There are a few weeds to be taken care of as the motor industry, energy providers, related suppliers and authorities take us down the green road towards 2030 and onwards, writes Robin Roberts. The haste and race to have low emission cars and other vehicles on our roads is tripping over some serious issues, notably cost, and not just for vehicles and infrastructure but the expense of losing … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 February
Ford will sell only pure electric vehicles in Europe by 2030. In five years it will offer hybrid cars across its range as it transforms, two years after its vans, and it will use Volkswagen platforms but assemble models in Cologne. MG electric car owners can subscribe to a £6 monthly service plan if they do under 10,000 miles annually. Petrol models cost from £14 and selected used models can … [Read more...]
High fleet returns pose problems for businesses
With the volume of lease extensions coming to an end, voluntary terminations and repossessions expected to substantially increase as lockdown eases. Now MJB Automotive is warning fleet and remarketing decision-makers to prepare for the reality that completing vehicle repairs before resale may not be achievable. According to MJB Automotive if the support chain has not returned to 100% operational … [Read more...]
£1,000 bill for diesel drivers after lockdowns
Diesel vehicle drivers are facing a possible £1,000 bill when they start up after prolonged lockdown, unless they take precautions, warns warranty company Motor Easy. Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO at MotorEasy said, “Throughout the three lockdowns, we’ve seen a spike in battery and alternator claims as a result of cars not being used as much. Batteries are not getting the chance to charge up like … [Read more...]
Radical shake up of MoTs suggested
The MoT test may need a radical shakeup to reflect the arrival of electric power and very sophisticated technology fitted to the latest vehicles. That’s the view of KwikFit, which test about a million vehicles annually and head of their service Eric Smith. He points out that currently hybrid models and battery electric vehicles are not tested for emissions and these and other cars have features … [Read more...]
Tradelines 3 February
Volvo Cars has received the highest global rating for its sustainability performance from EcoVadis, a leading provider of corporate sustainability assessments. According to EcoVadis, Volvo Cars’ sustainability performance deserves an Advanced Platinum Medal rating, placing Volvo Cars in the top one per cent among all 75,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis. Accident aftercare specialist AX … [Read more...]
Insurance shock looming for latest car owners
Thousands of drivers could see their car insurance rocket if new uncapped data is used by insurers. Since 2009, Thatcham's Group Insurance Rating has placed vehicles into a 1-50 system by using a capped algorithm to help insurers determine the cost of cover. While there are no plans to replace the current process, raw data shared as a result of taking the cap off has seen around 500 cars surge … [Read more...]
Keep up maintenance during lockdown
As the UK enters a third national lockdown, Kwik Fit is encouraging drivers to include some key car care measures into their lockdown routine to save their vehicles from damage. In normal years, the fact that cars make fewer journeys over the Christmas holidays always leads to a spike in battery problems in the first weeks of January, helping to make battery problems the number cause of … [Read more...]
Lockdown checklist for motorists
With the Christmas break looming as well as more irregular and varying lockdowns being imposed, it's important motorists keep their cars in working order, get them MoT tested if appropriate and fit to hit the road when the restrictions end. Helpfully, here are Green Flag's top tips for keeping a car healthy through winter and lockdowns: Look after your battery– start your vehicle once a … [Read more...]
Dishing the dirt on the germs in your car
ATS has dished the dirt on its customers. Cleanliness really has been put next to goodliness this year when shopping, socialising or simply being at home, but how about sitting in your car? Here, according to Professor John Ward from the Department of Biochemical Engineering at University College London, there is a problem,“Studies have found that on the average toilet seat there are 50 … [Read more...]