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The best cars eligible for zero per cent benefit in kind in 2020

August 6, 2019Audi, e-tron, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

The government has announced that it is reducing the amount of company car tax that buyers of electric vehicles will be charged in a bid to accelerate the switch to zero-emission vehicles.

For 2020, buyers of all-electric vehicles will be charged zero per cent benefit in kind, with this increasing to one per cent in 2021 and two per cent in 2022.

That means there are potentially massive tax benefits to be had for company car drivers who make the switch – but which EVs are best to take advantage of these savings? We’ve outlined some of our favourites.

Audi e-tron

If you’re looking for a company car, premium appeal, lots of space and a long range are important – and that’s where the e-tron comes in.

Audi’s first vehicle built to be an EV from the ground up has won plaudits for being a great-to-drive electric SUV that doesn’t require compromises to own. With a range of 237 miles and the ability to charge at 150kW, range anxiety should be a thing of the past.

Electric car models to triple in Europe by 2021

August 5, 2019Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

The number of electric car models available to consumers in Europe is expected to triple by 2021, says a European environmental lobby group.

The uptake of electric cars has been stalling, blamed on a lack of charging infrastructure and higher prices.

Latest data shows carmakers will offer 214 electric car models in 2021, up from 60 models at the end of 2018.

More affordable options could see consumers switch from petrol and diesel cars sooner than anticipated.

Analysis by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), based on data by research firm IHS Markit, suggests that car manufacturers are now ready to embrace car electrification.

In 2021, carmakers are forecast to bring 92 fully electric models and 118 plug-in hybrid models to market.

If they stick to these plans, 22% of vehicles produced could have a plug by 2025, which would enable manufacturers to easily meet the EU’s car CO2 emissions target of 95g/km by 2025.

The biggest electric car production plants will be in Germany, France, Spain and Italy, the data shows. Some 16 large-scale lithium-ion battery cell plants are confirmed or due to begin operations in Europe by 2023.

“Thanks to the EU car CO2 standards, Europe is about to see a wave of new, longer range, and more affordable electric cars hit the market,” said Lucien Mathieu, a transport and e-mobility analyst at T&E.

“That is good news, but the job is not yet done. We need governments to help roll out electric vehicle charging at home and at work, and we need changes to car taxation to make electric cars even more attractive than polluting diesel, petrol or poor plug-in hybrid vehicles.”

Electric Vehicle Sales Are Exploding In Europe

August 4, 2019Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

The next two years are likely to be the tipping point for electric vehicles (EVs) going mainstream in Europe, as the number of electric car models on the European market is set to more than triple in the next three years, Transport & Environment (T&E), Europe’s leading clean transport campaign group, says in a new analysis.

According to T&E, which analyzed the upcoming offerings using data from authoritative industry source IHS Markit, the number of EV models made across the European Union (EU) will jump from around 60 models available at end-2018 to a total of 214 battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fuel cell (FCEV) models in 2021, and further up to 333 models in 2025.

“Until recently, the EV market was limited to a niche of early adopters but tomorrow’s landscape will be very different as EVs enter a new phase and near the mass market,” the report from T&E says.

Based on IHS Markit’s light vehicle production forecast data and in-house T&E analysis, the production of EVs in Europe is set to surge six-fold between 2019 and 2025, reaching more than 4 million cars and vans. This production volume would account more than a fifth of the EU car production volumes.

EV manufacturing will be replacing diesel-fueled car making across Europe, with the largest production sites in western Europe—Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, T&E’s analysis shows. In central and eastern Europe, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are also expected to be significant EV production centers.

Renault EV Sales Strongly Increase In June 2019: 3rd Best Month Ever

August 3, 2019Electric Cars, Kangoo Z.E., Master Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Renault, ZOERepost

Both the Renault ZOE and the Kangoo Z.E. sell like hot cakes

Renault noted a very strong electric car sales results in June 2019, delivering some 6,418 cars (excluding Twizy), which is 45% more than a year ago.

After six months, sales amounted to 30,659 YTD (up 43%):

Renault ZOE (passenger and commercial versions) – 5,309 (up 49%) and 25,686 YTD (up 44%)
Renault Kangoo Z.E. – 1,036 (up 22%) and 4,759 YTD (up 31%)
Renault Master Z.E. – 73 (up 3,550%) and 214 YTD (up 1,845%)

A great June (the third-best month ever) means that the unveiling of the all-new Renault ZOE Z.E. 50 in mid-June didn’t decrease demand for the outgoing generation of ZOE – at least not immediately.

Renault lineup – from left Twizy, ZOE, Kangoo Z.E., Master Z.E.

This past month BEVs accounted for close to 2.4% of all cars sold by Renault globally and 3.9% in Europe (where almost all Renault EVs are sold).

Source: Inside EVs

New MG ZS EV 2019 review

August 2, 2019Electric Cars, MG, News, Reviews and Comment, ZS EVRepost

Can MG’s ZS EV match the established players in the compact electric SUV class?

Verdict 4 stars
The MG ZS EV isn’t about to set new benchmarks on dynamics. But as an overall proposition, with that aggressive pricing, the practicality and low running costs factored in, it is by far the best effort yet from the ‘reborn’ MG brand. And one that deserves to find its place as a real alternative to the likes of the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf – particularly amongst electric car customers, second-car families and company car choosers, who tend to be more focused on ease of use and battery ranges than they are the badge on the nose.

The MG ZS has garnered a reputation for being one of the more practical small SUVs on the market – a vehicle that sits between the likes of the Nissan Juke and Qashqai on size, while competing hard on price. Now, though, the range is being bolstered by the ZS EV – a pure-electric version that has the potential to radically shift MG’s brand perception with British buyers.

In fact, if the stories about pent-up demand for small EVs are indeed true, the ZS EV surely has the potential to become MG’s best-selling vehicle in the UK. That’s because the British division has access to decent supply of the vehicle, which is made in China, where MG and sister firm Roewe shifted 140,000 EVs in 2018 alone, and a recently opened battery factory can supply up to 300,000 vehicles per year. When the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric and even the Kia e-Niro are stifled by long waiting lists, there’s a clear opportunity for MG to steal more than a few customers.

The ZS EV can’t compete with those Korean models on range but then, it’s undercutting them both on price anyway (and then some – more of that later). The battery capacity is 44.5kWh – enough, under the tougher WLTP test regime, for an official range of 163 miles – some way short of the e-Niro’s 282 miles, but pretty much on a par with the likes of the current 40kWh Nissan Leaf (168 miles). The WLTP city range, incidentally, is 231 miles – a sign of how much more sympathetic urban driving is to battery life.

Engenie maps out plans to double UK rapid chargers by 2024

August 1, 2019Charging, Electric Cars, Engenie, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Engenie is set to double the number of rapid chargers in the UK, installing over 2,000 by 2024.

The move comes after a £35 million investment commitment from European infrastructure fund Cube Infrastructure Fund II.

In May, data from Zap-Map revealed there were 2,189 rapid chargers across the country. This figure has since increased to 2,296 at 1,573 locations. Engenie’s plans for the installation of over 2,000 chargers will effectively double the number of rapid chargers in the UK.

The rapid charging points are to be installed at accessible public sites, including supermarkets and retail parks. By the end of this year, 100 sites are to have rapid chargers installed.

Engenie’s charge points don’t require a membership of connection fee, operating a contactless payment method. The 50kW chargers are compatible with all EVs currently on the market.

Electric car charge points to be installed in every new home

July 31, 2019Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

England will be the first country in the world to introduce mandatory electric car charging points for new-build homes

All new homes in England will have to be fitted with charge points for electric vehicles, as the government seeks to facilitate the infrastructure improvements necessary for the planned mass-adoption of electric vehicles.

The news comes as Department for Transport has announced a public consultation on the subject. If the planned changes to building regulations go through, it would force homebuilders to install charge points so potential owners could easily charge their plug-in hybrids and electric cars at home. The move would mean buyers of new-build homes would not need to make use of the Government’s home charger subsidy scheme, which has seen almost 100,000 wallboxes installed.

No mention has been made of how new-build houses without off-street parking would be fitted with charge points, but last week the Government invested nearly £40 million into research projects that included wireless charge points, and charge points that rise up from the pavement.

BP Chargemaster to install 200 rapid chargers at UK pubs

July 30, 2019BP Chargemaster, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

BP Chargemaster is to roll out up to 200 rapid chargers at pubs and restaurants run by Mitchells & Butlers across the UK.

The decision to roll out the chargers comes after trials at several of Mitchells & Butlers’ locations. Up to 50 chargers are expected to be installed by October 2019.

The 50kW Ultracharge chargers are to be installed with investment from BP Chargemaster and will be part of its Polar network. They will be available to be used on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis.

In 2018, Marston’s Inns and Taverns partnered with Engenie to become the first UK pub company to roll out rapid chargers across its sites. This new announcement marks increased interest in rapid charging from UK pub companies.

David Newton, chief operating officer at BP Chargemaster, said the chargers will make driving across the country “even easier” and allow drivers to enjoy a break on a long journey.

“At this stage in the market, we are seeing electric vehicle drivers actively seek out locations that offer convenient charging, so we also expect to deliver additional footfall to sites that host our rapid chargers.”

Renault Zoe EV getting ready to plow snow at the Andros Trophy racing series

July 29, 2019Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, ZOERepost

These are interesting times we live in. Electric cars walk the world, and some even make advances in professional motorsports.

The Renault Zoe has new ice to break in this field, though.

The Andros Trophy is an off-season racing series held in France and so far attended exclusively by traditional, fossil fuel-burning cars. The DA Racing team intends to break from that tradition, however. Their experienced driver, Jean-Baptiste Dubourg, will join the next championship behind the wheel of a modded Renault Zoe.

Modded how exactly? We don’t have the answers yet, but the production car is obviously looking forward to major tweaks and design alterations, especially since freezing weather is known to have an utterly devastating effect on traction battery capacity and performance. So far, finding a workaround is at the top of the priority list.

Government unveils proposals for new build housing to have EV chargers as standard

July 28, 2019Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

The government has unveiled proposals for new build houses to be fitted with chargepoints and pledged to ensure new rapid chargers will provide ‘pay as you go’ payment options.

In a public consultation, the government is proposing that every new residential building with an associated car parking space is fitted with a chargepoint. This would also apply to any buildings undergoing renovation to residential use.

Every residential building undergoing major works with more than 10 parking spaces would also be required to have a chargepoint and the cable routes for a chargepoint for one in five spaces. This would also be true for every non-residential new build and non-residential building undergoing major renovation.

Existing non-residential buildings with over 20 parking spaces will also be required to have a chargepoint, which would be applicable from 2025.

In its second EV announcement, the government revealed plans to ensure all new rapid chargers provide ‘pay as you go’ credit or debit card payment options from spring 2020. It says it is prepared to use powers in the Automated and Electric Vehicles act to ensure ‘a good deal’ for consumers.