to reach 156,525 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but there's a slowdown in EV interest among private buyers. In the market’s best November for four years, registrations almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, down just 96 units (-0.1%) on 2019. Registrations in Wales rose 13.7% to 5,467 … [Read more...]
Toyota tops Professional range with Proace Max
The Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles offers greater choice than ever before, complemented by a commitment to customer care that will support Toyota’s continued growth in the sector. The new line-up stands out from the crowd with robust new styling across an extensive range that boasts class-leading load-carrying capabilities. Taking centre stage is the all-new Proace Max … [Read more...]
Ford Turkey battery plant is a non-starter
Ford and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution have scrapped plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Turkey after their local partner Koc Holding withdrew from the project. Koc Holdings said it was pulling out of the deal due to concerns over the rate of EV adoption in Europe and timing of the project in view of the current economic slowdown in the region. The three companies … [Read more...]
Fleet discounts driving slight rise in new car registrations
October’s new car market grew by 14.3% to reach 153,529 registrations, 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels and marking the best performance for the month since 2018, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The 15th month of consecutive growth was driven almost entirely by large fleet registrations, which grew 28.8% to reach 87,479 units. Private demand was stable at 62,915 … [Read more...]
EV vans confusion needs clarification
Ongoing confusion over regulations surrounding 4.25 tonne electric vans mean that the Association of Fleet Professionals is urging fleets to “step up” lobbying of the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles and the Driver Vehicle Standards Authority. In 2019, a special concession was created by the Department of Transport (DFT) for electric vans. Normally, an individual with a standard B licence would … [Read more...]
Get paid for fitting a home charger
Octopus Electric Vehicles has announced a partnership with Co Charger to help unlock the potential of community charging to make EVs better value for everyone. Community charging addresses an awkward truth in the switch to EVs: those who can’t have home chargers are over five times less likely to go electric. By making it easy for those with private chargers to share them with neighbours who … [Read more...]
Lords looking into Government’s ev plans
An electric vehicles inquiry is being launched by Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee. Given the importance of decarbonising transport to reach net zero, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee is launching an inquiry into electric vehicles (EVs) today. The aim of the inquiry is to understand how the Government will achieve its target of decarbonising cars and vans … [Read more...]
Wales car sales soar by nearly a quarter in July
New car registrations in Wales shot up 23.8% despite the atrocious July weather, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the same rise as in Northern Ireland but slightly trailed the growth in England of 29.5% and was ahead of Scotland’s 21.6%. New car sales in Wales reached 4,955 registrations last month and the UK totalled 143,561. So far this year, Welsh dealers … [Read more...]
Fleet costs expected to rise, says expert
Van fleet operators expect major cost increases in every area of fleet operations, according to new findings from Arval Mobility Observatory. During the next 12 months, 79% believe there will be rises in service and maintenance, 71% in insurance premiums, 69% in vehicle lease rates, 67% in EV charging, 63% in tyres, and 61% in petrol and diesel prices. Shaun Sadlier, Head of Arval Mobility … [Read more...]
Value the van in Wales, says business group
Vans play a crucial role in moving the goods and services used by everyone across the UK, with traffic in Wales accounting for 49% of business vans operating alone – without them, the economy would not operate effectively. They are small enough to access our towns and cities, but have the range to undertake longer distance journeys, bringing vital items to those that need them, whether the load … [Read more...]
