A new campaign which aims to help independent garages capitalise on the rapidly growing hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) market, has been launched by Garage Services Online. The ‘EV Edge’ initiative aims to help independent garages that have invested in EV skills and equipment become the go-to choice for the MOT, servicing and repairs of hybrid and EVs.
Hankook is supplying its iON evo SUV tyres for the new Cupra Tavascan. Specially developed for all-electric vehicles, this summer tyre has been developed to match the handling characteristics of the SUV, according to the tyremaker. The Hankook premium tyre, with the “+” marking for original equipment, is available for the Cupra Tavascan as a mixed tyre in the 19-inch variants and as an all-position tyre in the 20- and 21-inch sizes. The 21-inch tyre also comes in a special sport design, identifiable by the notation “e-Performance” on the sidewall. In keeping with its sporty tuning, it offers even more traction and shorter braking distances thanks to its high-grip mixture. Hankook also offers a 19-inch all-season tyre, designed specifically for electric vehicles, as original equipment for the model.
Fifty-eight per cent of fleet managers expect to implement artificial intelligence (AI) within the next five years, according to a new global study released by Webfleet to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The research, commissioned by Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, was conducted across 15 countries with 1,800 fleet managers participating to provide insights into the current and future landscape of fleet digitisation. The findings indicate a growing commitment to increasing investment in digital fleet solutions, with AI and electric vehicle (EV) technologies expected to play a central role.
An electric vehicle (EV) ride and drive event is the main attraction of the next member meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).
Held at the UK headquarters of Arval in Swindon on Thursday 26 September, it will include models from BYD, Hyundai and others, as well as a selection of used vehicles.
Webfleet has achieved a new milestone by breaking the Guinness World Records title for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge, covering 569.64 miles. The Bridgestone fleet management solution accomplished this EV benchmark in a Bridgestone-shod Ford Mustang Mach-E with sponsored drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, supported by co-pilot Richard Parker of Webfleet. Independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS data, and battery level information from Webfleet meticulously documented the record attempt.
An analysis by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) highlights “a postcode lottery for EV skills” across the UK, the Institute says. The IMI’s latest EV TechSafe certification data shows that 58,800 technicians are now qualified to work on electric vehicles, representing 24 per cent of the UK automotive workforce. Based on the forecast increase in EVs on UK roads, the IMI is currently predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031. The gap is expected to reach 16,000 by 2035.
After reporting triple-digit growth in its electric vehicle and automotive business in China during the first half of 2024, Eurogrip Laminations (EGLA) announced that it has agreed a partnership with China’s Hixih Rubber Industry Group. Italy-based EGLA turned over some 836 million euros in 2023.
A 19-year-old apprentice working at Oldfields Garage in Leominster is thought to be the youngest technician in the UK to have been awarded the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Level 3 qualification, having completed the course at Delphi Academy in Warwick.
London-based cleantech start-up, The Tyre Collective, has announced a partnership with electric delivery company, HIVED, to advance research in capturing and reducing particle emissions from tyres. Starting in August, The Tyre Collective’s fourth-generation prototype device (TC04) will be installed on five of HIVED’s all-electric delivery vans in London.
The BMW Group’s latest generation of electric vehicles will depend on the production of powerful high-voltage batteries. As a result, BMW is expanding significantly its production network for the next generation of high-voltage batteries. The company is applying the principle of “local for local” production to increase resilience. “Close connection of battery production with vehicle production is part of our strategy,” explains Markus Fallböhmer, senior vice president of Battery Production at BMW AG.
A new powder coatings technology providing improved electrical protection for electric vehicle (EV) battery systems has been developed by AkzoNobel’s Resicoat brand. The company says there is growing demand in the EV market for coatings with a high dielectric strength to help increase the safety of battery systems. The company’s solution allows customers to reach the required film thickness with a single spray, also boosting efficiency and productivity. Available in China, the new technology is suitable for battery system parts such as cooling plates, side plates and battery covers (enclosures).
Following a recent parts catalogue expansion, Arnold Clark Autoparts claims to have the UK market’s largest range of aftermarket electric vehicle parts, including popular Tesla components. The UK hit its millionth EV registered in January 2024, according to SMMT figures, and Arnold Clark Autoparts has strategically enhanced its inventory to cover more of the market. It says its comprehensive range offers EV owners and repair shops access to high-quality, affordable parts.
The UK new car market has hit the half year million motors mark for the first time in five years, after new car registrations rose in June by a modest 1.1 per cent to reach 179,263 units, according to new figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). As a result, so far in 2024, 1,006,763 new cars have been registered, up 6.0 per cent on the previous year but still down -20.7 per cent on 2019.
The July report from Startline Used Car Tracker says that six out of 10 people (61 per cent) think that the UK should impose tariffs on Chinese electric car makers following similar moves by the US and EU. The report shows that 43 per cent believe we need to protect existing UK car manufacturers, 21 per cent that Chinese car makers are subsidised by their government and their pricing is unfair, and 12 per cent that we should impose a tariff that levels the market.
The European Union is planning to impose additional import tariffs of up to 38.1 per cent on Chinese-produced electric vehicles (EV) effective July 2024. Leading Chinese EV-makers BYD Co., Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd. and SAIC Motor Corp Ltd cooperated with the investigation and so received bespoke rates. Specifically, BYD imports will be charged 17.4 per cent, Geely 20 per cent and SAIC 38.1 per cent. All others will be charged 38.1 per cent.
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