Category Archives: FAQ

Inflation Reduction Act passes the US House of Representatives

August 26, 2022Buying/Leasing, Economy, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Press ReleaseRepost

The Inflation Reduction Act, which also includes the reform of the EV tax credit, has now passed the House of Representatives after the Senate and is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden in the coming days. The new eligibility requirements will make most electric models ineligible for the tax credit.

After the package was repeatedly reduced in the Senate in numerous rounds of negotiations, the vote in the House of Representatives was considered a formality due to the majority ratios there. The same applies to the final signature of US President Biden. Even in its greatly reduced scope, the climate-related expenditure of 369 billion US dollars is the largest climate package ever passed in the USA.

For the tax credit on the purchase of an electric car, the changes are massive – it remains at the maximum $7,500 subsidy amount, but the requirements to qualify for the full subsidy have been tightened enormously. And the requirements will continue to increase in the coming years. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, whose members include the US corporations GM and Ford, as well as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Hyundai-Kia, estimates that 70 per cent of BEVs and PHEVs will no longer be eligible for subsidies as early as 2023.

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The MG 4 EV will start at just under £26k in the UK

August 23, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, MG, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

Maker of affordable EVs unveils tempting prices for its new 281-mile electric hatch

It’s been a busy week for the new-age MG. After releasing an extremely low-resolution teaser video of its upcoming flagship electric sports car, it has now confirmed pricing for the 4 EV hatchback…

And it’s good news for all those interested in genuinely affordable electric cars, because prices will apparently start at £25,995 for the base-spec SE Standard Range, rising to £28,495 for the SE Long Range and £31,495 for the all-you-can-eat Trophy Long Range.

The former of those three gets a 51kWh battery and a decent 218 miles of range, while the SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range make use of a bigger 64kWh unit that can rapid-charge at speeds of up to 135kW. MG says range for those two specs is 281 miles and 270 miles respectively.

Like what you’re hearing? It’s worth remembering now the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant has been ditched, a boggo Nissan Leaf starts at £28,995 and comes with a 39kWh battery for just 168 miles of range.

As with the 5 EV electric estate, MG will throw in a load of kit on the 4 including a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch driver display. You’ll get a seven-year warranty too, plus a choice of six different exterior colours from launch. Our advice? Spec the Volcano Orange you see above.

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Renault ZOE hatchback review

August 22, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Uncategorized, ZOERepost

“The Renault ZOE is a stylish electric supermini that’s affordable and has a decent range, making it very convincing”

Renault prides itself on being at the forefront of electric car development and the ZOE is the first electric car to offer a real zero-emissions alternative to regular family superminis. This is thanks to its relatively low purchase price and packaging that broadly matches the Renault Clio for practicality.

The introduction of the latest ZOE in 2019 brought a welcome increase in power, along with styling changes, a simplified range structure and updated infotainment system, improving what was already a quite appealing electric-car proposition. Its low-mounted battery pack has the dual advantages of increasing interior space and lowering the ZOE’s centre of gravity; the car is rewarding to drive around town as a result.

2020 Renault Zoe (Image: Renault) — The improved Renault Zoe has a longer range and posher interior (Image: Renault)

ZOE line-up was revised with the battery leasing option being discontinued. Now every ZOE comes with the battery pack included, putting it on a level playing field with new rivals like the Peugeot e-208, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Honda e and MINI Electric.

Its 52kWh battery offers a claimed range of up to 239 miles of range on a charge and can be charged from 0-80% in around an hour and ten minutes using a 50kW charger – although this is only feasible on version with the R135 Rapid Charge powertrain that have the CCS fast-charging capability. The quoted range is more likely in good conditions, and this new model shouldn’t drop as much range in winter as the old version.

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EV demand on the up | Fleets look to models with shortest lead times

August 11, 2022Charging, Electric Cars, Leasing a new car, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

The demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased by 72% in the second quarter of this year, reports Leasing.com.

New data released by the car leasing comparison website, shows that consumer and business demand for all BEVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) increased by 48% compared to Q2 last year, while BEV demand alone increased by 72% between April and June 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

Meanwhile, demand for internal combustion vehicles (petrol and diesel) fell by 25% in Q2, with petrol demand falling 14% in the same period.

Leasing.com’s latest figures show that electric vehicles are closing the gap on petrol’s dominance in the new car leasing market.

Electric vehicles saw a 36.5% share of total sales enquiries via the website in Q2 compared to petrol’s 54.5% market share.

The gap between the fuel types continues to narrow each month. However, supply issues continue to dictate the sales winners in the new car market.

Consumers and businesses are gravitating towards the models that they can get hold of quickest and demand has softened for those brands with longer lead times. This has created opportunities for some manufacturers to rapidly grow their market share, says Leasing.com.

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Should I buy an electric car? The pros and cons of making the switch

August 10, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

The UK is on the road to becoming carbon-neutral and, from 2030, sales of all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned.

Sooner or later, motorists will have to consider switching to an electric car. The big question is whether it makes more sense now or later?

The transition from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars to electric vehicles (EVs) is being driven by the impact that petrol and diesel cars have on the environment.

Fossil fuelled vehicles are responsible for around a fifth of all carbon emissions in the UK, according to Greenpeace. There’s also a clear link between pollution and life-changing illnesses such as coronary heart disease, respiratory disease and lung cancer, and asthma.

The argument for electric cars is compelling, but as with most things, EVs have their advantages and disadvantages.

We’ve weighed up the pros and cons of zero emissions vehicles to help you decide if an electric vehicle is the best option for you right now.

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5 Reasons Electric Vehicle Sales Are Soaring

August 8, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

They look great, have fantastic acceleration, and cut down on your gas costs. What’s not to love?

Electric vehicle sales are soaring, and the only problem at the moment is that automakers are struggling to keep up with growing consumer demand. The surge in electric vehicle sales is the direct result of consumers learning about EVs and their benefits and an increase in manufacturers offering EVs, allowing consumers many more choices.

But there are other reasons for the ongoing uptick in electric vehicle sales and why so many people are finally making the switch.

Independence from gasoline is one of the greatest reasons to buy an electric vehicle. Not only because of the expense but simply eliminating the need to stop at a gas station from time to time. Many people have realized that electric vehicles allow the convenience of simply charging your vehicle while you sleep, in the comfort of your own home, and then getting on with your day the next morning.

Not having to stop at a gas station is a true luxury. Furthermore, gas station prices are higher than ever before worldwide, and not only this, but it’s extremely difficult to predict when these spikes in gas prices will occur—as well as when they will go down again.

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Want an electric car but fear the cost? Here’s how to flick the switch

August 4, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

Make the change without forking out huge sums

Consumers are more and more eager to go electric. The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on British roads is soon set to exceed France after a huge surge in sales. But while a growing number of motorists want to switch, many are also wondering if they can afford it.

Although they are cheaper to run, EVs are more expensive to buy than other vehicles, leading many to believe they are out of their price range. And while the number of EVs sold in the UK has now exceeded half a million, research from the Green Finance Institute says that most purchases are by corporate fleet companies, and not individuals.

A report from the thinktank says: “Consumer adoption of EVs is still in its infancy, and a number of barriers deter larger numbers from switching in the short term.

“Higher upfront cost of the vehicles, the pace of improvement in battery range, concerns about access to reliable charging infrastructure and perceived complexity of transitioning means many are hesitant about making an EV their next car,”

Last year the average pre-tax retail price of a medium-sized EV was €33,300 (£28,914) compared with €18,600 for a petrol car, according to BloombergNEF.

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‘Only a matter of time’ until diesel and petrol vehicles are ‘prohibited’ before 2030 ban

July 28, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

PETROL and diesel car sales are set to be banned from 2030 onwards, with one expert saying that cities may implement bans on polluting vehicles in the years to come.

From 2030, the Government will restrict the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles to boost its aim of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Major steps are already being taken to limit the use of petrol and diesel, including tax benefits for electric cars, and penalty charges for polluting vehicles.

A handful of cities have introduced emissions-based charging zones to cut down on pollution and give drivers the incentive to switch to electric.

ZOE Headlight Bulb and Owner's Manual (Image: T. Larkum) — ZOE Headlight Bulb and Owner’s Manual (Image: T. Larkum)

One of the most popular benefits for drivers is the car tax cuts they can benefit from.

Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax allows drivers to get an electric car at a much lower tax rate compared to petrol and diesel alternatives.

Currently, motorists pay just two percent tax on an electric car, whereas some diesel company cars can attract a tax rate of more than 35 percent.

David Hedges, Employment Tax Partner at Azets, said the 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban will have a major impact on consumer choices in the coming years.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “Employers, with environmental, social and governance on the boardroom agenda feel it is the right thing to do for the environment as we move away from polluting fossil fuels.

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Electric vehicle breakthrough as UK’s ‘amazing’ progress set to save Britons £12billion

July 26, 2022Buying a new car, Economy, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

BRITAIN has performed “better than expected” as its electric vehicle masterplan is set to save Britons £12billion, experts told Express.co.uk.

Last week, the independent Climate Change Committee(CCC) released a landmark 600-page assessment of the Government’s various policies and strategies surrounding the energy crisis and climate change. While the report slammed several aspects of the Government’s handling of the energy crisis, particularly surrounding insulation and emissions reduction, experts involved in the report hailed the incredible progress that the UK has made in the past few years, surpassing expectations.

The Government has previously announced plans to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, as the report noted that the UK was “on track” to hit this target.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, David Joffe, the Head of Carbon Budgets at CCC, and one of the leads on the report said: “We’re really happy with most of the plans in the sort of road-transport area where electric vehicles seem to be adopted quite widely now.

“We’re optimistic now on the path to every new car being all-electric by 2030, so that’s really positive and the government has policies to ensure that it’s properly funded.

“The latest data says 12 percent of new car sales is electric and that’s more than we expected at this point and that’s growing at this time.”

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Carmakers Start to Starve Combustion Models Out of Existence

July 25, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

Investment in electric vehicles is coming at the expense of engines, transmissions and redesigns of gas burners.

Automakers have announced a whopping $526 billion collective investment in electric vehicles through 2026, more than double the amount they mapped out over a similar forward time frame a couple years ago.

Since the industry isn’t doubling its total capital spending, all that investment in EVs — tallied by consulting firm AlixPartners — will come at the expense of development dollars for new and redesigned internal combustion engine vehicles.

Makes sense, right? The hot growth is in EVs. But hang on. General Motors has said it aspires to go all-electric by 2035, and other companies are saying 2040 or later. That means consumers will be able to buy a brand new gasoline-burning vehicle for another 15 or 20 years.

If models running on fuel will be available that far into the future, but most of the investment is going into EVs, auto dealers will be selling some very stale sets of wheels in the coming years.

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