European automotive suppliers are making their supply chains more sustainable, but they face the challenge of financing these efforts from existing operations and industry sentiment is not very optimistic. Policymakers should take the necessary steps to provide support, but industry will also need to work harder to stay ahead. CLEPA’s research on sustainability reports reveals that suppliers … [Read more...]
Retail News
EVs gaining ground for some journeys but not all
Petrol and diesel vans are likely to be used by fleets for rural journeys and motorways but business car users are most likely to rely on evs for any trip. Few businesses are considering the type of journeys being taken, for example – rural, urban and motorway – when electrifying their company car fleets, according to new research. The 2023 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows that among … [Read more...]
Fleet discounts driving slight rise in new car registrations
October’s new car market grew by 14.3% to reach 153,529 registrations, 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels and marking the best performance for the month since 2018, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The 15th month of consecutive growth was driven almost entirely by large fleet registrations, which grew 28.8% to reach 87,479 units. Private demand was stable at 62,915 … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 November
Polestar strengthens its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint through two strategic partnerships in the UK with Ohme as home charging partner and green energy provider, Octopus Energy. The three-way partnership will offer Polestar customers in the UK both cheaper charging at home and on the road together with the option to reduce carbon footprint through renewable energy provision for home … [Read more...]
Financial squeeze is cutting used car choice
The financial squeeze is starting to hurt car buyers. AA Finance said motorists are borrowing 5% less for used car purchases this year as the cost-of-living crisis bites. This time last year, the average loan would be enough to buy seven of the 10 most popular used cars but only four would be affordable after price rises were taken into account this year. The average amount financed last year … [Read more...]
Global warming needs new fuel approach to crisis
The world cannot wait for alternative fuel sources and needs to take action now to cut the impact of fossil fuels, said a leading international fuel tech company. New analysis has revealed that human fossil fuel emissions are threatening the key 1.5C climate threshold twice as quickly as previously thought. Researchers say the limit could be continually breached as early as 2029, rather than the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda MX-30 R-EV first drive
Mazda is never afraid to be different and it shows in their latest MX-30 R-EV. Keeping its quirky ‘suicide’ rear passenger doors for easy access to the back seats the real change is up front under the bonnet in the newcomer. It joins the pure battery MX-30 and the CX-60 PHEV in the marque’s range with a PHEV powertrain which utilises a sub-900cc rotary engine acting as a generator to power the … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 November
Mid and West Wales has the lowest ratio of car thefts to population in Britain, said Go.Compare. Its analysis of crime data reveals Dyfed-Powys police marked up just 0.49 thefts per 1,000 registered cars compared to the highest of 12.67 per thousand in Cleveland, with the Ford Fiesta the most stolen model. Around 60,000 vehicle owners a day are paying the £12.50 fee for entering London’s … [Read more...]
Wales’ drivers get more out of evs in winter
South and West Wales drivers will suffer less than the north of Britain as winter sweeps in and cuts the mileage from their electric cars and vans. Technical components distributor Distrelec estimates that the ideal climate for an EV is 21°C to get the most miles out of a single charge. Comparatively, EVs tend to achieve more mileage in climates that are milder. Distrelec’s research found Truro … [Read more...]
Wales write-offs are lowest in UK
Have an accident in Wales and your car is less likely to be written off than any other part of Britain, according to the latest analysis. One in three (37%) UK drivers have had a car written off by an insurance company, with this rising to two fifths of men (41%), compared to a third of women (33%). In the Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers, for InsuretheGap.com, a leading provider of Guaranteed … [Read more...]