Category Archives: FAQ

Petrol prices are driving us to electric cars, and surging utility bills are no deterrent

April 6, 2022Buying/Leasing, Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

EV sales are rising way beyond forecasts, indicating that most of us are more than ready to make the switch

The net zero transition is really a big invest-to-save plan. Saving the planet is obviously the main goal, but there are purely financial savings too if you take the long view: we pay upfront in the next few decades for the infrastructure for lower carbon travel, heating and production, which saves us money over time because it’s cheaper to run.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are where the big savings come from. A year’s petrol or diesel typically costs well over £1,000, but if you can charge an electric car at your home overnight the annual fuel cost can be under £150.

Making the EV switch is a big job – we’ve got 32m cars to replace. But the turnover has recently gone up several gears, with EV sales outpacing all forecasts: they now account for one in five new car purchases.

Interesting new research digs into how sensitive are drivers pondering the switch to the savings that come from moving from petrol to electric vehicles. Using data from California, it shows the obvious: EV sales respond both to electricity prices (falling as they rise) and to petrol prices (rising as pump prices increase).

The interesting bit is that sales respond to petrol prices at around four to six times the rate of electricity prices. Why? Consumers are just less aware of electricity prices than petrol prices. I definitely am, having watched petrol pump prices rise by 40p a litre over the past year.

So if you want a (small) silver lining to today’s catastrophic energy price surge, it’s that bonkers pump prices should encourage more people to buy electric vehicles while nuts electricity prices won’t put them off much.

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2022 World Car of the Year – top 3 finalists are all EVs

April 5, 2022Buying/Leasing, Charging, Electric Cars, Hyundai, IONIQ Electric, News, Reviews and Comment, Sales, UncategorizedRepost

The top three finalists in the running to be named as the 2022 World Car of the Year have been announced, and all are electric vehicles, rather symbolic of where things are heading. Whittled down from the previous round, the final showdown will see the Ford Mustang Mach-E duking it out with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the 2022 European Car of the Year winner, for the coveted title.

The Ioniq 5 is also in contention to grab wins in two other categories, the first being in the World Electric Vehicle of the Year segment, which is a new addition to the awards this year. Here, the Korean offering is going up against the Audi e-tron GT and the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Hyundai IONIQ Electric 2020 (Image: Hyundai)

It’s also in the running to bag the World Car Design of the Year award, although it will have to edge out another two EVs, the Audi e-tron GT and Kia EV6, for the gong. Now, if you’re thinking that the tentacles of electrification end there, think again, because two of the three final competitors in the World Luxury Car category are also electrics – will either the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS edge out the Genesis GV70 for that particular crown?

It doesn’t end there, because the Audi e-tron GT appears once more, this time in the World Performance Car category – challenging it for the win will be the BMW M3/M4 and Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ twins. As for the final three competing for the World Urban Car title, they are the Opel Mokka, Toyota Yaris Cross and Volkswagen Taigun.

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Smart charge point regulations explained

April 1, 2022Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

EV charging is changing in June 2022

On 30th June 2022 the way we charge electric vehicles is going to change. That’s when The Electric Vehicles Smart Charge Point Regulations 2021 come into force (catchy title isn’t it!).

Charging with an Ohme smart charging cable

Hang on. Don’t you just plug in and charge?

Well in theory, yes. Charging your EV at home or work is really simple – although you can charge from a standard (13A) socket – you ideally need to have a suitable charge point installed for topping up your battery.

Currently charge points simply need to be ‘internet connected’ – which often means some nice visual tools in a mobile app – with some charge points also allowing you to set schedules so that you charge overnight when the electricity prices from some energy suppliers are lower.

Great for EV drivers, but what happens if every EV starts charging at the same time?

There are lots of people who enjoy spreading doom and gloom about EV’s and the electricity supply. According to the National Grid who manage the electricity transmission network, there’s plenty of capacity to meet the future electricity demand – but not if everyone charges at the same time. That’s the what the new smart charge point regulations are aiming to solve.

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RENAULT MÉGANE E-TECH ELECTRIC 2022 REVIEW: FUNCTION, FORM AND EFFICIENCY

March 29, 2022Buying/Leasing, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, RenaultRepost

Renault has produced a diamond

With six billion kilometres (3.7bn miles) covered by its more than 400,000 electric cars sold to date, it’s fair to say that Renault has some experience with electric vehicles. However, for most of the last 10 years the French brand has only had one main model — the Zoe — to showcase its EV expertise.

All that changes later this year with the arrival of the Mégane E-Tech Electric (quite a mouthful, isn’t it?). As familiar as the Mégane name is, this is an all-new and electric-only model that targets a segment led by the Nissan Leaf, Kia e-Niro and Volkswagen ID.3.

Renault electric SUV (Image: Auto Express/Playback)

Renault will offer buyers a choice of two battery sizes and two power outputs, with the most efficient capable of up to 292 miles between charges. The crossover-influenced design, upmarket interior and one of the most capable onboard charging systems on the market are all sure to make it a desirable choice and give its competitors a headache.

Exterior design and rivals

Just like a concept car you might see at a motor show (remember those?), the Mégane E-Tech Electric has striking proportions that make it look larger than it actually is. Measuring 4.2 metres long, it’s actually slightly shorter than a Ford Focus, but with up to 20in wheels pushed out to the Mégane’s extremities, it has the presence of a bigger car.

Nonetheless, as Renault has managed to produce a battery that is only 110mm thick, the Mégane isn’t that tall; its roofline is lower than the Zoe’s.

A high bonnet and beltline provide crossover styling cues, as do the black wheel arch surrounds and sills. The front door handles retract to sit flush with the bodywork while the rear handles are integrated into the door frame.

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Huge law changes will see electric vehicle chargers installed on new homes – ‘fantastic’

March 28, 2022At Home, Buying/Leasing, Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

A MAJOR law change which is set to be introduced this year will see all new homes and buildings equipped with electric car chargers have been hailed as “really effective”.

It is expected that a law will be passed this year which will require all new houses and buildings to have electric vehicle charging stations. The Government said the move will see up to 145,000 charging points installed across England each year, in the hopes it will make charging an EV as easy as “refuelling a petrol or diesel car today”.

The changes will also require all newly-built and refurbished non-residential buildings with more than 10 on-site parking spaces to have at least one charge point – as well as cable routes for at least one in five spaces.

Meanwhile, blocks of flats undergoing major renovation with more than 10 on-site parking spaces will need to provide residents with chargers.

For each dwelling with associated parking, there should be at least one charge point, as well as cable routes in all spaces without charge points.

The Government had previously announced that all new-build homes could be fitted with an electric car charge point in 2019.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, spoke of how newly built car parks and retail developments will benefit from the EV charger law.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: “The changes in the planning regulations have been really quite effective in making sure that any new build car park not only has a day one installation of charging infrastructure but is also future proofed for more.

“That is great. We’ve had a number of leads coming to us with people saying they were building a new retail park and they’ve got to have electric chargers, so let’s talk.

“That’s fantastic because it’s forcing people to open the conversation.

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Fiat 500 Action review: Electric car is the most affordable option for now

March 25, 2022500 2021, Buying/Leasing, Charging, Electric Cars, Fiat, News, Reviews and Comment, UncategorizedRepost

The electric Fiat 500 is not related to the regular petrol 500 that’s been on our streets since 2007. For starters it is 60mm longer and the same measurement in extra width

Dacia is looking likely to bring its Spring electric car to the UK. I applied thumbscrews to a Dacia spokesman at the recent launch of the Jogger seven-seater – and although he manfully didn’t crack under torture, his body language suggested it.

I hope it does because with Dacia’s fantastic value pricing structure it’ll be very affordable.

Most European countries have far more generous EV grants than us, but even so the Spring could cost under £15,000.

I mention it because this week we’re testing the Fiat 500, which in the specification we’re driving, is currently the cheapest electric car you can buy in the UK.

It’s fitted with a 24kWh hour battery. If you’ve got your head around this EV malarkey you’ll know a 24kWh battery doesn’t give you a huge range. The official figure for the car is 115 miles. Fine if you use it for city driving and local journeys, but tremendous patience and a lot of spare time is required if you want to cross the country in it.

Best mention the price. With the PICG deducted, our Action trim level 500 with no options costs £22,335. The next most affordable EVs are MG’s ZS crossover and MG5 estate, and Renault’s Zoe. All of those are around 27 grand but do have significantly longer ranges. You can also buy a Fiat 500 with a 42kWh battery that will give a range of just under 200 miles but that car is similar money to the Zoe and MG models.

The electric Fiat 500 is not related to the regular petrol 500 that’s been on our streets since 2007 (we owned two of them, first a hatchback and second a convertible). For starters it is 60mm longer and the same measurement in extra width.

It’s still a diddy car, though. A bit more spacious in the back than the petrol models but still better suited to kids than adults.

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UK Plugin EV Share Doubles To 26% As Tesla Model Y Debuts

March 24, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, LEVC, Model Y, News, Reviews and Comment, Tesla, UncategorizedRepost

The UK, Europe’s second largest plugin market, saw electric vehicle share almost double year on year to 25.6% in February. Full electrics alone took 17.7% share. Overall auto volume was down some 28% over seasonal norms, to 58,994 units. Debuting in February after a long wait, the Tesla Model Y was the best selling electric, and 4th in the overall market.

February’s combined plugin result of 25.6% comprised 17.7% full battery electrics (BEVs), and 7.9% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). This strong weighting towards BEV is in line with recent months.

Petrol-only powertrain share was down to 40.6%, its second lowest ever (from last December), a significant fall off from the 52.1% of February 2021.

The temporary “quick fix” transition technology of plugless hybrids (both HEV and mild) may have already peaked, seeing 27.2% in February, from over 30% in mid 2021.

UK’s Popular BEV Brands

With Tesla’s international shipping arriving again in February, and after a long wait, the Tesla Model Y saw its UK debut. It took the number one spot for best selling BEVs in the month, and #4 in the overall UK auto market. Its older sibling, the Model 3 was right behind, at #5 overall.

For context, here’s the list for February’s overall auto market leaders (all powertrains):

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British drivers buying millions of EVs – second only to China in number of cars purchased

March 22, 2022Ariya, Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, Electric Taxis, Energy and Climate Change, Fleet, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, SalesRepost

CAR BUYERS in the UK have purchased the second highest number of EVs in the world – second only to China.

The staggering rise in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) purchased by Britons was underlined by new figures showing the UK second only to China in the amount of battery-powered cars bought in the past ten years. The research by experts at PartCatalog showed there were more than 1.75million EVs sold in Britain since 2010.

It also showed that between 2015 and 2020, yearly sales of electric cars have increased a massive 444 percent globally, going from around 500,000 sales to just shy of three million per year over the five years.

China leads the world in EV uptake with more than 4.5million cars sold over the past decade.

The country also manufactures more EVs than anyone else, with even US-based Tesla making more cars in Shanghai than they do in California.

But the UK is runner-up and way ahead of countries like Germany, the USA and France.

Even traditionally early technology adopters like Japan are way down the table.

Both China and the UK have seen their Governments hand large subsidies and grants to buyers to tempt them into buying electric vehicles, which is likely to be an influence on the amount sold.

However the Government here will shortly scrap the £350 grant for installing a home charger and last month lowered the grant for buying an EV from £2,500 to £1,500.

It was originally £5,000 when initially introduced but has been reduced every year since.

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Ford splits gas-powered and electric vehicle businesses but doesn’t spin them off

March 18, 2022Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, Fleet, Ford, Ford, Formula E, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

(CNN Business)Ford is creating two new business units, one for electric vehicles and software and another for its traditional internal combustion vehicles. These companies will report their financial results separately from the rest of Ford but they will not be spun off as entirely separate companies.

This new corporate structure will allow investors to more clearly see the value of the two types of business, Ford (F) chief executive Jim Farley said, but it will not enable investors to buy stock in just the EV business. Farley said he had considered a full spin-off of the electric vehicle business, but it was simply too difficult to entirely carve it out as distinct from the rest of Ford’s operations. Also, he said, there was no need to sell stock in a new company.

“We have enough capital,” he said. “We can fund this ourselves.”

Farley, himself, will lead Ford Model e, the division focused on electric vehicles, technology, and software. Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford’s international business unit, will lead Ford Blue, the internal combustion business.

Model E is a play on Ford’s famous Model T, the car that popularized automobiles in America in the early 20th century. Tesla had once wanted to use the Model E name for its own more affordable electric car — the company’s model names would have spelled out S-E-X-Y, had it been successful — but Ford presented a legal challenge, thanks to the long-running production of Ford’s E-series van. Tesla ultimately named its vehicle the Model 3, instead.

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New Nottinghamshire solar point can charge 100 electric cars a day

March 16, 2022Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Solar PowerRepost

A new solar-powered hub could charge up to 100 electric vehicles a day, according to the authority behind it.

The hub is opening in the car park of Gamston Community Centre in Nottinghamshire.

Rushcliffe Borough Council said the facility formed part of its carbon management plan and would, in time, largely be powered by natural light.

It said electric and hybrid users would be able to charge their vehicles up to 80% in 30 minutes.

‘Greener transport’

The facility will add to the council’s network of sites in Keyworth, Radcliffe on Trent, Cotgrave and Rushcliffe Arena in West Bridgford, the authority said.

The council’s portfolio holder for communities and climate change Abby Brennan said: “The charging point is an essential part of our work to… help reduce the environmental impact of our operations.

“As a council, we’re committed to installing more electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

“This will continue to encourage the use of electric or hybrid vehicles, as the infrastructure to support them becomes even more convenient and available to residents.”

The authority has been able to provide the site, near the A52, as part of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

The council’s portfolio holder for environment and safety Rob Inglis said: “We’re once again thrilled to bring more public electric charging points to Rushcliffe by providing this new solar-powered facility in Gamston and just yards from one of our major road routes.

“This infrastructure will continue to support residents to make the switch to greener transport and complement our existing sites with more to come later this year.”

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