Chris Wright has been covering the automotive industry nationally and internationally for 30 years. Following spells with consumer titles he became News Editor of Automotive Management (AM), Editor of Automotive International, International Editor for Detroit-based Automotive News, and Editor of Dealer Update. He has also co-authored several FT Management Reports and contributes regularly to Justauto.com
The Green Insurer’s van policies will cover all classes of van insurance – social and commuting, business use (carriage of own goods) and haulage (delivering goods) suitable for couriers and delivery drivers. It will aim to help cut costs for van drivers by negotiating special deals with insurers and drivers will also benefit from rewards for environmentally friendly driving worth up to £20 a year through its Leaves reward scheme.
There’s a modern look both outside and in where clever design meets practicality. There’s a fully digital Pure Panel cockpit with two 10-inch displays and Multimedia infotainment system awaits occupants and is just as eye-catching as the bold and elegant new steering wheel.
With a bit more wiggle room taking some pressure off fleet managers, the market switch to EVs is still inevitable and it’s good for businesses to consider how and when they’re going to make the transition. Here, Plug Me, Part of the Calisen Group, a smart energy provider and enabler, takes a look at the considerations, benefits of EVs for businesses, and the timings and steps to take.
Since March 2023 Europcar has doubled the number of dedicated electric runner vehicles on its internal fleet, including the latest addition of 25 MG4s. The benefits are significant. In February 2024 a third (33.6%) of all Europcar Delivery and Collection mileage was completed in an electric vehicle, the highest proportion to date, and ahead of the 2024 target of 25%. By the end of the first quarter, the Europcar Delivery and Collection team had completed 280,000 EV runner miles – a 28% increase on 2023.
While battery electric vehicle (BEV) registration volumes were at their highest ever recorded levels, market share fell by one percentage point from the same month last year, down to 15.2%. Registrations rose 3.8%, with only fleets showing any volume growth.
I have been a big fan of Kia for many years, it makes excellent cars and to be fair, there’s nothing particularly wrong with the EV9. But to achieve World Car of the Year, surely it has to have worldwide appeal – and this car doesn’t in my mind.
As the Standard Variable Tariff drops to 24.5p/kWh on 1st April, the lowest price in two years, drivers of electric vehicles will be able to enjoy greater savings when charging at home. While that will be welcome news for EV drivers keen to reduce their charging costs, Ohme is encouraging those same drivers to make even bigger savings by switching to a smart EV tariff.
The first-of-its-kind 25,500 sq. m. sustainable car retail concept boasts six 150kW EV rapid chargers – capable of providing a 100-kilometre range to EV drivers in as little as six minutes. Open 24 hours a day, the new EV charging hub can power up to 480 cars in a single day, providing a significant boost to Middlesbrough’s EV charging infrastructure.
Written in conjunction with the RAC, and supported by FullyCharged Live, Stop Burning Stuff, Charge Safe and RechargeUK, hard copies will be available free to visitors at the FairCharge stand (R4 Entrance S5) at the Everything Electric Show, Excel Centre, London, 28th, 29th and 30th of April. Free downloadable copies will be available after the show.
It’s aimed at operators who work relatively small local areas and who can charge at a central base. With a range of 180 or so miles it’s a very appealing prospect for last mile deliveries as well as commercial vehicle customers looking to future-proof their business operations and transition to zero emission motoring.
