Latest Electric Vehicle News
Octopus EV calls for clarity on BiK rates for EVs
As drivers enter new lease agreements this year that will take them into 2028, Octopus has called on the Government to provide clarity on what these tax rules will look like beyond this date.
Impressive Tusker fleet growth pushes fleet to 75% EV
Despite record rises being seen in insurance costs for owner-drivers, Tusker is continuing to focus on the affordability of driving an electric car through a salary sacrifice arrangement and the company’s policies remain cost effective. With amounts fixed for the duration of the agreement, and with BIK rates published until 2028, drivers are fully aware of their monthly commitment for the duration of their agreement.
UK risks missing ‘golden’ investment opportunities in green revolution
Leading environmental experts, including Oxford University and the Arup Group, have forecast that new green industries could contribute $10.3 trillion to the world economy by 2050. However, the government and now the government-in-waiting have both rowed back on commitments to invest in the industries that will drive this change.
Launch report: A more affordable Kia EV9
Kia is adding an entry-level model to its recently launched EV9, a large flagship electric SUV to take on the likes of the Range Rover.
Renault Scenic E-Tech wins Euro Car of the Year title
Renault's revival of the Scenic nameplate has earned the French manufacturer its first European Car of the Year award in 18 years.
HMRC changes advisory fuel rates
The latest quarterly review of advisory fuel rates by HMRC has seen changes to the amounts of fuel costs that company car drivers can claim back from their employer.
Fusilier is first full-electric 4×4 from Ineos
Ineos has revealed the Fusilier, the brand's third 4x4 model and the first with a full-electric powertrain.
MG to launch IM electric brand at Geneva
MG will unveil the IM L6 saloon at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, the first in a new line of premium-sector battery-electric vehicles scheduled to launch in Europe in 2025.
Time to switch on to the benefits of leasing electric company cars
There are lots of advantages for switching to electric car leasing for your business, but it’s the cost savings on Benefit in Kind (BIK) and VAT that really make sound [...]
BYD adds hybrid to electric at Geneva
BYD will unveil its first European plug-in hybrid model at the revived Geneva Motor Show on 26th February. The BYD Seal U DM-i is a variant of the Chinese brand's D-segment electric SUV which is expected to go on sale in the UK later this year.
Claim rates are key to controlling EV premiums
The fleet view is often that insurers don’t like EVs because they tend to be expensive to buy, that parts are often in short supply, and that the electrical, mechanical and bodywork expertise needed to repair them is still in short supply although insurers say that these things matter but only to a limited extent, and that the most important fact when it comes to controlling premiums is to do more to prevent EV accidents and theft.
Fleets set to remain ‘backbone’ of EV transition in 2024
With EVs set to make up a growing proportion of the overall new car parc, thanks to the ZEV mandate, a rapidly changing OEM product mix and other factors, buyers need to be found for these new EVs. Without a sudden and dramatic turnaround in consumer appetite, fleets will continue to shoulder that burden.
Van operators starting to take hydrogen seriously
Move towards hydrogen is largely being prompted by the difficulties surrounding the adoption of electric vans in their current form. Some fleets in some applications are finding that the range and payload of the electric vans available so far remain unsuitable for their needs. There are also operational issues ranging from poor towing ability through to practical difficulties such as charging out of hours.
Clenergy EV and Paua collaborate to improve EV charging for fleets
EV drivers using the Paua app or card can recharge their vehicle at selected charge points powered by Clenergy EV software. With over 43,000 charge point connectors Paua is the UK’s largest roaming network. The collaboration with Clenergy EV will increase the network by a further 10 per cent, making over 4,000 new charge points available to Paua customers across the UK.
Shared electric van charging committee launched
Charging has emerged a key issue for those operating electric vans, whether that means finding power as part of a planned route that exceeds the vehicle’s range, overnight to ensure a van is ready for the following day, or in a part of the country where charging facilities are scarce. Many fleet operators can see the potential for sharing their infrastructure on this basis
Vauxhall opens order for new long range Mokka Electric
New Mokka Electric Long Range is powered by a new, more efficient and quieter 115kW (156hp) electric motor producing 260Nm of torque. The next-generation 54kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery is comprised of 102 cells in 17 modules and features a liquid cooling system. A heat pump and a focus on efficiency helps the Mokka Electric Long Range to achieve 4.0-4.1 miles per kWh (WLTP Combined Low-High), resulting in a range of up to 252 miles (WLTP).
Fleets switch to electric SUVs as van alternative
We’re at a moment in time when, having largely completed electrification of their car fleets, many businesses are looking to their light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and wanting to complete a similar transformation. However, for some, the current e-van choices available present some operational issues for their needs, especially around range and payload capabilities.
EV report highlights budgeting difficulties
The fact is that EV SMR is a relatively new management discipline and, in most cases, setting an accurate budget is a long way from easy. There are few or no historical precedents and even the most well-informed experts have limited data available. There are lots of projections around of varying value but limited real world experience. Leasing company fleets are in the same boat as everyone else when it comes to this.
bp pulse opens its most powerful EV charging hub in central London
The new Pimlico hub, connected by UK Power Networks Services, significantly boosts the ultra-fast EV charging offer in central London. Previously, only thirteen ultra-fast charge points were publicly available across all charge point operators in 2023.
DfT announces £70m boost for grid upgrades
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that the funding will cover some of the costs of upgrading the electricity grid at 10 motorway service areas to help ensure that ultra-rapid chargers will not have a long wait to connect to the grid due to capacity restraints.