Category Archives: Electric Vehicles

Articles and Posts relating to Electric Vehicles or any kind

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The UK is on track to run out of mechanics qualified to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, according to a cross-party think-tank. The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to work on EVs, which could drive up servicing costs and potentially leave some drivers unable to have their cars maintained properly. The number of EVs on the UK’s roads is increasing rapidly and recently reached 1 million. However, the number of qualified technicians is not keeping pace with the growth in EVs, according to SMF analysis. The SMF report highlights industry estimates that by 2027, there will not be enough qualified mechanics to maintain all of the UK’s EVs. By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF is calling on the government to support efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs. These skills are significantly different to those required to maintain internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Many ICE mechanics receive informal on-the-job training, but the SMF warned that since EV maintenance involves working with high-voltage electricity, that approach could be inappropriate and even dangerous. “Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed,” the report said. The SMF is calling for reforms to allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund EV technician training.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF report is based on interviews with mechanics and technicians and industry experts. It highlights concerns that the skills gap could raise the cost of repairs or reduce the quality of repairs, which could decrease consumers’ willingness to switch to EVs. The SMF highlights the limited attention paid to vehicle technicians’ skills in government plans to decarbonise transport. Neither the Department for Education nor the Department for Transport has examined how growing EV uptake will impact vehicle technicians or developed policies to support workforce growth.

The report was sponsored by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The SMF retains complete editorial independence of its publications.
Source: IMI modelling based on SMMT high EV uptake scenario

A key challenge identified in the SMF research is attracting new entrants to the sector because of what industry leaders describe as an “image problem” around car maintenance work. Perceptions of the work as dirty, hard and male-dominated deter some potential recruits from pursuing a career as a mechanic, the SMF found. The SMF recommends that the UK avoid the looming skills crunch by focusing on recruiting young people and improving incentives for upskilling among the current workforce. This could include launching a green careers campaign to attract young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs, developing a medium-term plan to upskill technicians, and releasing Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training.

Recommendations to ensure that the UK averts the looming skills crunch, are as follows:

  • Improve the attractiveness of the industry. Launch an attractive green careers campaign to get young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs
  • Develop a medium-term credible plan to upskill technicians. As part of this strategic planning, manufacturers, industry bodies and training providers should develop a clear accredited training route.
  • Release Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training. Key low-carbon industries, including EV repairs, should be central to reform of the Apprenticeship Levy reform to ensure the development of a pipeline of green skills to deliver Net Zero.
  • Introduce a mandatory license to operate in the EV repair and maintenance industry.  Given the potential hazards involved in working with EVs, a formal qualification should be required, much as, for example, gas heating engineers are required by law to have a Gas Safe certification. 

Amy Norman, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation, said:

“Electric vehicles are the future of cheaper, greener motoring, but servicing and maintaining them requires a new skills and training. Britain is in real danger of running short of the skilled mechanics and technicians needed to keep EVs on the roads. 

“More needs to be done to ensure more workers are getting the skills and training needed to keep Britain on the road to Net Zero. That means better policies to support skills and training, including more creative use of Apprenticeship Levy funds.  

“It also means doing more to attract recruits into this vital trade. The men and women who train to keep millions of EVs running smoothly should be seen as green heroes helping Britain speed towards a cleaner future.

“The transition to EVs is a great example of the opportunities that come from the shift to a low-carbon economy – with the right policies in place, the transition in driving can unlock thousands of high-skill blue-collar jobs for current and future generations.”

You can read the report in full here

 

Why Electric Cars Are For More Than Just Driving

Electric vehicles have a lot of perks. They are good for the environment and they are good for your wallet. There are also a lot of other perks that come along with electric vehicles aside from the fact that they are changing the world for the better. Here are the reasons why switching to an electric car is a good idea beyond battling climate change. 

Power Your Home

One major perk to getting an electric car is the fact that you can use your car to power your home. There are chargers that go from vehicle to home in order for your car battery to supply electricity to your home. It is a way that a lot of people are saving money on energy costs. Some supermarkets allow you to charge your car for free and you can then go home and plug your house into your car in order to source your power from your vehicle. 

You are basically powering your house for free and saving hundreds if not thousands of pounds a year in bills. 

Get a Tax Credit

A lot of governments around the world are providing a tax credit to those who switch to an electric car. In some places, governments are offering to pay a driver’s down payment as an incentive to switch to electric. In all, some buyers are saving thousands of dollars on their car and are getting it for cheaper than the sticker price. 

Federal governments have been giving electric car drivers refunds on the installation of electric car chargers. When filing their yearly taxes, drivers have been able to get an ample tax refund because they have switched to electric. 

No Maintenance

Since electric cars run on a battery, there is no engine. In place of an engine in the front of the car there is another trunk where you can store more items. The lack of engine means that there is no need for maintenance. There is no oil to change, fan belts to fix, or transmission to worry about. These reasons are very high-cost saving decisions to get you to switch. 

Most car batteries for electric vehicles last about ten years before they need to be replaced or start to have difficulty holding their charge. That’s ten years of virtually no car maintenance to worry about. 

Electric Cars Are Safer

Due to the construction of electric cars, they are safer for passengers. Because of the need to keep a safe distance between those riding in the car and the battery, electric cars have an aluminum plate around the battery that protects passengers in the event of a collision. Also, because the car has a massive battery and no engine, the risk of an explosion or anything flammable occuring in an accident is virtually eliminated keeping everyone in the vehicle more safe than if they were riding in a gas-powered vehicle. 

Conclusion

With so many non-environmental reasons for switching to an electric vehicle, the choice to switch is a pretty one easy to make.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future

If Alec Issigonis could design the classic Mini again today, the iconic small car would have an electric motor. The original was launched in 1959, created during an oil crisis, and based on the idea of saving fuel and transporting four occupants and their luggage in the smallest possible footprint. Today, MINI remains connected to the design principles of Issigonis with its creative use of space and driving fun. The MINI Recharged project is an opportunity to continue telling the story of the classic Mini in the 21st century, in a sustainable way.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
MINI Recharged Team Oxford.

 The electric conversion of classic Minis combines traditional values with future-oriented technology. The idea was born even before the brand had the MINI Electric on offer (electricity consumption combined:17.6 – 15.2 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km.). A one-off, classic Mini Electric was built in 2018 and presented at the New York Auto Show. The reactions were so positive that a dedicated team from MINI Plant Oxford set to work and developed the plan to make a corresponding offer available to customers who own a classic Mini.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
MINI Recharged – classic Mini electrification.

To experience traditional go-kart handling with an emission-free drivetrain, the original petrol engine of the classic Mini is replaced by a modern electric drive. During the conversion, MINI Recharged makes reversible changes to the substance of the vehicle. Careful handling of the car’s historical heritage is an important part of the concept. This makes it possible to restore the classic Mini to its original condition at a later date. During the conversion, the original engine of each vehicle is marked and stored so it can be reused in the event of a future retrofit of the classic Mini.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
The classic styling is retained with a modern styling in keeping with it’s 60s look

Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI Brand said, “What the project team are developing preserves the character of the classic Mini and enables its fans to enjoy its all-electric performance. With MINI Recharged, we are connecting the past with the future of the brand.”

The MINI Recharged project means a vehicle’s life can be extended in a sustainable way. A classic Mini can now be given a new lease of life, accompanying its owner into the future, whilst maintaining its much-loved heritage. The drive is a modern electric motor that generates a continuous output of up to 90 kW and accelerates the electrified classic Mini from zero to 100 km/h in approximately nine seconds. The energy is supplied by a high-voltage battery, which can be charged with an output of up to 6.6 kW and enables a predicted range of around 160 kilometers. In addition, every electrified classic Mini from MINI Recharged receives the characteristic central instrument cluster, which now displays the drive temperature, the selected gear, range, and speed.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
Modern technology in a classic form

MINI Recharged fans gain a whole new driving experience; a silent drivetrain with instant acceleration and the ability to enter the electric or low-emission driving zones of many large cities, otherwise inaccessible with a combustion engine. For example, the electric classic Mini can drive in Oxford Street or Piccadilly Circus in London, without the driver having to pay congestion-charge. In addition, the classic conversion does not need a new registration.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
The classic Smiths Gauges are retained for interior styling

MINI Recharged fits seamlessly into the brand’s future strategy, which also includes the aspect of circular economy. For this project, no new vehicles are being produced, instead, they are being created from much-loved, existing cars. It allows a classic Mini to begin a second, more sustainable life. Today, one in five new MINI models has an electrified drive. Now, the MINI Recharged project will allow the brand’s classic vehicles to become an experience of the future, whilst still bringing joy from the past.

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
Subtle styling for both speedo and range gauges

The bespoke upcycling of the classic Mini is carried out exclusively in the United Kingdom. Each converted vehicle is given an individual number, making it unique.

Sebastian Beuchel, Head of MINI Global Brand Management said, “Individuality also plays an important role with MINI Recharged. Unique classic Mini models have always been created, including true works of art on wheels. That’s why future collaborations are also planned as part of the MINI Recharged programme, allowing well-known artists to express their creativity with specially designed classic Mini models.”

Recharged and electrifying: the classic Mini launches into the future
Electrification in progress at the Oxford plant

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

ZipCharge, today at COP26, revealed its first game-changing portable Electric Vehicle (EV) charger, the Go. By bringing the possibility of home charging to all, the Go removes a common barrier to EV ownership that exists across the world. In the UK alone, 8.5 million or 40% of car-owning households don’t have designated off-street parking.

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26
ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

The Go is the first element of a global portable EV charging platform that combines hardware, software, machine learning and innovative ownership models to bring affordable, practical EV charging to more people than ever. ZipCharge Go also creates an intelligent energy management platform that provides flexibility and resilience for the national power grid.

Realising that widespread EV adoption would be hampered by the inability to charge near or at home, ZipCharge co-founders Richie Sibal and Jonathan Carrier identified and developed a solution. Using their decades of experience in automotive electronics systems engineering and product development gained at cutting-edge businesses like McLaren Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, Gordon Murray Group and LEVC – their answer is the Go. Now well into the development phase ZipCharge is on track to deliver the first models to customers in Q4 2022.

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

ZipCharge Co-founder Jonathan Carrier “We’re delighted to be launching the Go at COP26, it’s the perfect place to introduce ZipCharge to the world. In light of the Government’s recent Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener manifesto announcement, never before has the automotive industry had cause to innovate so rapidly to help us reach a low carbon future. One of the key barriers to wider uptake of EVs is charging anxiety; the inability to charge near or at home. ZipCharge removes that hurdle and in doing so, will democratise EV ownership.”

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

Events such as COP26, the United Nation’s Climate Conference, are crucial to establishing robust plans to achieving the Paris Agreement. The ZipCharge team is cognisant of the fact that transport is a key contributor of greenhouse gases; the rapid adoption of EVs and innovation in automotive are key to ensuring the target of net zero is met.

The SMMT, the UK’s most influential motoring trade body, advises there are currently 600,000 plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) on the roads in the UK today – up 66% on 2019 figures – that could make use of the ZipCharge product. Mike Hawes, the Chief Executive of the SMMT, said earlier this year “In the same way people charge a phone overnight, people will want to charge at home when they park overnight.”

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

Distinctive design that combines simplicity and attention to detail

The ZipCharge Go sets a new standard in the visual appeal of EV chargers, with a purity of form and a modern, consumer-focused design concept. Developed by automotive and consumer product designers, the form conveys simplicity, strength and aesthetic integrity. The design balances form and function, respecting the engineering requirements, with a strong symmetry in its detail design. For example, the power panel concentrates charging functions and status LEDs in a single location to simplify access and makes the Go easier to use, which is mirrored by the scallop for the side grab handle. The front cover can also be personalised in a range of different colours and finishes, to match the exterior of your EV.

Compact and Convenient to Use Everyday

Engineered to the same standards as automotive electronics systems, the lightweight ZipCharge Go power bank is the size of a compact wheeled suitcase which can be charged at home or elsewhere using a standard domestic plug at a lower cost per kWh of electricity when compared to public charging. Using the retractable handle, users then wheel it to wherever they’ve parked their EV and plug it into the charging port. The port locks the charging cable in, securing the charger with the vehicle. ZipCharge Go provides up to 20 miles (32km)* of range, providing sufficient range for the average daily commute (in UK/EU), in a little over 30 mins and can then be neatly stored in the trunk / boot, or at home. ZipCharge Go can be used in all normal weather conditions like a normal fixed charge point.

High Performance Battery and Power Electronics

Packaged neatly inside are high energy density NMC lithium-ion battery cells and associated power electronics. A bi-directional AC-DC inverter enables two-way charging from the grid to the unit, and from the unit to the grid, so the power bank can be used to store cheap off-peak energy and feed it back into the grid at peak times. An integrated communications module supports OCPP compliant smart charging, over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, and together with geo-fencing and tracking technology provides enhanced security and peace-of-mind.

ZipCharge: Revolutionary Portable EV Charger, Allowing You to Charge Your Electric Car Anywhere, Revealed at COP26

ZipCharge Co-founder Richie Sibal “Our technical approach to engineering the Go as a lightweight, compact and safe charging solution, and then evolving that into an EV charging platform reflects our intention to combine the development of battery-based systems with the lowest future environmental impact possible.”

Sustainable Materials and Circular Approach

In engineering the Go, ZipCharge has focused on making the most of our planet’s limited resources, by doing more with less. The Go has been developed to be as energy efficient as possible with minimal losses. With learnings from automotive, the Go is designed for lightweight and performance. Like sports cars, ZipCharge uses an aluminium spaceframe to house major systems thereby improving the integrity and stiffness of the unit. This intelligent engineering extends to the consideration of the environmental impact of the materials and components. For example, the Go’s outer shell will be made from post-consumer recycled plastic. By the second half of this decade the ambition is for every ZipCharge charger to be manufactured from recycled materials.

Smart Connectivity to Lower the Cost of Charging and Save Money

Integrated 2G/4G connectivity enables users to remotely manage their Go charger via the ZipCharge mobile app to monitor the device and schedule charging events so the power pack is always ready for when they need it. Inbuilt Artificial Intelligence (AI) will enable ZipCharge to learn the users’ charging patterns and make schedule recommendations to optimise charging at off peak times, saving money and reducing the load on the grid.

Intelligent Energy Management to Support the Energy Network

Thanks to the bi-directional AC-DC inverter, the Go power bank becomes a local energy storage device that can arbitrage energy pricing through time of use rates and, when not in use, sell energy back to the grid at peak times. When hundreds of decentralised Go chargers are pooled together they form a virtual power plant that can supply demand side response services to help balance the grid, providing flexibility and resilience.

Affordability and Flexible Ownership to Democratise Charging for All

Like Peloton and other hardware pioneers, ZipCharge will offer its hardware-as-a-service. Chargers will be available to purchase outright or on subscription for as little as £49 (€57) a month. This is possible because ZipCharge has set the ambitious target to offer the Go at a price comparable to the fully installed cost of a level 2 home charge point, and significantly less than bi-directional home charge points currently on the market.

Basic software functionality will be available to everyone so they can plan and schedule charging, with the enhanced AI software functionality and insurance on subscription for a small monthly fee which, on average, will save the user £15-20 per month. Charging an EV at home has never been so convenient and affordable.

Cashing In: First Look at the EV Charger that gives you Rewards and Puts Your on the Road to Net Zero, Simply by Plugging In

The demand for convenient, intelligent, and incentivised electric vehicle charging has been met with the launch of the INDRA Smart Pioneer.

Unveiled to drivers for the first time at Fully Charged OUTSIDE 2021, INDRA’s Smart Pioneer signals a new standard for electric car charging. With a simple plugin and go message for users, the charger is an intuitively smart piece of kit, making it easy for drivers to shift their charging patterns to off-peak times, save money and earn rewards.

Indra Smart PRO at Fully Charged OUTSIDE
Indra Smart PRO at Fully Charged OUTSIDE

Coupling leading technology with reliability, the Smart Pioneer helps drivers to reduce their environmental impact. By managing their charging schedule and shifting up to 80% of energy use to off-peak tariffs, it can lessen the demand on the grid and see customer carbon emissions fall by an average of 20%.

Working in tandem with the ev.energy companion app, the rewards platform automatically taps into the times when energy is at its cheapest, and offers rewards back, meaning drivers can claim over £250* per year in energy savings, retail incentives and get involved in projects like local tree planting to help offset their carbon emissions.

Ben Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer at Indra, chatting to Matt Porter at Fully Charged OUTSIDE
Ben Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer at Indra, chatting to Matt Porter at Fully Charged OUTSIDE

Commenting on the benefits of smart charging sessions Indra’s founder and chief technology officer, Mike Schooling, comments:

“Households that drive a lot of miles on electricity, and charge mostly on electricity, need smart charging to avoid putting more demand on the UK’s power supply. We know that drivers are happy to shift their charging patterns to off-peak times, but they need peace of mind that it will be simple to do and reliable so that when they get in their car at 6 am for work they can get straight on the road.”

Continuing to break down charging barriers, INDRA’s latest product builds on the initial success of its Smart PRO. With an extended 5-year warranty, the Smart Pioneer also offers all the same benefits as the INDRA Smart PRO, including smart-scheduling, house-fuse protection, solar panel integration and advanced safety features – meaning EV drivers can guarantee safety and ultimate utilisation of renewable energy.

INDRA Founder and CTO Mike Schooling, ev energy and Robert Llewellyn with the INDRA Smart Pioneer
INDRA Founder and CTO Mike Schooling, ev energy and Robert Llewellyn with the INDRA Smart Pioneer

Schooling, further adds: “Electric car sales have surged to 17% market share and innovative, smart charging is key to greater uptake of electric cars so that number keeps rising. The launch of our Smart Pioneer is a step-change in the smart optimisation of EV chargers and will be the world’s first commercially available V1G product that rewards customers for being flexible with when they charge their EV at home.”

The Smart Pioneer collaboration between INDRA and ev.energy sees drivers getting rewards passed on from the V1G smart charging technology, something which is a world-first proposition from a charge point company.

V1G charging varies the time and rate at which an electric vehicle is charged to respond to surges in power demand. This type of smart charging can harness extra revenue, above a driver’s tariff savings, by accessing flexibility services across the distribution operator and National Grid.

The Smart Pioneer uses leading technology to aggregate thousands of devices to provide a local or national response to grid events and when revenue is generated, shares those back with drivers.

Nick Wooley, CEO at ev.energy, concludes: “We’ve admired INDRA for a really long time, they have a fantastic history of building great products so we’re really excited to be partnering to bring even more drivers cheaper, greener charging.”

For more information about the Indra Smart Pioneer, visit: https://www.indra.co.uk/smart-pioneer-ev-charger

Audi Shows commitment to electric future

In recent years, the electric car industry has boomed. From small family cars to larger SUVs, many car manufacturers have pledged to develop their electric car ranges in a bid to save the environment.

Why are EVs good?

According to research, electric cars are better for the environment as they emit fewer greenhouse gasses based on both production and electricity to keep them going. In fact, just one electric car can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.

Electric cars are so beneficial to the planet that the UK government has laid out a scheme to get more drivers to switch to electric. And they aren’t the only ones showing big commitments to the planet.

Which manufacturers make EVS?

One manufacturer leading the way in terms of moving towards a fully electric fleet is Audi.

Audi are showing big commitments to having an all-electric fleet in the future. Continuing to expand and innovate when it comes to their fleet, Audi are well on their way towards electrification and plan to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production by 2033.

As part of this, towards the end of 2019 Audi announced $12 billion of investment to accelerate the electrification of its vehicles and have recently announced a “Vorsprung 2030” electrification strategy.

In fact, this becomes abundantly clear in as the brand new A3 Sportback is, for the first time ever, available in petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. This shows that even the traditional Audi models are undergoing significant change during this ‘transition period’ into more sustainable forms of transportation.

More about Audi

Audi are a German car manufacturer and subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. Known as paving the way when it comes to technology, Audi are pioneers of their time.

Over the past 50 years, Audi’s slogan has been “Vorsprung durch Technik,” which translates to “Progress through Technology.” And with the commitment to an all-electric fleet underway, it’s clear that Audi are true to their word.

Currently, the most popular Audi EVs are the Audi e-tron, e-tron S and e-tron sportback, but following their recent release of the Audi A3 models, it’s predicted that Audi will soon be offering all its models as both fully electric and hybrid models.

What this means for the car industry

Despite a difficult year for the automotive industry, it’s encouraging to see major leaders in the field looking to the future and innovating.

With EVs predicted to become ever more popular, it’s an important step forward for both car manufacturers and the planet. Backed up by government initiatives and generous grants to help companies and individuals afford to make the switch, big things are in store for the EV industry.

UK’s largest electric vehicle and clean energy event set for new transport era

  • Every electric car on sale in the UK on show – more than 100 vehicles
  • 150+ exhibitors covering the EV, clean energy and related sectors
  • Electric car test drive area – enabling thousands to experience the latest EVs
  • 50+ live theatre sessions with hundreds of expert panellists

This week (3-5 September) will see the UK’s largest event for electric vehicles and clean technologies usher in a new era of transport. As the UK looks ahead to the government’s 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars, Fully Charged OUTSIDE will host thousands of visitors looking to make the shift to clean mobility and more sustainable lifestyles.

Held at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, the three-day outdoor show will exhibit every electric car on sale in the UK (more than 100 vehicles) with thousands of test drives offered to showgoers. More than 150 exhibitors covering the EV, clean energy and related sectors will be on hand to help visitors to navigate the switch to electric vehicles and greener living.

Dan Caesar, Fully Charged joint CEO: “The world as we know it is changing fast. We’re proud to be playing a part in the transition to cleaner cars, more efficient homes and ultimately to a future where we significantly reduce our carbon emissions. After the challenges of the past year, we can’t wait to see real people, test drive real cars and learn about real solutions to our climate change emergency.”

The show will see the UK debut of the all-new Nissan Ariya electric crossover, the first public viewing of a new electric commercial vehicle, and the launch of a new government strategy; plus, electric motorcycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and classic electric car conversions.

Since the last time the Fully Charged LIVE event was held in June 2019, electric vehicle uptake has rocketed alongside the UK charging infrastructure’s rapid growth. Pure electric cars have seen their market share double since this point last year and for the past two months, more new electric cars were sold than diesel cars.

The show will also tackle every conceivable electric vehicle and clean energy topic with more than 50 live theatre sessions that range from choosing an electric vehicle and how to charge it, to climate change, air quality and eco-living. Sessions will be hosted by the Fully Charged team, including Robert Llewellyn, Jack Scarlett, Maddie Moate, Helen Czerski and Dan Caesar, each bringing their knowledge and fun-loving exploration to each topic alongside hundreds of expert panellists.

Fully Charged OUTSIDE runs from 3-5 September 2021 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. Further information about the show is available here, and tickets to the event can be purchased here.

I’ll be there on the 5 September, so I look forward to seeing you on the day!

Surges in Electric Vehicle sales and what this means for combustion engine vehicles

Recently, the sales of EVs have surged. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular.

Electric cars have important advantages

Plug-in cars are generally cheaper to run, and drivers don’t need to pay as much road tax. Of course, there are also many important environmental benefits, which makes driving an EV a great choice.

Environment

Zero tailpipe emissions and similar factors support the environment and help upgrade the living conditions for future generations.

Charging

Cars that are powered by electric motors are becoming more appealing to buyers and there are many charging points available throughout the UK. They can be found at supermarkets, service stations, hotels, shopping centres and other public places and often offer free charges.

Driving

The driving experience is also improved. “Electric cars accelerate faster than vehicles with traditional fuel engines – so they feel lighter to drive”, EDF says.

Sales of electric and hybrid cars boom in March

March was an especially productive month for car dealers selling hybrid and electric cars. Traditionally, car sales are especially high in March – more than during any other month of the year. But in March 2021 car dealers experienced record-breaking sales of EVs. Lockdowns and restrictions due to COVID-19 didn’t slow down the sales and it was a huge win for the electric car industry. According to The Guardian, “plug-in vehicle sales account for almost 14% of all new car sales in March”.

Among the top 10 cars that were sold in March 2021, the Toyota Yaris which is a hybrid car was the most popular amongst the eco-friendly vehicles. Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes-Benz A-Class which can be bought as a hybrid car were also on the list as was the fully electric Hyundai Kona (also available as a hybrid car), Driving Electric explains.

What does this mean for combustion engine vehicles?

The high demand for fully electric cars as well as hybrid cars may have an impact on the typical combustion engine vehicles. The forces of supply and demand are expected to impact the prices of combustion engine vehicles.

The increase in demand for EVs will undoubtedly reduce the demand for standard cars, especially used ones – which will ultimately result in their value falling much quicker than in the past. This means that you could be owing a lot more on your car than what it’s worth and could leave you in a tough financial situation should anything happen to it. Especially for preloved cars, a Gap Insurance can cover expenses in the case of an unexpected breakdown and can save you hundreds of pounds.

With EV sales surging, it is only a matter of time until electric cars become more popular than combustion engine vehicles.

3 Reasons Why Electric Cars Are The Future

Conserving the environment has been a goal that is continually dropped down in importance. Why? Well, many people are focused on what is happening in the present, not the future. But with more and more natural disasters occurring, it has become time for people to pay closer attention. 

Global warming is starting to become a major problem for the entire world. How humans slow down this warming is still up for discussion, but one decided way is through the use of electric vehicles. Some may scoff at that idea, but in all reality, electric cars and vehicles are the future of the modern world, whether you want to believe it or not. Just check out below the three reasons why electric vehicles will be around sooner rather than later:

The Global Impact Of Gas Powered Cars

The fossil fuel emissions made by humans and their vehicles have a really nasty effect on the environment. For example, across the pond in the United States of America, The U.S. transportation sector is responsible for about a third of the country’s climate-damaging emissions. 

On the United Kingdom side of things, Transportation is the most polluting sector in the United Kingdom, producing the equivalent of 122 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019. So, with all that being said, it’s obvious people need to find a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel. Electric vehicles may be the answer.

There Is A Better Built Support System

For a long time, electric cars were not thoroughly supported. For instance, electric cars have to be charged using charging stations. With that being the case, you would expect gas stations to put in some type of charging station for cars to pull up and recharge their battery; but that is why we never assume. 

Installing the required charging stations costs a lot of money, more money than those gas stations were willing to pay. Now, with global warming becoming an increasing problem, the infrastructure surrounding electric vehicles has gotten a lot stronger. 

And no, that does not mean that there is more availability to call IT support. It means that people are supporting the initiative of moving to electric cars more than ever, creating a world that will soon get used to having all electric vehicles on the road. 

More and More Options are Becoming Available

With a much-improved infrastructure of electric vehicles, competitiveness within the electric vehicle marketplace has grown. There used to be just the Prius, but now large-scale corporations like Tesla, Ford, Jaguar, and Nissan are all putting in strong efforts to take over the market. Now that may be due to the new requirements and goals of whatever country (the United States wants all vehicles on the road to be electric by 2030), but the point still stands. Electric vehicles are growing, and it is easy to see why they are the future of our society. 

Gadget Man Episode 157 – James Hazell Mix Tape Part 2 – Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar

This morning was the second of my Mix Tape tracks played by James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk. I’ve attached the YouTube playlist again below which will play the interview followed by the track.

This is probably one of my favourite pieces of music ever, I don’t know quite where I first heard it, but it is a very, very, very popular dance track.

I went on holiday with my parents and some friends in Portugal. We had a villa and I brought this CD that someone had lent me, which was free on the front of Ministry Magazine, Hooj Choons.

I took that with me and it was a beautiful Villa and I went in and dragged the stereo system out beside the pool and put this on and had it blasting out sitting by the pool, and it was, it was like being in Ibiza when I was 20. It was fantastic!

Great Tune!

This doesn’t include the abrupt ending broadcast today on air!!

Below is a playlist which includes the track after the interview.