Poor availability of new vans is hampering some fleets in their efforts to become compliant with new Clean Air Zones, reports FleetCheck. With the Bath CAZ already in place and Birmingham and Bristol to follow, as well as the upgraded London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) now in effect, the fleet software specialist says that some businesses are only now starting to realise that they need to ensure … [Read more...]
Retail
EV expansion trips over kerbs
The lack of an effective national strategy for creating kerbside charging infrastructure is emerging as the biggest barrier to adoption of electric vehicles by businesses, says the Association of Fleet Operators. The current government approach to installation of kerbside charging means that 75% of the cost is met by a national fund and 25% paid by local authorities. However, explained AFP chair … [Read more...]
British Motor Show tickets take off for Farnborough
Ticket sales for The British Motor Show have rocketed as Britain reopens for business after lockdowns. The Show has seen a massive increase in demand as consumer confidence returns and families start planning their summer activities – with The British Motor Show offering an incredible value fun-packed day out for all. VIP packages have boomed with 70% of the allocation for Saturday, August 21 … [Read more...]
Routes to 1000 Mile Battery Vehicles are varied
It is easy to make 1000-mile battery-electric vehicles, and the effect on market uptake will be profound, reports IDTechEx For example, a typical city-dweller might charge only once every two months and holiday where chargers are rare. With solar bodywork having done some of the job, even feeble existing chargers will cause little delay. Indeed, solar bodywork is a get-you-home feature capable … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 April
Classic car collectors are paying up to £75,000 for a good Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Competition inspired cars are reaching six figure sums, reports Hagerty, with an Audi Quattro Sport likely to make £404,000. Plug-in hybrids could be forced off roads sooner than anticipated. EU legislation is moving towards tougher emissions standards which would make the PHEVs much more expensive compared to … [Read more...]
Government statements slowing car sales recovery
Continuing confusion over Net Zero targets is slowing the recovery of motor sales. Seán Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, “March marks a year since the first UK national lockdown, and the industry has evolved remarkably during this time. “New car sales are going ahead through click and collect, or click and deliver, services, and dealers continue to adopt new ways … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 5008 Allure 1.2L PureTech 130
The UK car industry came to the end of its Covid induced click and collect period last week with healthy March new registration plate month sales, writes David Miles. Registrations were up by 11.5% over March last year when Covid first closed showrooms. However the March 2021 total of new cars sold 283,964 units is 37% below the 10-year March average. Peugeot is one of the brands doing well with … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Puma ST
Ford’s future lies in models such as the Puma ST. Drivers of a certain age will fondly remember Ford’s sporting derivatives of fairly ordinary, nothing-to-shout-about family cars. The world has moved on in the last five decades and families have also changed and want something more than a saloon or hatchback. So it was only a matter of time before the marketing and engineering people at … [Read more...]
EV sales soar and so do drivers’ travel plans
Sales of new electric vehicles hit new records in March as Tesla tops with 31% market share and Kia, Nissan and Hyundai battle it out for second place, revealed New AutoMotive’s Electric Car Count tracker. The independent research organisation will publish the tracker each month and it looks at the top ten EV manufacturers and their market share as well as new EV sales. If there’s anything extra … [Read more...]
Tradelines 7 April
While the pandemic has taken a toll on many people’s finances, others are emerging with a nest egg after months of lockdown living and this could ensure the car industry, along with the wider economy, bounces back quicker than originally anticipated, said James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars. He was speaking after the SMMT released March car sales figures showing a dramatic rise compared to the last … [Read more...]