Category: Trends (Page 9 of 10)

More new EVs will be registered in the UK in 2021 than in the whole of the last decade

2021-11-09 / Robert Vinet

The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicate around 287,000 plug-in vehicles will be registered in 2021 – more the number registered between 2010 and 2019.

According to the SMMT, a total of 271,962 new battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) were registered between 2010 and 2019. However, with more than 236,000 new BEVs and PHEVs registered during the first 10 months of the year, the SMMT is expecting that number to be surpassed by the end of 2021.

So far this year, BEVs have accounted for most of the UK’s plug-in car registrations, with more than 141,000 registered between January 1 and October 31. In comparison, just over 95,400 plug-in hybrids have been registered over the same period. Together, the two technologies account for 16.6 percent of all new car sales in the UK.

Elsewhere » The Energyst

Demand in the UK for used EVs surges despite the overall market falling

2021-11-09 / Robert Vinet

Demand for used battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles in the UK continued to grow in Q3 2021, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Reflecting recent trends in both the new and used markets, BEV demand rose 56.4% with 14,182 cars changing hands. PHEV transactions rose by 43.3% to 14,990 EVs. Meanwhile, overall UK used car transactions fell -6.2% against strong Q3 2020 to 2,034,342 units.

Indeed, the number of used BEVs that changed hands during the period was the highest recorded in any quarter. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions also increased by 20.3% to 40,157.

Video » The surprisingly long history of electric vehicles

2021-11-05 / Robert Vinet

If you think EVs are relatively new, you may be surprised to learn they have been around since the 1800’s.

More than three-quarters of drivers do not want unnecessary technology in their cars

2021-11-05 / Robert Vinet

Dacia Spring Electric

More than three-quarters – 78 percent – of UK drivers want in-car technology that they deem as being useful in making life easier and more comfortable on the road, instead of high-end features that cause confusion and inevitably increase the cost of their new car.

The research by Dacia, a brand of the Renault Group, has revealed that 76 percent of car users think that too much technology in a vehicle can be distracting, while 61 percent would rather have a more affordable car with just the technology they actually use, instead of paying for pricier extras found on more expensive models that are hardly utilized.

For drivers that have a long list of technological features on their own car, around a third think that there are too many fitted in the first place, while 69 percent think that in-car technology has become too complicated.

Agency Model » A much needed trend in new car retailing

2021-11-01 / Robert Vinet

Volkswagen mandated agency model for EV sales at all German dealerships. (WardsAuto)

The Agency Model is not just a trend. It’s already taken hold in Europe.

WardsAuto »

This agency model works as follows: The franchise dealer no longer is the focal point of a new vehicle sale; instead, the customer places an order directly with Volkswagen, whether offline or online, and names a preferred delivery dealer. The price and dealership mark-up or commission is fixed, set by VW, and the preferred dealer is the agent with no sales negotiation responsibility but is simply a test drive, transaction processor and delivery point.

The dealer no longer finances an inventory of vehicles for sale, all floorplan or finance costs are borne by VW and the dealer is offered an attractive lease program for demos and loaners. This is not the future; in many places in Europe the agency model has already arrived.

Daimler was next to introduce the agency model about a year later in the U.K., with other European regions planning to follow.

Almost 1 in 20 new motor vehicle registrations in Canada were zero-emission vehicles in Q2 2021

2021-10-26 / Robert Vinet

2021 Hyundai KONA electric

From April to June 2021, Canadians registered 486,592 new motor vehicles, 180,681 (+59.1%) more than in the same quarter in 2020 when public health measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 resulted in the closure of dealerships.

Registrations were up for all vehicle types in the second quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020. Multi-purpose vehicles (+87.4%) saw the largest increase, followed by passenger cars (+52.8%), vans (+32.8%) and pickup trucks (+17.4%). Multi-purpose vehicles accounted for over half (55.8%) of all new motor vehicles registered in the second quarter, up from 47.4% during the same quarter a year earlier.

Registrations of all fuel types rose in the second quarter, but the increases were less pronounced for vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). Over four times as many new hybrid electric vehicles (+309.7%) were registered in the second quarter compared with the same quarter a year earlier. More than twice as many new battery-electric vehicles (BEV) (+165.6%) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) (+151.7%) were registered in the second quarter. More new gasoline (+50.1%) and diesel (+55.9%) vehicles were also registered in the second quarter.

EV’s are estimated to make up 34% of light-duty vehicle fleets in OECD countries by 2050

2021-10-26 / Robert Vinet

In their International Energy Outlook 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates the global light-duty vehicle (LDV) fleet contained 1.31 billion vehicles in 2020. And they are projecting this fleet will grow to 2.21 billion vehicles by 2050.

The EIA estimates electric LDVs will grow from 0.7% of the global LDV fleet in 2020 to 31% in 2050, reaching 672 million electric vehicles.

Significant growth in EV sales and shares of sales through the projection period results in the global conventional gasoline and diesel LDV fleet peaking in 2038. The EIA project that an increase in economic activity, population, and private mobility will result in more global LDVs through 2050.

The 2020 global LDV fleet primarily consists of conventional gasoline and diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, but sales of EVs are projected to grow due to recent technology and policy developments. In our International Energy Outlook 2021, EVs include both full battery, all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that are primarily powered by liquid fuels when batteries are nearly depleted.

The EIA project EV fleet shares will reach 34% in OECD countries and 28% in non-OECD countries by 2050. Although the conventional LDV fleet peaks in 2023 for OECD countries, faster growth in the non-OECD fleet results in nearly two-thirds of light-duty EVs being in non-OECD countries by 2050.