After one on-line retailer reported a 60% jump in ev-searches over the weekend, analysts believe the fuel shortage will be the big catalyst to boosting the uptake of the greenest cars. Sean Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, “The current fuel crisis may well be the catalyst for motorists to go green. "Vauxhall is bringing out eight new electric models, … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 September
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will tomorrow unveil its detailed plans for a pure electric model before the end of this decade. The company has already said what priorities it will use to launch the model when it is right for their customers and the recharging infrastructure exists to support the car, after showing a concept several months ago. Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Technology … [Read more...]
UK drivers shunning electric cars over costs
Over half of UK drivers say electric cars cost too much and charging points are too scarce. The Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap, a supplier of Guaranteed Asset Protection, asked drivers what they thought of electric cars. Cost is the biggest concern for most drivers, with 56% saying electric cars cost too much (58% men and 54% women), rising to 65% of 55 and … [Read more...]
Wales shows little love of EVs
Ownership of electric cars in Wales has risen over 72% in the last year but that’s way behind most of the UK regions. Wales has settled in ninth in a list of the top dozen areas in DVLA data compiled by LeaseLoco. In 2020 there were 2,696 electric vehicles registered at the Morriston centre and last year it went up to 4,641, a rise of 72.1%, just behind the East Midlands for growth but ahead … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 September
IHS Markit, whose production projections are cited by automakers, suppliers and research analysts the world over, just took its biggest chop yet to estimates that have been falling all year due to the global chip shortage. IHS Markit slashed its production forecast for this year by 6.2 percent -- or 5.02 million vehicles -- and lowered its projection for next year by 9.3 percent, or 8.45 … [Read more...]
Vodka shot in your car’s petrol tank
Filling up with ‘eco-friendly’ E10 petrol could be like giving your car a drink of vodka, causing potential damage and hitting motorists in the pocket, bosses at a greentech company said today. E10 is being rolled out as the new standard petrol grade in the UK, replacing the current E5 grade. And while Dr. Dan Clarke, Global Head of Science and Technology at greentech company SulNOx Group Plc, … [Read more...]
WRC enters the plug-in era in 2022
Top flight rallying will forever change at the end of this year, but it's not going fully electric yet. The WRC has fundamentally revised its technical regulations from next season. The top-tier Rally1 class for manufacturer teams will bring a substantial gain in crew safety, as well as more equality between competitors, due to a new design approach. An even bigger revolution concerns the … [Read more...]
£1.8M Ford legacy fund sparks new Welsh investment
A new £1.8m fund to encourage businesses to move beyond manufacturing internal combustion engines to producing low carbon vehicle technologies, helping to stimulate innovative economic growth in Wales, is being established by Ford and the Welsh Government. The Ford Low Carbon Vehicle Transition Fund, administered by the Welsh Government as part of Ford’s legacy in Wales after … [Read more...]
Bamford pushes on with £1 Billion hydrogen project
Green entrepreneur Jo Bamford has joined forces with multi-family office Vedra Partners to launch HYCAP, a hydrogen investment fund which has set its sights on raising £1bn. The capital, which already stands at more than £200m after the first round of investment, will be injected largely into UK businesses, with the focus on speeding-up green hydrogen production and supply, creating … [Read more...]
Welsh Tories oppose M4 and A470 tolls plan
Welsh Labour Government plans for road tolls on two of the busiest arterial roads have been attacked by opposition Conservatives. Welsh Conservatives have branded the Welsh Government’s hare-brained idea of putting tolls on the M4 and A470 as “utterly ridiculous” and urged them to go back to the drawing board. The Welsh Government is exploring the idea of charging motorists who drive older cars … [Read more...]