The perceived high charging costs of electric vehicles is a key barrier preventing consumers switching from combustion to battery-powered electric vehicles. Survey findings from price comparison and switching site energyhelpline.com found almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers believe electric-only cars cost up to £50 to fully charge at home despite a new analysis showing that popular BEVs cost … [Read more...]
Retail
Government immediately slashes grant for BEVs
The Government is immediately slashing the grant for battery electric vehicles, lowering the price ceiling while altering the qualification for electric vans and further reductions will come. It's unheralded announcement about the changes effective today have been criticised by car makers, dealers, motoring organisations and fleet companies who say it sends the wrong message to motorists who want … [Read more...]
Advertising brakes but car sales accelerate
Sales enquiries for both new and used cars have seen an increase during the last week as retail buyers appear to have gained a little more confidence and seem more willing to start to spend the money they have inadvertently saved during the current third lockdown period. However, new car sales for the month are still looking to be at around 60% of normal levels with a considerable constraint on … [Read more...]
Dealers happy with manufacturers relationships
It is positive that despite the significant disruption faced over the past twelve months, dealers are on average fairly satisfied with the relationship with their respective manufacturers, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. Average levels of dealer satisfaction with the support received through the pandemic by respective manufacturers remained … [Read more...]
Tradelines 17 March
RAC insurance is launching a pay-per-mile policy in response to the dramatically lower distances being covered at the moment. The scheme is aimed at those who cover under 6,000 miles annually and if they find circumstances change they can leave the on-line and mobile phone policy scheme. Stellantis announced a partnership with Kiri Technologies to reward drivers of the New 500. The basic … [Read more...]
Costs must be centre of new emissions targets
Car parts makers have called on the European Commission for a comprehensive approach across all countries and sectors to reduce CO2 emissions in a cost efficient and affordable manner over the next 30 years. What is the way forward? CLEPA said the Green Deal should be seen as the opportunity to start aligning climate policies across sectors into a coherent framework which ensures climate … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 March
The new generation of BMW iDrive takes the interaction between driver and vehicle into a digital future where many areas of life are getting increasingly smart. The new interpretation of BMW’s operating system equips the vehicle to actively engage with those on board with the aim of precisely tailoring all the functions controlled via BMW iDrive to the driver’s needs and preferences as the … [Read more...]
Depreciation despair for drivers
With new 21-numberplate cars now on sale, GoCompare Car Insurance is urging drivers looking for a new car to think about depreciation and the possible impact on their insurance. Depreciation is one of the biggest costs of running a car. The price of a new car falls dramatically as soon as it is driven off the forecourt. Depending on the make and model, this can be between 15% to 35% in the … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 March
Nissan plans for a major expansion to renewable energy generation at its record-breaking plant in Sunderland. Complementing the plant’s existing wind turbines and solar farm, the proposed 20MW solar farm extension represents a further step in Nissan’s path to carbon neutrality and the 37,000-panel extension would result in 20% of the plant’s energy coming from all onsite renewables, enough to … [Read more...]
Beauties to behold even after 2,500 years
A mathematical ratio dating back 2,500 years has been used to analyse the aesthetics of performance cars over the last 70 years. The study conducted by carwow analysed the proportions of 197 of the world’s most powerful cars and then compared them to ‘the golden ratio’ – a mathematic measure for perfect proportions. The top 10 is dominated by classic sports cars from the 60s and 70s, but … [Read more...]