Next month sees introduction of the Kia Sportage PHEV model, the latest in the new Sportage line-up. Its pure electric driving range is 43 miles, enough for the average daily commute without using its 265ps 1.6 litre petrol engine, and that gives it a 25gkm emissions figure attracting just 8% BIK while it’s priced from £38,395 for its four trim levels. Petrol and diesel continues its upward … [Read more...]
Government betrayal of ev buyers
The boss of one of Britain’s biggest car leasing businesses has criticised the government for slashing electric vehicle grants at the very time they’re making a crucial environmental and economic difference. Andy Alderson, founder and CEO of online leasing giant Vanarama, was left gobsmacked when the government announced yesterday that it would cut the Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG) by 60 … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 October
The latest RAC Report on Motoring shows that 49% of drivers commuted five days a week before the pandemic but just 32% expect to in the future. In addition, three-in-10 drivers (30%) now expect to commute between one and four days a week with the average number of commuting days in future standing at three per week, down from four before Covid-19 hit. Petrol prices have hit 142.94p a … [Read more...]
Tradelines 28 July
North Wales Motor Company, Llandudno has added Kia to its Honda new car franchises. It also services and sells used Lotus Cars and will run the Korean car operation from a former Peugeot site on Argyll Road, Llandudno. Gravells, of West Wales, has expanded into England. The booming Kia business is the sixth outlet by the family and will operate out of Hereford. The number of drivers expecting … [Read more...]
HMRC is out of step with modern cars, say fleets
The Association of Fleet Professionals and the BVRLA have jointly called upon Government to ensure that the Advisory Electricity Rate for electric vehicles is fit-for-purpose. The industry bodies share concerns that the current 4 pence per mile rate, which remains unchanged since 2018, is no longer reflective of real-world conditions, and have written to HMRC to make the following … [Read more...]
Fleet emissions sink to record low
The BVRLA has published its latest Quarterly Leasing Survey showing that average CO2 emissions for members’ new car registrations have fallen below 100g/km for the first time ever. During the Q4-2020 reporting period, average CO2 emissions were 98g/km compared to the average UK car fleet of 114.2g/km, highlighting the green credentials of the vehicle leasing sector. BVRLA rental and leasing … [Read more...]
Company cars’ confusing charts
As another lockdown leaves company car activity stalled in suspended animation, a new BVRLA report analyses the market and the long-term trends that will drive its destiny. With all but essential journeys banned and new car registrations slumping to a thirty-year low, the company car sector has entered 2021 as it spent much of 2020, in an artificial position. The BVRLA Company Car Report puts … [Read more...]
Bumpy road to low carbon future, say experts
The UK Government’s drive towards electric cars and a low carbon future faces a bumpy journey, say experts. Car-makers said they are committed to them and invested billions but the challenge of the next nine years is “immense”, according to Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. "We are pleased, therefore, to see Government accept the importance of hybrid transition technologies – which drivers are … [Read more...]
Fleets hold key to UK ev drive
The fleet sector’s pivotal role in delivering zero-emission road transport will see it responsible for 75% of battery electric vehicles on UK roads by 2025. To demonstrate the huge commitment that its members are making to decarbonise, the BVRLA has launched its new Plug in Pledge, which shows the rental, leasing and fleet operator sector owning and operating around 900,000 BEVs within five … [Read more...]
Fleets welcome Clean Air Zone moratorium
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Associatio has welcomed the Government’s decision to postpone the implementation of Clean Air Zones until 2021. BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said, “This is a very sensible decision in the current circumstances. It gives some temporary respite for businesses and individuals trying to come to terms with the current health crisis and gives the … [Read more...]