Category Archives: Sales

Dutch government wants to ban petrol and diesel cars

April 27, 2016Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Peak Oil, SalesTrevor Larkum

Dutch Labour party wants to halt the sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2025; is this the beginning of the end for the mass-produced combustion engine?

Dutch Labour party PvdA is pressing for the banning of sales of all petrol and diesel cars in the Netherlands from 2025.

The proposal has been met with support from the country’s lower houses of Parliament and could mean that only alternatively fuelled vehicles – such as electric cars – could be sold in the market nine years from now.

European leaders have been talking about such a ban for many years – insiders have suggested Paris will be the first to implement a zero-emissions-vehicle-only zone within its boundaries – but if it were introduced, the Dutch policy would come as the first complete ban on combustion-engined vehicles.

The proposal arrives a year after the Netherlands joined the International Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Alliance, which aims to make all new vehicles use electric power by the year 2050. The country is already one of the fastest growing markets for alternatively fuelled cars, with nearly one in 10 cars bought last year using electric power.

The UK has seen similarly rapid levels of growth, although the overall number of sales for alternatively fuelled vehicles is comparably small. The latest figures from March reveal that sales of alternative-fuel vehicles grew by 21% year on year, compared with sales growths of 4.8% and 4.7% for diesel and petrol cars respectively.

Too many plug-in cars being sold

April 19, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

As sales of electric and hybrid vehicles rise by a third over 2015, the government may review the plug-in grant that incentivises buyers

The government may review its plug-in vehicle grant for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVS) due to the high uptake of cars that qualify for the scheme.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a total of 3352 ULEV vehicles have been registered so far this year – a rise of 37.2% compared with 2015.

It has been reported that more than 11,000 applications for grants were received in February alone, prompting speculation that the government could change its plug-in grant scheme.

While the government has already pledged to continue offering the grant until 2018, a review of the service is planned for next year. A Department for Transport spokesman told Autocar that the government was

“constantly monitoring the market for changes. If the new tier system shows a large change in sales we may need to look at it to ensure the £400 million pot of taxpayer’s money is spent in the right way.”

Tesla Motors’ Elon Musk just killed the petrol car

April 16, 2016Electric Cars, Model 3, Opinion, Sales, TeslaTrevor Larkum

“Adios gas-powered cars.”

[4 April 2016] That was the reaction of Barclays analyst Brian Johnston over the weekend to news that Tesla Motors had received orders for nearly 200,000 of its Model 3 electric vehicle in less than two days.

By nightfall on Saturday, that order tally had jumped to 276,000. That’s more than $US280 million in zero-cost capital to Tesla, from the $US1,000, $A1,500 and €1,000 deposits, and total orders for more than $A13 billion of electric vehicles.

It is – by a long shot – the fastest growing customer order book in the history of the automobile industry. And for a car that will not even enter production for 18 months, and has a price tag of $US35,000.

Barclay’s Johnston says the huge order numbers – more than the monthly sales of General Motors – suggests the tide is turning away from the internal combustion engine. Other analysts agreed.

“Tesla has changed the game again,”

said Andrea James, an analyst with Dougherty & Co. Alliance Bernstein’s Mark Jones also called it a “game changer”, and so too did Evercore ISI analyst George Galliers.

“To us the vehicle is ‘the game changer’ and will likely play a critical role in Elon Musk’s desire to expedite the auto industry’s transition from internal combustion engine to electric,”

Galliers wrote in a client’s note.

It’s hard not to agree with Johnston and the other analysts. There could have been no greater demonstration of the latent demand for electric vehicles than the response to the Model 3.

This is not just a Tesla thing, as alluring as the brand might be. It is a sign, noted Johnston and the other analysts, that the days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. Some say it may be over by 2025.

Musk has not played a lone hand in this. The German automaker VW managed to kill the future of the diesel car when it was forced to admit that its emissions claims were completely bogus – a development that forced it and other car makers to throw all their efforts into electric vehicles.

The Disruption In Oil Markets Is Just Beginning

April 8, 2016Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, Oil, Opinion, SalesTrevor Larkum

The near-term outlook for oil markets is a mess.

Price volatility recently reached its highest level since the global financial crisis as traders, investors and the industry as a whole try to sort through the significance of two big changes: the rapid rise of the upstart U.S. shale industry, which grew from essentially nothing in 2010 to being the world’s sixth largest source of oil supplies in 2015; and Saudi Arabia’s decision to abandon its role as market manager.

These are important issues for the near term, but they pale in comparison to a much bigger set of long-term issues. Two mega-trends are gaining steam that together have the potential to truly upend the energy industry.

First, signs of serious competition to oil in its most important market—transportation—are beginning to emerge. In the United States, more than 70% of the oil we consume is burned in our cars, trucks, ships and aircraft. The figure globally is only slightly less, at 64%. And for at least the past 100 years, oil has been the only game in town when it comes to mobility fuel.

But based on a slew of data emerging over the past few weeks, that might be about to change. According to a new report from the Frankfurt School, global electric vehicle (EV) sales surged by nearly 60% last year, bringing the total number sold since 2011 to just over 1.1 million. That’s right—despite their higher purchase price, limited range and longer refueling times, electric vehicles took a massive step forward in 2015 even as oil prices collapsed. Incredibly, most of the growth came from China, where sales almost quadrupled compared to 2014.

India floats ambitious goal: 100 percent electric cars

April 5, 2016Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Pollution, SalesTrevor Larkum

India has a grandiose vision for its 1.2 billion people to drive only electric vehicles by 2030. And that’s not even the most ambitious part — the government thinks it can do it without spending a dime.

“We are trying to make this program self-financing,” Power Minister Piyush Goyal said at a youth conference this week, according to The Times of India. “We don’t need one rupee of support from the government. We don’t need one rupee of investment from the people of India.”

Goyal noted that a small working group of politicians will meet in early April to hammer out the details of the goal, which could include a program to incentivize buying electric cars by making them zero-down investments. Later on, the money the car owners would have spent on gas could go to paying off the price of the vehicle, according to Goyal.

As far as number of cars owned per household, India ranks low on the list, with just 6 percent of households reporting they own a car. But that number is expected to grow exponentially as the economy expands.

It’s not the first time India has announced sweeping sustainability plans under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sometimes to mixed results. Last October, the world’s third biggest greenhouse gas polluter announced its new climate plan, promising to obtain 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources (primarily solar) by 2030. But earlier this year, the World Trade Organization ruled that provisions of Modi’s solar plan shut out international companies, particularly the U.S., from India’s burgeoning solar market. Most recently, the country levied a 4 percent “green” tax on new passenger vehicle sales, part of an effort to fight air pollution and traffic congestion.

India has no time to waste to tackle its pollution problem as its capital, New Delhi, already has worse air quality than Beijing.

Source: Grist

Leasing companies drive uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles

April 4, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

New figures from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association confirm the sector’s position as the UK’s leading adopter of cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The BVRLA’s latest quarterly survey of its leasing members found that almost one in 20 (4.7%) of all new leased cars registered in the final quarter of 2015 was a plug-in, well-ahead of the market penetration achieved across all new registrations, which stood at 1.3%.

The leasing sector’s low-emission credentials are also demonstrated by the fact that more than 25% of lease cars now sit in VED band A (sub 100g/km CO2) while the overall market share for all new cars sold in 2015 stands at 20%.

Thanks to this ever-increasing adoption of pure and plug-in hybrid electric cars as well as low-emission petrol and diesel vehicles, the average lease car added to a BVRLA member fleet in 2015 emitted just 112.6g/km CO2, more than 7% less than the average new car registered in 2015.

Responding to the news on behalf of Go Ultra Low, Poppy Welch said:

“We’ve been encouraged by the growing number of fleets realising the multiple advantages of electric vehicles – and BVRLA members continue to play a pivotal role through education on whole-life costs and employee benefits. More businesses need to be bold, opening their thinking to incorporate electric vehicles and the cost-savings they bring.”

According to the latest BVRLA survey, leasing companies were responsible for around 1.3 million1 business cars and vans at the end of 2015, which was a 5.5% increase year-on-year.

Commenting on the news, BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said:

“More and more businesses are turning to leasing as a source of finance and BVRLA members are helping these companies to operate cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.”

“The government needs to recognise that the company car or van is more than just a taxable perk and a valuable source of revenue for the Treasury. These vehicles are vital business tools that can play a huge role in reducing the UK’s road transport carbon emissions. Without a fair and simple tax regime for company vehicles, this won’t happen.”

Source: BVRLA

Renault Increases Sales Of Electric Cars In February By 60%

March 31, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Sales, ZOETrevor Larkum

For 18 consecutive months Renault has increased sales of its electric cars (not counting the on and off again Twizy).

Renault BEVs sales – February 2016 (Image: Inside EVs)

In February, the French company moved 2,152 cars (125 Fluence Z.E., 361 Kangoo Z.E. and 1,666 ZOE including 19 commercial registrations), which is 60% more than year ago, and an additional 126 Twizy – bringing the EV total to 2,278.

The key player in the Renault fleet is the ZOE, which is still growing by a fast 74% – from 947 in 2015 to 1,647!

Most of ZOE sales, 1,182 of them – or nearly 72%, were registered in France, so the Renault flagship is pretty dependent on its home market and incentives in this market.

Cumulatively, Renault has now sold over 85,000 electric vehicles.

Source: Inside EVs

Easy to maintain electric cars save owners £1,000 a year

February 26, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

Motorists could save more than £300 per year on car maintenance by switching to electric cars according to Go Ultra Low, the ultra-low emission vehicle campaign. When combined with fuel savings, the total adds up to savings of more than £1,000 each year.

EVs cost £300 less in servicing and maintenance costs, and around £750 in fuel bills

The Go Ultra Low study discovered that the average motorist spends £400 each year for servicing and maintenance for their petrol or diesel car – compared to the equivalent £96 annual costs for owners of electric cars.

For the county as a whole, the average cost racks up to £13 billion spend each year on maintenance and servicing for petrol and diesel cars, with a saving of up to £10 billion if every motorist switched to plug-in cars.

The main reason behind the difference in maintenance costs is the simplified powertrain found in electric cars, with fewer moving parts, things to go wrong, and consumables.

The calculations are fairly conservative too,with the Go Ultra Low survey reporting that more than one third of respondents who own petrol and diesel cars saying that they paid between £100 and £200 extra on unanticipated costs.

Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, said:

“Pure electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than cars with an internal combustion engine. This means that there are fewer things which require maintenance, and servicing is simpler and cheaper to complete with fewer consumables. Drivers dread unexpected large repair bills, but as more motorists switch to electric vehicles, these killer bills are becoming a thing of the past.

“It’s time that the British public realise just how cheap electric vehicles are to live with – and it’s not just the cut-price servicing. Fuel and running costs can be as low as 2p per mile and plug-in vehicles benefit from the lowest rates of tax, offering the average driver significant cost savings.”

Last year, Go Ultra Low revealed that motorists could cut £750 on their annual fuel bills by going electric. Today;s results show that more needs to be done to educate car buyers on the costs involved with electric cars. More than a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents think that electric cars are more expensive to run and 17 per cent consider plug-in vehicles to be more expensive to service.

Sales of plug-in cars continue to grow as more drivers realise the benefits the ultra low emission vehicles’ ultra low running costs.

Source: Next Green Car

Are Londoners ready to switch to EVs?

February 26, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

A majority of people in London would switch to electric vehicles (EVs), according to a new survey.

Electric vehicles on charge (Image: ELN)

It claims 80% said they would consider going green if they were buying a car in the next six months.

At least six in 10 Londoners also said they are worried about the environment and the long term impact of air pollution.

The new survey of more than 1,700 people from Vital research and statistics and commissioned by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), also reveals 16% intend to vote for the London Mayoral candidate who promises to tackle the city’s air pollution.

A study published this week found around 40,000 deaths a year are linked to air pollution in the UK.

Despite the enthusiasm for EVs, Londoners are concerned about the price as they believe greener cars are more expensive to buy and run compared to diesel or petrol cars and have a limited range.

They are also worried there aren’t enough charging points and qualified technicians in the capital to service the cars.

However according to the IMI, electric and hybrid cars are “just as fast as petrol cars and the running costs are a fraction of current vehicles”.

Steve Nash, CEO at IMI added:

“Very soon drivers will realise the true capabilities of electric vehicles with manufacturers continuing to advance the technology. As our research indicates demand will surge and it’s clear the next London Mayor has an urgent task to ensure the charging infrastructure is capable of keeping pace as Londoners make the switch to greener fuel to get around the city.

“The government will also need to focus on the skills base required to keep these cars on the road. With only 1,000 technicians currently qualified in the UK, they have some way to go.”

Yesterday a new report revealed EVs will represent 35% of new car sales globally by 2040.

Source: Energy Live News

Electric Cars To Be 35 Percent Of Global Sales By 2040

February 25, 2016Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

Despite steady progress over the past few years, electric cars still make up only a very small percentage of the tens of millions of new cars sold globally every year.

Projected electric-car sales by 2040 (Image: Bloomberg New Energy Finance)

And while that won’t change immediately, energy-industry analysts believe a surge in electric-car sales could be just around the corner.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids could come to represent 35 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2040, according to a recent report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

They will achieve that through a major increase in sales beginning in the 2020s, analysts say, driven primarily by steady decreases in the cost of lithium-ion battery cells.

By 2040, they expect electric-car sales to hit 41 million units, around 90 times the number sold in 2015.

Electric cars could also represent about a quarter of the vehicles on world roads by that date, according to Bloomberg.