Now here’s my prediction for 2024: the BYD Seal is going to make a splash in the sporting saloon sector. Up to now, Europe has been the leading provider and market for four-doors with something a little special in the family sector, but that is likely to change over the coming 12 months. China’s BYD (it stands for Build Your Dreams) launched its Atto 3 SUV and Dolphin hatchback in Britain in … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 December
Looking for the ultimate Christmas gift for a car enthusiast and Auto Vivendi is selling places in its 200mph Challenge next year. Recipients get to drive a supercar in a high speed sprint for £2,950+VAT. The Lexus RX large luxury SUV has collected another honour, being named the Best Large SUV in The Car Expert Awards 2024. Its success comes hard on the heels of having won the best premium … [Read more...]
Gaps in EV sector need plugging for businesses
Fleets are starting to enter a “tougher” period of electrification in 2024, the Association of Fleet Professionals is reporting. Paul Hollick, chair, said that a number of factors were combining to potentially slow the rate at which electric vehicles were being adopted by businesses and that fleet managers needed new strategies to maintain momentum. “When it comes to electrification, so far … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
Podpoint has pulled the plug on putting in more rapid chargers at public locations. The subsidiary of French state-owned EDF power will instead concentrate on fitting more home and workplace chargers where income will be recooped sooner and for less outlay. Meanwhile, Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, confirmed that the country has passed the significant milestone of 10,000 … [Read more...]
BEV charge is running down
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...]
Classics go futuristic
Goodwood's 2024 Revival will serve as a landmark moment in motorsport history, as the entire weekend of historic racing is set to take place exclusively using sustainable fuel. Already an event that champions second-hand sustainability, today’s announcement sees the Revival further extend its Revive & Thrive ethos with sustainable fuel ensuring the future of classic combustion engine … [Read more...]
Rules for recharging
With winter gripping us, new EV users may be surprised to see their range running down and need to boost more frequently, but there are some polite rules of the recharge road to follow in the season of goodwill. Millions of Brits will benefit from easier public EV charging following the passing of new laws earlier this month. With the laws expected to provide clearer pricing, easier payments … [Read more...]
Long road ahead for eHGVs
According to new research from Element Energy, Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGVs) are poised to become more economical than their diesel counterparts in the coming years. Coupled with recent data from e-mobility service provider ZapMap, which shows that there are now more than 920,000 fully electric cars on UK roads and a further 560,000 plug-in hybrids, it’s safe to say that the UK’s … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 November
Plans to rename SsangYong as KG Mobility have been dented by international law. KG Group, a local steel and chemicals company, completed the acquisition of the bankrupt SUV maker just over a year ago and renamed the company KG Mobility Corporation earlier this year but when it applied to register the English language name of KG Mobility as a trademark in April found the name had already been … [Read more...]
Winter warning, even before you set off
Motorists are being urged to take note of five key winter driving rules - or they face hefty fines before they’ve even set off. Parts of Britain is braced for wintry showers this week as the cold weather spell continues and intensifies for some with snow warnings for higher ground in Wales. Icy mornings and treacherous dark nights pose a major threat to UK motorists, and the Highway Code has a … [Read more...]