Category Archives: Electric Vehicles

Christmas, Driving, Electric Vehicles, EVs and Automotive News

Charging home for Christmas – Lexus top tips for a festive EV charge

For the thousands of motorists driving home for Christmas this week, Lexus has curated a list of attractions where drivers of a battery or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, can recharge their car and enjoy a festive break en route. The locations include dazzling light displays, enchanting Christmas trails, and bustling markets, chosen for their focus on design and craftsmanship, which is a central feature of all Lexus cars. They are also strategically placed a few miles from major roads and motorway junctions, so journeys can be resumed quickly and easily.

The recently upgraded Lexus UX 300e all-electric, compact luxury SUV is the perfect car for driving home for Christmas, with a range of up to 279 miles on one charge, an open and spacious interior, and 367 litres of boot space, which is ideal for carrying Christmas presents and overnight bags. For those who over-indulge on turkey and mince pies, the UX 300e’s nanoe™ X air purification technology can neutralise bad odours, act against mould and inhibit viruses, bacteria, pollen and allergens.

M11

Wimpole Estate, near Cambridge, eight miles from junction 12

Wimpole Estate has been beautifully decorated for Christmas with an after-dark illuminations trail, Christmas decorations in Wimpole Hall house, local choirs singing carols, and gifts on sale in the stable block. Festive food and drink are available at The Rectory, Stables Café and Farm Café, and a turkey or vegan roast is served on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12:30 and 14:30.

Christmas Illuminations dates: 24 November 2023 to 31 December 2023. For information and evening tickets visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wimpole-estate.

There are 12 7.4kw electric charge points in the main car park, available through Raw Charging.

M25

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, three miles from junction 10 of the M25

Junction 10 of the M25 is a traffic jam hot-spot right now, so taking a break from the queues to recharge and refresh is recommended. RHS Garden Wisley’s magnificent Glow light display is a real show-stopper. A special illuminated trail through the garden and Glasshouse features dazzling wicker alliums, globes and arches and the Alpine Meadow field of fire, all accompanied by music, orchestrated fountains and special effects. Festive food chalets serve snacks and drinks, such as Bratwurst and hot chocolate, while the Terrace Restaurant and Wisley Café offer special Christmas menus. The Wisley Garden Centre sells gifts and Christmas decorations as well as homewares, books, plants and gardening tools.

RHS Garden Wisley is one of the UK’s most visited and best-loved gardens and is a hub of horticultural excellence, with some of the largest plant collections in the world.

Date: from now until 2 January 2024, 16:00 – 21:00.  For info and tickets visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley.

There are eight standard 7.2 KWH 32 Amp sockets available in the car park for re-charging.

Lexus UX 300e all-electric SUV at GLOW light display at RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey.

A429

Charlecote Park, Warwickshire, two miles from the A429

This Christmas, Charlecote Park will be celebrating the traditional skills and techniques of crafts featured on the Red list – those which are in danger of dying out. The house will therefore be filled with heritage craft-themed decorations, such as globe making, flock wallpaper, illuminated books, and harp making.  There will be a selection of eco-friendly and sustainable gifts on sale in the Servants Hall, which are perfect for last minute Christmas presents, while children will enjoy a heritage crafts puzzle trail.

Charlecote Park is a National Trust Victorian country house located in Charlecote, near Wellesbourne, Warwickshire. The house is situated along the banks of the River Avon and is known for its picturesque setting and 180-acre deer park.

Christmas activities run from now until Monday 8 January 2024; opening hours 9:00 – 16:00 (last entry 15:00).

There are 14 11.4kw electric vehicle charging points in the car park, available through Raw Charging.

A41

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, one mile from A41

Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed grand country house owned and managed by the National Trust.

The house and estate are transformed into a magical wonderland at Christmas, with themed exhibits within the mansion, spectacular light projections on the manor facade inspired by three classic tales and a Christmas lights trail. A Christmas food village runs until 1 January.

Dates: From now until 1 January; Christmas grounds open 12:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:00); Christmas house open 12.30 – 19.30 (last entry 18:30). Visit Waddesdon.org.uk for more info.

There are four 16A EV Type 2 charging socket charging spaces available in the visitor car park.

Waddesdon Manor illuminated with winter lights for Christmas.

A5

Attingham Park, Shropshire, eight miles from A5

Christmas at the National Trust’s Georgian mansion, Attingham House, near Shrewsbury, runs from now until 1 January, featuring more than 50 decorated Christmas trees throughout the house and grounds, including a mile-long walk with festive trees inspired by classic fairy tales.  Visitors can discover All That Glitters inside the house, and an eco-friendly synthetic ice-skating rink is making its debut in the park.

Every Saturday morning in December, 09:30 – 10:15 the mansion will be open for SEN (Special Educational Needs) relaxed sessions, when the house will be quieter and more relaxed, especially for those on the Autism Spectrum who may find the environment overwhelming during busy times.

Dates: Christmas at Attingham is open from now until 1 January 2024. Visit  National Trust website for info on tickets and opening hours.

There are two 7kw Vend electric charging points, each with two connectors, available in the main car park.

M6

Trentham Estate, Staffordshire, one mile from J15 of the M6 and A500

Trentham is home to 725 acres of spectacular natural beauty, with award-winning gardens, ancient woodland and an outdoor shopping village, so there are plenty of walks and attractions to enjoy during a break from driving.

There is a shopping village filled with a range of independent and high street brands housed in more than 80 wooden lodges – perfect for last-minute gifts. There are also plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars to choose from.

Car parking is free, and there are four electric car charging points available, next to the Shopping Village.

M53

Chester Zoo, five miles from the M53

Chester Zoo has an expansive landscape of 130 acres and is one of the United Kingdom’s most famous zoological establishments. In the spirit of the holiday season, Chester Zoo and Sony Music present the world premiere of Lanterns and Light, where the park is transformed into a festive wonderland trail where you can meet giant illuminated model creatures and puppets, such as lions, dolphins and elephants, along the way.

Opening dates: from now until 31 December, 16:15 – 21:15 (last entry for Lights and Lanterns: 20:15)

There are 13 EV charging devices with 26 connectors available.

M4

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, 10 miles from the M4

Hardwick Hall is a stunning Elizabethan house filled with beautiful furniture and tapestries, carefully preserved by the Devonshire family for generations. This Christmas, Hardwick Hall presents Wintertide, a lantern light tour, in which visitors can explore the rich tapestries, friezes, and portraits on the 400-year-old walls and uncover the fascinating stories they hold as they walk through with a lantern. Artist Pedro Sanchez Carvera has created contemporary displays playing with light and shadow that highlight the best of Elizabethan winter celebrations.

Opening dates: from now until 7 January 2024, (gardens open 09:30 – 15:30, house open 11:00 – 15:00). Click here for more info.

There is one device and one connector available in the lower car park.  There are also two EV chargers, each with both 50kw and 120kw connectors, available at the nearby Starbucks on the A617, S44 5LY (12-minute drive).

A483

Erddig, Wales, five miles from the A483

Erddig house and yards have been transformed into a festive wonderland with enchanting decorations, where visitors can enjoy Christmas-inspired craft activities, visit Father Christmas in the grotto and listen to live music on selected dates. There is also a seasonal menu with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows in the restaurant.

Erddig Hall is a National Trust property, built in 1684-1687with a mix of architectural styles. The property’s extensive gardens and parkland are well-known for their beauty and variety and the walled garden is particularly famous for its formal layout and historic plants.

Opening dates: from now until 7 January 2024 (gardens open from 10:00 – 16:00, house from 11:30 – 14:30). Visit National Trust website for more info.

There are three EV charging devices, with four connectors, provided by the ZeroNet network.

M9

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle is among Scotland’s largest and most impressive castles, located on top of an imposing crag with cliffs on three sides.

The ever-popular Christmas Shopping Fayre filled with local crafts, fine foods and drinks, is located on the Stirling Castle esplanade. The castle is serving a festive lunch in the castle Green Room every day until Saturday 23 December.  It is also staging a special adaptation of Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December.

Although there are no EV chargers at the castle itself, there are 33 EV chargers with 98 connectors available at nearby Castleview Low Carbon Hub, FK9 4TW, which is part of the ChargePlace Scotland network. This is just a six-minute drive from the castle.

For info on the location and status of EV chargers around the country, Lexus provides a handy map and guide to public EV chargers: https://www.lexus.co.uk/electric-cars/public-charging.  For those with a Lexus car, the Lexus Public Charging Network is a new subscription-based model that provides access to more than 500,000 charging points across Europe. It also works with the Lexus Link+ app, so drivers can manage all their EV information in one place.

Electric Vehicles, EVs, EVs and Automotive News, News

SOGO marks COP28 with discount deals on a range of EVs.

SOGO mobility is marking the start of COP28 with discounts on a number of electric vehicles it has available on a flexible lease.

15% discounts are available on four of its most popular EVs to coincide with the global summit, which begins in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday (30) November.

The deal includes discounts on monthly leases on the following vehicles, based on 1500 miles per month.*

 

Audi A8 L 60 TFSI e Quattro S Line 4dr Tiptronic  [C+S] for £1,185.75 (usually £1395 per month)

BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport 5dr Auto [Tech/Pro Pack] for £1,185.75 (usually £1385 per month)

KIA Sportage 1.6T GDi HEV GT-Line S 5dr Auto AWD for £488.75 (usually £575 per month)

KIA Xceed 1.5T GDi ISG GT-Line S 5dr DCT for £382.50 (usually £450 per month)

 

The discounts will be available for the duration of COP28, until 12 December.

At COP21 in 2015, the world agreed to limit global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels by 2050. To tackle the issue and remain on target, emissions must be halved by 2030, leaving only seven years to meet that objective.

SOGO is driving the green motoring transition, and a key element of that is EVs, which feature prominently in its fleet. It believes sustainability is a key driving force when it comes to informing customers’ choice of new vehicles.

SOGO recently achieved Scope 3 emissions, making it one of the first in the mobility sector to secure the environmental benchmark. It has developed a comprehensive range of services that makes moving to an electric or very low-emission vehicle easy. For those instances where an EV isn’t suitable, it helps customers measure, reduce and offset their carbon emissions.

SOGO has also launched SOGO Flexi, Salary Sacrifice and Green transition, and Equity Release Scheme, giving customers truly flexible, month-to-month, carbon-neutral mobility with the ability to swap their vehicle when they want for what they want plus:

  • Carbon neutral motoring
  • No upfront payments
  • Monthly lease terms
  • Breakdown cover and roadside assistance included
  • Insurance included (option)
  • Tailored mileage contracts
  • Equity Release

 

Karl Howkins, managing director of SOGO, says: “COP28 UAE presents a prime opportunity to rethink and refocus the climate agenda. We must fully consider all the ways in which climate change can be tackled effectively, and motoring has a huge role to play here. Short-term leasing is essential to the mass adoption of electric vehicles before 2035, when all new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will be banned. Our goal is to provide the industry’s most sustainable vehicle-based mobility solution, customers want choice, and we’ve got to be able to show them different options.”

 

A key consideration when it comes to choosing a new car is its environmental credentials, along with flexibility in ownership. SOGO reports that it is seeing an increasing number of customers taking out shorter-term leases to match their changing lifestyles. A growing number of motorists opt for one-month to 60-day leases before they opt for a replacement vehicle. The business has also seen an 80% decrease in the number of diesel vehicles in its fleet as customers choose hybrid and BEV options.

View the latest deals at https://www.sogomobility.co.uk/ and use code COP281575a93 when ordering.

*price excludes VAT, security deposit and delivery and collection charge.

Electric Vehicles, EVs and Automotive News, London, London News, Telematics

Enfield Council Adopts Ground-Breaking AI Video Telematics For Electric RCV And Targets Road Safety Improvements

Enfield Council has teamed up with VisionTrack to lead the way in road safety and stay at the forefront of fleet innovation. The London borough has worked closely with its existing video telematics partner to develop a sophisticated AI-powered vehicle camera solution for its first fully-electric refuse collection vehicle (RCV). The Renault E-Tech D Wide 26-tonne truck has been specially-designed by Enfield Council and Renault Trucks, to create the most advanced and high-performing waste management vehicle currently available.

“Our aim was to develop an electric RCV of the future that brings together class-leading technologies and helps achieve sustainability, duty of care and road safety goals,” said Cllr Rick Jewell, Cabinet Member for Environment at Enfield Council.  “The collaboration with VisionTrack will provide increased protection to our residents, refuse collection teams and other road users.”

The video telematics solution combines four AI cameras, for 360-degree vision and vulnerable road user (VRU) detection, along with two wing mirror cameras and an external speaker for audible lefthand turn warnings. The intelligent detection cameras use deep learning technology to identify pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people on scooters, while disregarding street furniture.

With configurable safety zones, blind spots around the vehicle will be eliminated and drivers alerted to the precise location of nearby VRUs. Footage will automatically be displayed on an in-cab monitor, and supplemented with an audible, spoken warning. Road safety insight – including footage of collisions, near misses and harsh driving events – will also be uploaded to the Autonomise.ai IoT platform, so Enfield Council has complete visibility of driver, vehicle and fleet risk.

The ultra-quiet Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide Low Entry Cab, equipped with a CP Davidson Titan refuse body, is the first of four to be delivered and will service local households. The electric RCV has been in development for over a year, with Enfield Council and Renault Trucks working in partnership to create a prototype that met the precise needs of a large, busy, London borough. It underwent extensive testing and road trials in Enfield, which demonstrated impressive performance levels, reliability and battery life.

Richard Kent, President of Global Sales at VisionTrack commented: “As a longstanding partner of Enfield Council, we have been supporting their road safety strategy for a number of years with our proven video telematics technologies. This latest initiative uses the latest advances in AI to deliver a ground-breaking solution for a revolutionary waste collection vehicle. It will demonstrate the potential of intelligent camera solutions – especially for heavy vehicles in the urban environment – in terms of 360 visibility, people detection and fleet risk reduction.”

Electric Vehicles, EVs and Automotive News, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

DriveElectric’s new website, by Anything, enables customers to order and arrange finance for an electrical vehicle in under 10 minutes.

Creative digital studio Anything this week revealed the new online experience they have created for DriveElectric, the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EVs) leasing company. The new website supports the business’ growth ambitions, as demand for electric vehicles rises rapidly and enables DriveElectric customers to select, customise and lease their perfect electric vehicle faster than ever before.

DriveElectric is the UK’s largest provider of EVs with a highly consultative team and excellent reputation, scoring 4.7/ 5 on Trustpilot and in 2008 funded the first Tesla roadster in the UK.  Working in partnership with the DriveElectric team, Anything has created an online experience that maintains demand and maximises opportunities in the electric vehicle sector. Aside from DriveElectric’s excellent technical and customer support of leased EVs the business also provides charging cables and equipment, bespoke vehicle add-ons, and even driver training to ensure customers make the best use of the vehicle battery, the new website had to support these services.

The new website showcases DriveElectric EV’s imagery perfectly, while creating a faster customer experience enabling customers to seamlessly navigate the huge choice of EV’s available. DriveElectric customers can search for leasing offers by budget, range, manufacturer or model. Once they have chosen a vehicle, customers can select their preferred lease terms, customise their chosen EV from colour to trim, arrange finance and order in less than 10 minutes.  The Anything team created a refined customer journey and content hierarchy that will positively impact DriveElectric’s website users whilst ensuring they receive the expert help and advice from the industry leader.

Anything Co- Founder, Jono Brain said “DriveElectric are real pioneers in the leasing market for EV’s, being the first to offer UK drivers the option to reduce their emissions and transition to net zero by championing EV’s. However competition in the past decade has become fierce as many car manufacturers and companies have since entered the EV market. We wanted to create an online user experience for DriveElectric that will support the rise in demand for EVs, set them apart from the competition and improve their SEO. It is a pleasure to work with their team and we look forward to continuing to work with DriveElectric to help UK customers find the EV that is right for them.”

DriveElectric CEO Mike Potter said: “We are delighted with the new DriveElectric website, it is faster, structured and looks amazing.  We founded to offer people the opportunity to travel cleaner and live in a less polluted environment by leasing as many cars as we can. We are benefiting not only the new car owner but the planet and everyone on it. Huge thanks to Jono and the team at Anything for their in-depth understanding of our business and their expertise and technical ability to represent it online while futureproofing us for the next stage of our expansion.”

Automotive Tech, Electric Vehicles, Fleet Management, Logistics Tech, News

Novuna Vehicle Solutions And Applied Driving Create Online Driver Training Modules For Fleets Transitioning To Electric Vehicles

Novuna Vehicle Solutions, one of the UK’s leading fleet leasing providers, has teamed up with Applied Driving to develop a suite of online electric vehicle (EV) training content. The set of modules will provide practical guidance to fleet drivers, especially those that are not familiar with using an EV, so they can get the most out of their company vehicle and operate it in a safe and efficient manner.

“For many fleet drivers, operating an electric vehicle is a new experience, so its important they receive the appropriate advice and training,” explains Nick Jones, Strategic Relationship Manager at Novuna Vehicle Solutions. “With a rapidly growing order bank for electric vehicles, we are working closely with our fleet customers, and partners such as Applied Driving, to add value and promote the highest levels of road safety, duty of care and operational performance.”

Applied Driving will initially create four modules – covering EV characteristics, charging, maintenance, and journey planning / range – that provide easy-to-understand content and incorporate unique visual animation. A Novuna-branded portal, with Single Sign-on (SSO) for easy access, will be hosted on Applied Driving’s Riskmapp cloud-based platform, with all new EV orders triggering an invite to the online training modules.

 

Nigel Lawrence, Director of Client Partnerships at Applied Driving commented: “We have been Novuna’s nominated partner for driver training and fleet risk management since 2020. This latest joint initiative is designed to help those fleets making the transition to EVs and provide the guidance needed to educate their drivers. We are committed to developing a comprehensive proposition to changes within the fleet marketplace and support the rapid growth in EVs.”

Electric Vehicles

E-Mobility in the United Kingdom

The UK is making a concerted effort to promote electric cars, with subsidies for the purchase of vehicles and other incentives. There are also initiatives to encourage people to use electric cars as part of their commute, such as free parking at some workplaces, free charging at local authority car parks, and free access to bus lanes. Keep reading for more insights:

Top Trends and Developments

You may have heard that the UK is a world leader in electric car adoption and technology. And you’d be right! The government has invested heavily in e-mobility, which shows that the UK is the world’s largest market for electric cars, with more than half a million on its roads.

The country also boasts Europe’s most extensive charging infrastructure, with over 25,000 public charging points–more than any other European country. It makes it easier for drivers to recharge their vehicles when needed or travel further distances without worrying about running out of power. Smart #1 is an all-new SUV model that has incorporated cutting-edge, high-end technology while considering environmental preservation measures. The new smart #1 is easily rechargeable and it is a game changer in the future of electric cars.

Smart #1: What Is Special About This Car

The smart electric drive is a futuristic-looking car designed to save the environment from pollution. The car’s body is made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and plastic, making it very lightweight. This car’s battery is under the seats, making it easier for the driver to reach it easily.

The smart#1 has a motor that draws its power from lithium-ion batteries in the car’s chassis. These batteries have been designed to be charged quickly using a standard socket found in most homes. Technological advancements have seen smart #1 charge faster, where you can charge from 10% to 80% in just half an hour. It means you do not need to hassle when charging your vehicle since it can be done anywhere.

The new car model is a 6-speed manual transmission with an impressive range of between 60100 miles on one charge, which means that you do not have to worry about running out of battery juice while traveling around town or far away from home since it can easily run for 50 miles on one charge before needing another recharge.

Smart #1 has features that prioritize the safety of the driver. The features include:

  • Automated emergency braking (ABS).
  • Electronic brake distribution (EBD).
  • Lane departure warning.
  • Blind-spot monitoring.
  • A rearview camera.

What Advantages Does It Have?

The main advantages of an electric car are:

  • They’re cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel engine.
  • They are much quieter than traditional vehicles and can be used in residential areas without causing noise pollution.
  • They produce zero emissions when operating, which is better for the environment.
  • smart #1 has improved the driving experience.

The development of charging stations/points in the UK

In the past, there has been an increase in private and public charging points across the country. Your electric car can be recharged in many locations in the UK. Most gas stations are providing charging stations for smart #1. These outlets are for charging; you park and connect your charger for a small fee. These stations offer a convenient way to charge your car while you take a snack.

Due to the rapid increase of electric cars, public locations like the mall, several hotels, eateries, and shopping centers have incorporated charging station services. With the right charging station and a few simple steps, you can quickly recharge your electric car and get back on the road.

If you want to charge your car overnight or don’t have access to a public charging station, you can install an affordable charging station in your home or garage. You only require purchasing the correct charging equipment, putting in the required wiring, and establishing a charging station in your house.

No matter where you recharge your smart #1 car, following all safety precautions and using a glove box and a center console is important.

The new smart#1 has many features that make it a worthwhile investment. It’s affordable, efficient, and comes with plenty of safety features. The car can also be an alternative transport, making it ideal for short distances but need access to public transport in their area.

 

Climate, Climate Action, Electric Vehicles, EVs and Automotive News, News

Competitors Polestar and Rivian make joint call for collective climate action among Car Producers

Polestar and Rivian have announced a joint call for collective action among automakers to tackle the climate emergency, in the first public report of its kind by two EV companies.

The two EV manufacturers have collaborated on a ‘Pathway Report’ which concludes that the automotive industry is set to overshoot the IPCC’s 1.5-degree pathway by at least 75% by 2050. The two pioneering EV makers initiated the report in response to the climate crisis. The report, which uses existing, open-source data to model the current trajectory for emissions stemming from the car industry, was carried out by global management consulting firm Kearney.

Passenger vehicles currently account for 15% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. The IPCC has stated that all GHG emissions need to be reduced by 43% by 2030 and the report makes clear that the automotive industry is far off track, and, alarmingly, will have spent its full CO2e budget already by 2035 without urgent action.

The data presents a pathway based around three key levers. Lever 1 looks at the speed at which fossil fuel-powered cars need to be replaced by electric cars but points out that this alone will not be enough. A lot more work will be required for levers 2 and 3:

  • Increasing renewable energy in power grids
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing supply chain

Pulling just one or two levers in isolation will be insufficient and only reduce the overshoot. Collective action from automakers is needed on all three levers, in parallel, at a global level. Firstly, the industry must accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by investing in manufacturing capabilities, as well as implementing a firm end date for fossil fuel car sales globally. Secondly, build out renewable energy supply to global grids that enable EV’s to reach their full potential through green charging.

Thirdly, decarbonize the manufacturing supply chains for these vehicles through switching to low carbon materials, and investing in renewable energy solutions for supply chains.

Fredrika Klarén, Polestar Head of Sustainability, says: “Car companies may be on different paths when it comes to brand, design, and business strategies, and some won’t even admit that the road to the future is electric. I believe it is, and that the climate crisis is a shared responsibility, and we must look beyond tailpipe emissions. This report makes clear the importance of acting now and together. There’s a clear cost to inaction, but there’s also a financial opportunity for innovators who find new answers to the challenges we face.”

 

Kearney’s report has also been shared with several of the world’s leading car makers, together with an invitation to a roundtable held at the end of January to discuss areas of collective action. The aim is to find a path towards unprecedented, relevant and collective climate action for the car industry.

 

Anisa Costa, Rivian’s Chief Sustainability Officer, adds: “The report’s findings are sobering. Our hope is that this report lays the groundwork for the automotive industry to collaborate in driving progress at the pace and scale we need – and ideally inspiring other industries to do the same. Together, I’m confident we can win the race against time.”

 

The Pathway Report clearly shows the cost of inaction and the strong case for sustainable development. The investment community is moving and capital flows are shifting from traditional investment to sustainable investment, recognising an increasing link between sustainable transformation and financial benefits. In 2021, global sustainability investments totalled USD 35.3 trillion, representing over a third of all assets in five of the world’s biggest markets.

 

Angela Hultberg, global sustainability director at Kearney, says: “We are proud to have been chosen as a trusted expert to develop this report. The result of our modelling clearly shows that the industry needs to accelerate the pace of becoming a low carbon industry. We looked at different scenarios, different data points, and the conclusion is that no matter how you model it, we are far too close for comfort. We sincerely hope this report will be a starting point for the industry to focus on areas where there is agreement and find specific initiatives. It will take collective action to solve some of the issues at hand, and we look forward to seeing what the manufacturers will do in the near future.”

To drive the report forward, Polestar and Rivian invited several of the world’s leading car makers to a briefing and roundtable to discuss the critical steps that need to be taken. This includes:

  • Replacing fossil cars with electric vehicles
  • Increasing renewable energy in the power grids
  • Reducing emissions in the manufacturing supply chain by 81% by 2032

The data shows that pulling just one or two of these won’t be enough – all three need to be worked on, and at speed, with EV manufacturers collaborating like never before.

Electrification alone is not the solution – even if every car sold in the world tomorrow would be electric, we’re still on track to overshoot. Pure EV makers like Rivian and Polestar have a responsibility to double down on production related emissions and advocate for renewable energy across grids to enable green charging.

Despite the gloomy outlook, the report does suggest that the car industry has the technology, funds and know-how to rapidly build the momentum required to get back on track.

 

More talks are planned over the coming months. Other car manufacturers interested in partaking can contact pathway@kearney.com.

Read the full report here.

 

Electric Vehicles, News, South East, Transport

Fleet of London Electric Buses Rapidly Charged by World-First Technology

This week, Transport for London (TfL) announced that a fleet of its electric buses has been fitted with innovative pantograph technology to deliver rapid high-power charges to keep the buses running throughout the day.

The 18 double deckers on route 132 in London can now call into a local bus garage for a top-up which is delivered by an arm-like device that descends to connect with a power receiver on their rooves. This top-up takes less than 10 minutes and is aimed at boosting the conventional ‘slow’ charge received overnight.

It is the first time this technology has been used in the world and is part of the company’s commitment to deliver a fully zero-emission bus fleet in London by 2034, as outlined in its Bus Action Plan.

Uwe Jasnoch, director of government and transportation for EMEA at Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial Division, welcomes the use of this innovative technology and comments on what needs to be considered as the use of electric public transport continues:

“Given the rapid increase in electric vehicles, local governments, transportation companies and electricity suppliers must adapt their infrastructure so that there are enough powerful charging stations to accommodate all vehicles. Transportation suppliers will also have to service these new vehicles, and the charging times of all the electric vehicles on the network need to be taken into consideration as well – which is no easy task.

“There is also an array of challenges that can impact the efficiency of electric vehicles. For example, during a heat wave, the air conditioning in an electric vehicle can drain the battery faster than usual, and multiple stops and starts – which are of course common on bus routes – can also drain batteries quickly. As such, change management will have to become a priority for making this transition to electric transportation a true reality.

“It’s also necessary to factor in the larger city ecosystem by analysing networks like electricity lines, water pipes, and road networks, as well as aggregating power line data and features with an overview of the planned bus routes within a city. This is important because it will detect routes where charging a vehicle during a shift may pose problems due to weak power lines in a certain area. Authorities also need visibility into vehicle routes, battery life, the location of charging stations — even resting times for drivers – to plan effectively. Data monitoring and analysis will therefore rise in importance, especially with 3D capabilities, as this will provide a complete citywide view of traffic, weather, battery life, and roadwork to see and respond to issues before they arise.

“The public transportation arena has seen an explosion in game-changing technology, much like this, which satisfies emerging sustainability initiatives. Local governments and transportation companies must ensure their data monitoring and analytics capabilities are aligned with their wider plans for technological advances in order to avoid hindering their potential.”

 

Electric Vehicles, News

JustPark Launches Competition To Encourage More Brits To Go Electric

To meet our 2030 climate goals, more than half of all new cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2028 – up from just 11.6% last year. But despite the looming petrol and diesel car ban, many Brits remain reticent when it comes to EV adoption.

A recent JustPark study into EV barriers found that almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents would not consider switching to electric because of a lack of reliable and convenient charging points. Nearly half (42%) cited the higher price point of EVs as a major issue, as well as the lack of second-hand options on the market. The study also revealed a general lack of knowledge and awareness: many drivers simply don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing an electric vehicle.

But change is afoot. 2021 saw the largest ever increase in the number of EV registrations, up 92% on the previous year. In June 2022 alone, battery-electric cars accounted for 16% of all new car registrations in the UK. Public EV charging infrastructure continues to improve, and initiatives like JustCharge – a network of bookable home EV chargers – are working to gradually open up the UK’s 400,000 private chargers for public use.

Now, in a bid to tackle other barriers to adoption and get more Brits behind the wheel of an EV, JustPark is offering drivers the chance to win a free six-month subscription for an Audi e-tron electric car. The UK’s largest parking network has launched a nationwide #RateMyDriveway competition, inviting people to take a picture of their driveway or parking spot and upload it to the JustPark website. The brand hopes the competition will encourage more drivers to take the plunge and go electric by showing them just how hassle-free the switch can be.

Entries will be judged on driveway layout and design, as well as security, ease of access and weather protection. A shortlist will be put to a public vote, with the winner taking home a six-month subscription to online EV service, elmo drive. Ten runners up will also receive £200 off their first month.

For existing EV drivers that have already made the switch, JustPark offers numerous other rewards, including a free £50 Amazon voucher when you list your charger on its network for 3 months and 50% off when you book an EV charging space via the app or website with your Visa card.

Mike Strahlman, Director of EV at JustPark said: “Transport makes up 26% of all UK carbon emissions – the largest of any sector – but we have all the tools we need to reduce this dramatically over the next decade.

“We are constantly working to expand our network of EV chargers across the UK to allay drivers’ charging infrastructure concerns, and we hope this latest initiative will help to break down other barriers to EV adoption and make the transition as seamless as possible.

“By showing drivers just how quick, easy and affordable going electric can be, we want to encourage more of them to make the switch and be a part of the climate solution.”

The competition is open now and runs until 23rd September 2022. So, if you have a driveway worth shouting about, get your submission in today.

Electric Vehicles, EVs and Automotive News, Tax

Companies go ‘Business in Kind’ on electric cars as eco revolution accelerates

Employees at companies in the UK are increasingly switching to electric cars due to a combination of environmental, tax relief and regulatory reasons, it emerged today.

Unprecedented demand is being seen by Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, following a new strategic partnership with Total Motion, a major UK fleet management and leasing provider which offers salary sacrifice car schemes via trading company Pink Salary Exchange.

Richard Goddard, partner and head of tax at Azets South West and Wales, provides advice to employers looking to move away from diesel and petrol towards a green fleet, including plug-ins.

He said: “The UK’s net-zero carbon strategy is rightly focusing minds in a way we’ve never witnessed before and this is showing through increased demand for electric battery company cars. We are inundated with requests from companies keen to reward staff with a government-approved tax ‘benefit in kind’ through zero carbon or low carbon emission vehicles.

 Around 90% of our advisory work on company cars used to involve internal combustion engines (ICE), with the remaining 10% covering electric – now the position seems to have reversed. The trend is toward a very strong focus on the provision of electric vehicles as part of the overall employee reward package. This seems to be the trend across the UK.Not only that, 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. There is the perception aspect to consider these days – pulling up to a meeting in a diesel car may leave customers wondering if your company is practising what it preaches. There’s also the regulatory side – companies are looking to pre-empt any bans on diesel and petrol vehicles in certain locations. It is perhaps only a matter of time before diesel and petrol cars are prohibited from travelling in ‘smog cities’ and it is worth bearing in mind that the government has announced new proposals which would see more than 50% of all new cars sold to be fully electric by 2028, just six years away. One more factor is also driving demand – diesel and petrol costs are at record highs.”

Demand for new electric cars is borne out by industry data – nearly 191,000 were on the roads in 2021, an 11.6% share of the new-car market in the UK.

Richard said: “According to industry forecasts, pure-electric cars are poised to make up one in six new cars on the roads this year and this will undoubtedly accelerate as the supply chain improves and the charging infrastructure grows.”

He added: “Where an employee receives a company car by reason of employment, this gives rise to a taxable ‘benefit in kind’, known as BIK. Income tax, payable by the employee, and Class 1A NICs, payable by the employer, are due on the ‘cash equivalent’ of the benefit. But conventionally fuelled vehicles are more expensive for both employee and employer – electric vehicles, and to a lesser extent, hybrid vehicles, provide significant advantages in this regard.” An illustrative example is included below.”

Azets’ strategic partnership sees the Top 10 accountancy firm provide advice to businesses on tax planning and Total Motion matching demand and marques.

Total Motion Director Simon Hill, based at the company’s headquarters in Leicester, said: “Our partnership with Azets is helping decarbonise road traffic as more companies look to the environmental, tax, staff retention and reputational benefits of pure-play electric vehicles for directors and employees. From 2030, which is not that far off the horizon, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned. That cut-off date is focusing many minds.”

 

Example EV vs ICE BIK comparison

Vauxhall Corsa SE BMW 330d M Sport Nissan Leaf Tekna Tesla Model 3
Fuel Type Petrol Diesel Electric Electric
List Price £15,356 £44,035 £34,440 £48,490
CO2 Emissions (g/km) 93 137 Nil Nil
2022/23 BIK (%) 23% 32% 2% 2%
Cash Equivalent £3,530 £14,091 £689 £970
Employee Marginal Tax Rate 20% 40% 20% 40%
Income Tax on BIK £706 £5,636 £138 £388
Class 1A NI costs £262 £2,121 £51 £146
Total Tax Cost £968 £7,757 £189 £534
Tax Saving (employee) – – £568 £5,249
Class 1A NI saving (employer) – – £211 £1,975