More than half of consumers “hugely overestimate” the time it takes for used electric car batteries to lose range, according to April’s Startline Used Car Tracker. Asked to estimate typical range loss after five years, 56% said they expected the fall to be 30% or more. In fact, research shows the real world result is likely to be less than half this figure. The average degradation for … [Read more...]
Retail News
Passing problems and your driving test
Between April and June last year, over 630,000 car theory tests were conducted. With some areas of the country still experiencing a backlog for practical tests, passing your theory first time so that you can book your practical has never been more important. For learner drivers who have their theory test approaching, the experts at Bill Plant Driving School have shared 7 tips to help them … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 April
Skoda will launch six new pure electric models across its entire range by 2026. The VW Group member also plans to continue with petrol and PHEV models over the introduction period. Pembroke Dock (66.2%) and Aberystwyth (65.0%) have two of the highest pass rates for learners in Britain, says Aviva insurance. Latest figures from the DVSA show a national pass rate of 48.4% with a quarter of … [Read more...]
Welshman wins sombre Croatia Rally, leads WRC
Elfyn Evans stormed to victory at Croatia Rally on Sunday afternoon, soaring to the top of the FIA World Rally Championship standings in the process. The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and co-driver dedicated their win (below) to their friend and fellow competitor Craig Breen, who tragically lost his life in the build-up to the event. Scott Martin sat alongside Breen as co-driver between 2014 and … [Read more...]
Ford BlueCruise tech warning from FleetCheck
The arrival of Ford’s new BlueCruise – the first legal hands-free driving product available on UK roads – raises a whole series of questions that fleets need to answer, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, said, “The fleet industry has been discussing the theoretical implications of hands-free driving for some time but the real-world availability of … [Read more...]
EV fleet challenge to smaller businesses
According to recent findings by Alphabet GB, small and medium-sized fleets are facing difficulties in transitioning to electric vehicles. While companies have the desire to initiate the switch to electrified vehicles, 45% of fleet managers claimed that they lack the required knowledge and time to take the crucial initial steps. A majority of businesses that operate with smaller fleets are still … [Read more...]
Britons get back into their cars
More Britons are getting back into the driving seat following the pandemic, according to new annual Motorparc data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. However, the provision of public ev charge points has slowed and has not kept up with increasing registrations of PHEVs and BEVs. The Moorparc data shows the number of cars in use on UK roads in 2022 rising by 124,393 units to a … [Read more...]
Inheriting bad driving habits
A new study has revealed that bad driving is hereditary, finding that you're more likely to commit a driving offence, if your parents have done too. Scrap Car Comparison who conducted the study, analysed the driving records of both 'bad' drivers and those with a clean motoring history, and compared them with the records of their parents. From this, they found that those that have previously … [Read more...]
Smart ♯1 charges into UK this summer
The pure electric Smart ♯1 compact SUV will come to Britain by the end of the summer beginning with just 100 Launch Edition high spec versions at £39,450. Initially available in three production variants – the £35,950 Pro+, Premium from £38,950 and BRABUS beginning at £43,450 – as well as a highly exclusive Launch Edition, the newcomers use 200 or 315 KW motors and 62kWh batteries with claimed … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 April
New research reveals that of the 20 million drivers who regularly use their car for journeys of between one to two miles, some 6.9 million (34%) want to switch to other travel methods. Almost one in seven car owners (13%) said they want to cycle on more of these trips, while 6% want to make more use of an electric bike. The study has been carried out for Kwik Fit, which has launched a new … [Read more...]