David Watts

Paywalled, but the headline is fairly self-explanatory; the expected flattening of used ICE value in response to supply and recognition of less desirability of older BEV technology. This is what the EV 'revolution' is all about, as older vehicles become established in the market we learn how to adapt to using them; as with mobile phones, they might not be the new-and-shiny, but can be perfectly functional. - How do manufacturers support these older models software, and does it matter; possibly increasingly so with the latest models and subscription features? - Does decreasing range really matter, and how is this reflected in the value? Although a used ICE can still travel as far as it did when new, they tend to travel less, but older EVs may restrict a subset of owners who do need access to this capability. - How does the availability of models affect the nuance in demand and retention - looking at the traditional, large-engined estate cars that are possibly making a come-back to replace SUVs? My biggest question is going to be whether the technology determines annual mileage, or will we see more homogonisation and nuance in how vehicles are used as the stock biases increasing towards electrified, and then electric?

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September saw plugin EVs take 29.4% share of the #UK auto market, up from 23.4% year on year. Both BEVs and PHEVs grew volume YoY, by 24% and 32% respectively. Overall auto volume was 275,239 units, up 1% YoY, but still far below pre-2020 seasonal norms (350,000+). #Tesla was the leading BEV brand in September. September’s sales tally saw combined plugin EVs take 29.4% share of the UK auto market, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 20.5%, and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 8.9%. These compare with YoY shares of 23.4% combined, 16.6% #BEV and 6.8% #PHEV. Against broader auto volumes which were barely flat YoY, both BEVs and PHEVs grew volume at a healthy clip. BEVs grew 24.4% to a new record high of 56,387 units, whilst PHEVs grew 32.1% to 24,468 units. Meanwhile, HEVs were essentially flat YoY, diesels saw a 7% volume decline, and petrol-only vehicles lost substantial volume of 9.3%, dropping share from 55.7% to 50.1% YoY. Best Selling BEV Brands Tesla was yet again the best selling BEV brand in September, with the Model Y leading with 5,799 units, enough to put it in joint 4th place in the overall auto market. Year to date, the Model Y is the 9th best selling automobile overall (and by far the best selling BEV), with 23,485 units registered. #Volkswagen took a surprise 2nd place in the September BEV rankings, a much stronger performance than typical (the brand is only in the 6th spot year to date). #BMW, conversely, slipped back to the 12th spot, despite being 2nd in the year-to-date rankings. In both cases, these volume swings are likely more to do with irregular shipments of right–hand-drive units arriving in the UK than fundamental changes in demand. #Mercedes took the third spot in September, unchanged from its position in August. We don’t have enough resolution in UK BEV model sales data to definitively identify every newly launching model, but can identify a few. The most significant debuts in volume terms are the new #Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, which registered 93 units and 744 units in September, respectively. Polestar looks like it may have a big hit on its hands with the 4. These are remarkable launch volumes for a vehicle which starts from £59,995. Let’s see what the sustainable volume is going forwards. The new #Porsche Macan sold its first ~113 units into the UK in September, and will surely grow from here, with the UK market having outsized weighting for the Porsche brand (the Taycan sold 288 UK units in September). The #MG Cyberster Roadster made its first UK customer deliveries in September, with a healthy 70 units registered — very strong for a vehicle like this, in not-the-most-practical segment. The new MG is the only open-top BEV two-seat sports car on the market. 

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Fleet electrification is more achievable—and cost-effective—than many think. VEV’s real-world insights show a lower Total Cost of Ownership for EVs in many cases, with up to 60% fuel savings and 40% maintenance savings compared to diesel fleets. Ready to see the facts for yourself? Emma Durham and George Hobbs dive into the data to show how electrification can lead to long-term savings. 📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4hA1Pjh #EV #FleetManagement #NetZero #FleetElectrification

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https://lnkd.in/eVmwC4Ss Some good news about EV's. This really comprehensive report by Ayvens consultants puts the UK as 10th for EV adoption out of 47 countries. And the UK EV market is ranked as mature - only just, but it's there. After all the bad things the politicians were saying during the recent election about technology in this country that's got to be a plus. Also it rates the Total Cost of Ownership for an EV as now on a par with an ICE vehicle. Well worth a read to get a wider perspective of EV fleets around the world, including our own. #electricvehicles #fleetmanagement #decarbonisation

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🚗🔌 What’s Going On with London's Congestion Charge? 🔋❗ I was surprised but I wasn't at the same time to hear the recent announcement that London will extend the £15-a-day congestion charge (£15 a Day!!! Come on) to all zero-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), starting from Christmas Day 2025. This decision has brought a lot criticism and got me thinking – are we taking away all incentives for people to go electric while simultaneously pushing for an EV transition? (I mean yes there are loads of reason to go EV but for some people they need a little extra push). For years, the shift towards EVs has been encouraged as a key strategy to combat air pollution and reduce carbon emissions. Incentives, such as exemptions from congestion charges, have played a significant role in making this transition attractive for many Londoners. However, this new policy seems to contradict the goal of promoting greener transportation. Am I missing something here? (Happy to be wrong but its getting silly) Is there a deeper strategy behind this move that justifies the removal of these incentives? Or is this a step backward in our efforts to encourage sustainable travel? I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives on this. Let's discuss! Are we heading in the right direction with this new policy? 🤔💬 #EVs #SustainableTransport #LondonCongestionCharge #CleanAir #EnvironmentalPolicy #ElectricVehicles #SadiqKhan

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Next Stop, Net Zero: The Route to a Decarbonised UK Bus Market This week Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) launched its Bus Policy Paper on how we can achieve a 100% zero emission bus market. Zero emission bus registrations are increasing and represented 45% of the single and double-decker market in 2023. The UK is a global leader in zero emission buses and has for many years developed both ultra-low and zero emission bus technologies for the UK market and for export. With the support of government funding, some UK operators have been deploying ultra-low and zero emission buses since 2009, the majority being hybrid diesel and, more recently, electric and hydrogen fuel cell. Between 1990 and 2021, Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHGs) from buses decreased by 53% and accounted for just 2% of overall transport emissions. Improvements in environmental performance have been delivered in the context of a recent decline in overall bus registrations. Bus journeys were greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with a decline in passenger journeys as a result of lockdown restrictions and working from home policies. Additionally, many operators delayed their purchases of new buses until Clean Air Zone (CAZ) criteria had been specified in many towns and cities. More broadly, bus ridership has been in steady decline for many years, reducing revenue for bus operators and restricting their ability to purchase new vehicles. This has increased their reliance on subsidies in the form of grants such as the Bus Services Operators Grant (BSOG), to maintain the level of service provided. The bus sector is well positioned to deliver full decarbonisation, and soon – but only if operators are given the incentives and infrastructure support they need to transition away from legacy vehicles. SMMT has identified the route to ensure the next stop is net zero: • Government should urgently bring forward its promised national charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure strategy for HDVs, covering both depots and public locations – with plans for grid connections and shared infrastructure. • Certainty on the end of sale date for new, non-zero emission buses, identifying all appropriate enabling conditions in consultation with industry • Government review of funding in collaboration with local authorities, bus operators and manufacturers. • Government should commission research on charging infrastructure at bus depots to maximise space and eliminate the need for a reduction in fleet size. • Government support for consistent implementation of local planning policy to ensure a smooth and efficient process for installing infrastructure.

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🚗⚡️🔋 The #electricvehicle revolution is accelerating, and the UK is gearing up for a greener future! A seminal report by RECHARGE UK sheds light on the vast #skillsopportunity within the EV sector, outlining practical recommendations for action. 🛠️ What's the current scene? Skilled roles abound as stakeholders from manufacturers to local authorities ramp up their game. The question is, do we have the necessary skills? 🚀 The future looks electric! With an estimated need for thousands of skilled workers in the next few years, it's a race to train the workforce of tomorrow. #EVIndustry growth won't wait, so neither can our efforts to upskill! 🌱 RECHARGE UK's insights call for: ✨ Outreach programmes to ignite Net Zero passion. ✨ Centres of Excellence to battle local skills gaps. ✨ Upskilling avenues to bolster the current workforce. ✨ Reskilling initiatives to aid transition from other sectors. 🙌 Industry and government must join hands to ensure the #EVsector thrives, offering robust training and educational platforms. It's about time we turned the tide towards a #NetZero economy, with a workforce ready to propel us there. 🤝 From policy-makers to educators, all are summoned to a collective push for skills. It's a clarion call for action - let's gear up for an electrifying future! 📢 To the stakeholders already making strides, keep charging ahead! Want to be part of the change? Reach out, engage and help shape the workforce that will drive the #GreenRevolution forward. #EVCharging #GreenJobs #NetZeroFuture

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Last week Field Dynamics Consultancy released an update of their excellent "On-Street Charging Report" which looks at the availability of local charging for those who do not have access to off-street parking (using Zapmap data). The report moves the debate on from a generic "40% of households don't have a driveway" and "Greater London has all the on-street chargers" to a much more nuanced understanding of the position at a local authority level, from which real action can be taken, progress measured and critically enabling many more people to switch to electric with local charging support. The report shows for all counties across GB: ⚡ On-Street households: % of households that do not have a driveway ⚡ Coverage: % of these On-Street households who have a public charger within 5 minutes walk ⚡ Density: Number of public chargers available per covered households (New measure in this report) At a GB level, the report shows that there has been steady progress with Coverage of 24.8% ie. On-Street households with at least one charger within 5 minutes walk, and an average Density of 2 public chargers per "covered" hhld. This is up from 17.2% and 1.6 respectively in 2022 report. The report shows much more detail, including the difference in provision at local level: ⚡ At the top end there is good growth and 6.6% of local authorities have greater than 60% coverage (up from 4.6% in 2022) ⚡ However, there are still more than 50% of local authorities which have less than 20% coverage (up from 77% in 2022) This highlights the work that is needed. The good news is that the rollout of new (on-street) chargers via the government funded LEVI scheme, with tens of thousands expected over the next 12-18 months, should result in a significant shift in these numbers. A summary of the report can be found here - with links to the interactive map (check out your area!) and download of full report. https://lnkd.in/erTTD2Gg Craig Stephenson Charlie Gilbert Jade Edwards Ben Allan #evcharging #goelectric #evinfrastructure #evs

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INDUSTRY NEWS: EV's drive car registration growth! Recent figures published by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) paint an interesting picture of the UK vehicle market. EVs are continuing to increase their market share against ICE vehicles, with PHEVs in particular proving to be a huge growth area. Whilst EV uptake may have slowed against expected levels, the data shows that EVs are the driving force behind the increase in registrations, possibly due to a culmination of several factors like the ZEV mandate causing manufacturers to impose EV quotas on large orders and the increase in fleet usage being fuelled by BiK tax benefits. Despite this and a 6.5% increase in used car transactions so far this year, warnings of continued volatility in the new car market may still dampen consumer appetite for vehicles. Commentary by Matt Ashton. Sources: Fleet News, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) #ev #electricvehicle #repairer #automotive #motorindustry #vehiclerepairs #credithire #carinsurance

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Who’s going to clean up the donkeys (read: absolutely integral tools to businesses up and down the UK)? We are! Check out Mark Tisshaw's fantastic piece in Autocar on how we're spearheading the charge by converting trusty, diesel vans into lower emission hybrids (or fully electric). It's not just a makeover; it's a rebirth! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/efH6RTY4 #Retrofit #ElectricRetrofit #SustainableDriving #ICE2EV #ConvertElectric #Conversion #GreenInvestment #ElectricVehicle #ElectricVan #RenewableEnergy #ClimateChange #EnergySecurity #LowCarbon #ZEVMandate #ClimateCrisis #NetZero #GreenEconomy #GreenDeal #EV #Vans #ICE2EV #RebornElectric #FleetDecarbonisation

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Sales of some hybrid cars will be allowed up to 2035, the UK Government has confirmed. https://loom.ly/DHFpPQ0 Whilst sales of petrol and diesel vehicles are set to be phased out from 2030 with the recent popularity of hybrids amongst #fleet #drivers, will this give fleets the breathing space they need to fully transition? #fleet #insurance

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Eleven major auto manufacturers, including Ford, BMW, and Toyota, are pressing the UK Government for more support to hit the ambitious targets set by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. With the goal of reaching 80% BEV sales by 2030, manufacturers face heavy fines if targets aren’t met, which has led to aggressive EV price cuts and supply limitations for ICE vehicles. The Challenge: Despite BEV sales rising 13.2% this year, private EV adoption remains slow, with private BEV purchases down 6.3%. Right now, fleets—benefiting from favorable tax policies—drive 77% of new BEV registrations, leaving private buyers without similar incentives to make the switch. OEMs’ Proposed Solutions: - Reduce VAT on new BEVs to 10% for three years. - Lower Vehicle Tax for BEVs. - Equalise VAT on public charging to the 5% rate for home charging. These moves aim to stimulate private adoption, increase BEV affordability, and enhance long-term residual values, which have dropped by 60% over the past 22 months. Electric Vans: A Bigger Hurdle: Light commercial vehicle (LCV) adoption is lagging, with BEV sales under half of 2024 targets. To drive uptake in the eLCV segment, OEMs are calling for more support, including van-specific charging infrastructure and enhanced fiscal incentives. evtrip.net’s Role in the Solution: With smart, cost-effective EV charging solutions, especially slow charging options ideal for fleets and urban private users, evtrip.net can be pivotal in enabling the UK’s ZEV targets by making BEV ownership more accessible. #ElectricVehicles #EVCharging #SustainableFuture #SmartMobility #evtripnet #ZEVMandate #GreenFleet #Electrification

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HM Revenue & Customs quarterly review of advisory #fuel rates (AFRs) brings bad news for #electric #companycar #drivers with a 1 pence per mile cut in the advisory electricity rate (AER). #fleetoperations #fleetmanagement #electricvehicles #expenses Fleet News Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP)

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75% of fleets unaffected by moving ICE ban date Research reveals that only 1-in-4 vehicle fleets reacted to the Conservative government’s postponement of the 2030 ICE ban to 2035, meaning 75% of fleets have continued to work towards the 2030 deadline. The new Labour UK Government has reaffirmed the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-fuelled cars, marking a significant step towards combatting climate change and promoting sustainability. This policy aims to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. When the Conservatives delayed the ban in September 2023, pushing it back five years, 360 research revealed that the majority of car fleets did not plan to react, with just one-in-four indicating that they would continue to allow ICE cars right up to the 2035 deadline.  Fast forward almost one year, and 40% of fleets are predicting growth of their EV car fleet, citing greater certainty of BIK tax as the primary driver for cash takers to return to running company cars. The certainty and clarity that the change delivers is expected to stimulate investment in UK EV infrastructure, including charging stations, and encourage innovation within the automotive sector. It also sends a clear signal to car manufacturers to prioritise the development and production of electric and hybrid models. The reinstated ban is also likely to influence consumer behaviour, increasing demand for EVs and fostering a greener economy. The revision, which only mentions cars, not vans, was not included in the King’s Speech, but the DfT is expected to release more details soon, especially as sales of electric vans have been dropping year-on-year. SMMT data shows that just 1476 battery-powered electric vans were sold in June 2024, while 30,803 diesel vans were purchased. That compares to 1775 and 32,070, respectively, in June 2023. Likewise, clarity on the status of plug-in and ‘mild’ hybrid EVs will also be required. The UK government ZEV Mandate states that at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by manufacturers in 2024 have to be zero emissions. Critics have expressed concerns about the readiness of infrastructure and the potential costs to consumers, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Nonetheless, the Labour Government emphasises that this decisive action is essential, for ensuring a sustainable future, addressing climate change, and positioning the UK as a leader in green technology.

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New data from The AA reveals the percentage of #EV breakdowns caused by running out of power reached a record low last month💡 Just 1.4% of the EV callouts they received in June were due to batteries having limited or no charge. Rosario Surace, EV Charging Specialist at Drax Electric Vehicles ⚡, comments:    "This is a fantastic step towards instilling the confidence needed for people and businesses to switch to electric, as well as debunking one of the biggest myths about EVs: EVs can't go the distance.    As we can see from this new figure, EV breakdowns due to limited or no charge on the batteries is becoming fewer and far between. And this is because, like with any new advancement, the technology is getting better and better.   I've—along with my co-driver Naomi Jane Nye, Head of Sales at Drax Electric Vehicles ⚡—have recently taken part in the EV Rally 2024, where we witnessed first hand the real capabilities of these cars and vehicles. And having travelled 1400+miles over 5 days, it's safe to say, EVs have what it takes to go the distance.   I'm looking forward to seeing this percentage decrease as we progress over the next couple of years." Read the full story via the link in the comments👇

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‼️News just in‼️ 👉 Looks like the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars will revert to the 2030 deadline, according to Fleet News ️⚡️So important for fleets to start planning for vehicle decarbonisation now Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ek9uuftB #electricvehicles #salarysacrifice #fleetmanagement

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Have we overslept on the electrification trend? 💡 That's the question our Divisional Director, Claire Robertson, reflects on in this week's Insider Media blog. Touching on the challenges car manufacturers are currently dealing with alongside ways to boost the UK's BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) production, you can read what she says here - https://lnkd.in/eVx82bHv #electrification #construction #ukautomotivesector

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