The fleet sector’s pivotal role in delivering zero-emission road transport will see it responsible for 75% of battery electric vehicles on UK roads by 2025. To demonstrate the huge commitment that its members are making to decarbonise, the BVRLA has launched its new Plug in Pledge, which shows the rental, leasing and fleet operator sector owning and operating around 900,000 BEVs within five … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: The French rEVolution by Renault
While other manufacturers have used the Hybrid and plug-in hybrid paths to full electric mobility, Renault took a different route 10-years ago, writes David Miles. Their first all-electric model, the Twizy, was an oddball tandem two seater city car and on the electrification path followed the compact hatchback Renault Zoe - the best selling electric car in the EU. Renault say they are … [Read more...]
New car sales edge upwards
New car sales have started a slow recovery. British new car registrations fell by 35% in June as many dealerships reopened after coronavirus lockdown measures were lifted, but the Welsh and Scottish showrooms' openings were delayed until the end of the month and this affected figures. A total 145,377 new cars were registered in June, leaving accumulated figures down by nearly a half, according … [Read more...]
Budget of hope to smooth rough ride ahead
The Budget provides something for today’s and tomorrow’s drivers, said RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes. “Today the Chancellor has given a boost to drivers of today’s vehicles with a fuel duty freeze while also investing in tomorrow with funding for rapid charging hubs for electric vehicles, an extension to the plug-in car grant, funding to repair Britain’s roads and a commitment to spend on … [Read more...]
Keep Plug-in grant charged to boost ev take up, say dealers
Car dealers want the plug-in car grant maintained and a revision of vehicle excise duty changed to reflect whole-life emissions counted. “UK motorists should continue to receive incentives to ensure a consistent and successful transition to electric vehicles, in particular, this must include preserving the current plug-in grant”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers … [Read more...]
Auction prices looking good this month
Car auction prices are expected to increase or remain stable in October. Conversion rates improved during September as a factor of shortening vehicle supply at a time when dealer and car dealerships were looking for stock for their forecourts, said Louise Wallis (pictured), Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions, commenting on the latest figures from their market attitude … [Read more...]
More are plugging into thoughts of EVs
Two in five drivers (39%) are considering an electric vehicle as their next purchase, an increase of 7.5m drivers in the past two years, according to the new Britain Under the Bonnet report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. While sales figures remain in the low thousands each month, data from dealers, drivers, and online trends suggest a surge in interest in the last two years. The … [Read more...]
Plug-in hybrids powering up sales
The number of plug-in electric cars on British roads grew by three quarters last year, according to new Motorparc by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK’s largest automotive analysis shows there is now a record 195,410 plug-in vehicles on our roads, reflecting the growing choice of models now on offer. Overall ownership of alternatively fuelled vehicles increased by … [Read more...]
Pull the plug on plug-in hybrids, say green group
"Fake" electric cars should be banned, says green group Transport & Environment. On the day the European Parliament rubber-stamps stricter CO2 limits for new cars and vans, Transport & Environment warns that carmakers can exploit loopholes in the regulation to push sales of fake plug-in cars over electric vehicles with no tailpipe emissions. As the rules on crediting EV sales leave … [Read more...]
Mercedes PHEVs available to order
The new Mercede-Benz plug in hybrid E 300 de Saloon and Estate are available to order, starting at £47,700 and £49,700 respectively. The new E 300 de redefines the executive hybrid segment, providing the ultimate combination of diesel’s long-distance efficiency and frugality with the emissions-free running of electricity for over 30 miles. The E 300 de Saloon and Estate are powered by a … [Read more...]