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Electric cars are driven for 26% more miles in their first three years on the road than petrol models, research from the RAC Foundation has found.

The analysis, which pre-dates the steep fall in road traffic seen since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, is based on the MOT data for 516,936 vehicles.

It found battery electric cars cover an average of 9,435 miles per year over their first three years, compared to a petrol car’s 7,490.

Diesel cars are driven the most, and cover an average of 12,496 miles in each of their first three years.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Unsurprisingly people with diesels have been doing most mileage, probably seeking better long-distance fuel economy, but this study is also evidence that battery-electric powered cars are not just trophy vehicles signalling their owners’ green credentials but prior to the lockdown were racking up the miles as everyday transport.

“Tens of millions of people still drive petrol and diesel-powered cars, but this data suggests that owners of electric cars have found them to be a practical proposition, running up the sort of big annual mileages that many of us need to do, challenging preconceptions about their range and the ease of re-charging.

“The next big question is what will happen when the Covid-19 lockdown ends?

“Some say our travel behaviour might change quite dramatically as we’ve mastered on-line meetings in place of the office routine, but any ongoing desire for social-distancing might yet draw us back to our own cars for the trips we make once the travel restrictions are lifted.”

The research found a Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid – the most common PHEV on the road – averages 12,500 miles a year.

RAC Foundation reports the battery electric Tesla Model S covered an average annual mileage of 12,392, the Nissan Leaf 8,241 and the Renault Zoe 5,736.

The analysis also found there was a big difference between petrol and diesel versions of the same model. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued guidance towards the end of last month that a car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date could be extended by six months if it was due on or after March 30.

The DVSA currently carries out 30 million MOTs a year through 23,000 test centres. But, with all this summer’s MOTs effectively being pushed back into the autumn/winter period, that could put unprecedented pressure on the system and leave drivers scrambling to find MOT slots.

Terry Hiles, general manager at Licence Check which is now part of the Ebbon-Dacs Group, said: “The six-month MOT extension raises concerns about the potential backlog of tests that will need to be carried out later this year.

“Centres will be twice as busy as normal during the autumn/winter period as 12 months’ demand will be effectively shoehorned into a six-month time frame.

“Employers will need to have in place robust systems in place to ensure MOTs are carried out on the new dates rather than the regular anniversary date that they may have become accustomed to.

“So MOT reminders and alerts to drivers will be vitally important.

“MOTs will need to be attended to once lockdown ends and many drivers may need a prompt to help them remember the new expiration date.

“One option could be to sign with the .gov.uk website for its text message reminder service so that drivers are sent reminders of their new date.”

Currently, some 10% of vehicles fail an MOT due to defective brakes, 13% for suspension faults and 8% for illegal tyres.

With a percentage of the nation’s cars not being MOT’d for a further six months, the chances of some of them being driven in an unroadworthy state could rise dramatically.

Drivers could face fines of up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition, regardless of whether they are being operated under a six-month MOT extension or not.

The DVSA’s official guidance on its website says that insurance will still be valid, that drivers can still tax their vehicle and the vehicle’s record will be updated so the police can see they have a valid MOT during the six-month extension.

But insurance cover is likely to be invalidated if the vehicle is driven in a dangerous or defective state and the emphasis is on drivers to keep their vehicles in a roadworthy condition.

The DVSA advice is to take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage if it’s unsafe. These are allowed to stay open during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Licence Check said this uncertainty puts the onus on employers, especially those with large numbers of grey fleet drivers who use their own vehicles on company business, to have in place robust systems to ensure that vital checks are being carried out,  such as MOTs, as soon as possible once lockdown is over to ensure continuing compliance. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The number of vehicles registered for use on UK roads has exceeded 40 million for the first time, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Analysis shows that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use in the UK in 2019, an increase of 1% on the previous year.

The total includes more than 750,000 low, ultra-low and zero emission vehicles. The number of these cars grew by 26% last year, with 11,832 hybrids, 144,335 plug-in hybrids and 92,913 battery electric vehicles now in use.

Birmingham has the second highest number of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles after Greater London, with some 24,000 zero and ultra-low emission cars on the city’s roads.

Light commercial vehicles grew by  2.7% on the previous year to 4.5m units, surging by 28% in the last decade. Passenger cars, meanwhile, increased 0.8% in the same period. The number of heavy goods vehicles grew by 0.4% to 608,000 – the largest number delivering for Britain since 1990.

Many of these vehicles are helping to provide transport for essential workers, deliveries and emergency services. Some 25,000 ambulance and fire service vehicles, together with more than 20,000 supermarket delivery trucks and lorries are keeping the nation safe, supermarket shelves stocked, and the flow of food, medicine and care to vulnerable people going during the coronavirus crisis.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “As the UK continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, keeping food, medical supplies and the people serving on the front line moving has never been so important – and these figures show the essential role Britain’s vehicle fleet plays for society. They also provide evidence that industry’s ongoing investment into ever cleaner, safer and more reliable vehicle technology is paying off, even as demand for mobility grows. To ensure this trend continues, we must get the right support for businesses and their workers in place now so that when this crisis is over, the sector can help get the whole country and our economy back on the move.”

Most popular cars

The SMMT’s Motorparc data reveals black as the most commonly seen car colour on the UK’s roads, with more than a fifth (7.1m) clad in the paint.

There are more superminis on UK roads than any other category of car, with the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa the most common models.

The BMW 3 Series is the only premium badge car to feature in the top 10 list, with more than half a million examples on UK roads.

By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The views of Charley Grimston, co-founder of Altelium and CEO of CNC Asset Ltd

There have been plenty of good news stories coming from the automotive sector since the covid-19 outbreak, including car manufacturers switching their production lines to make ventilators. But, of course, there are concerns about the industry’s economic stability, at the beginning of April 2020 car sales were down 44 per cent.

However, there are three powerful reasons why the electric vehicle market will be supercharged by this dreadful virus and lockdown when it’s over.

Clean refuelling

Firstly, drivers will want electric vehicles because diesel and petrol forecourts will be perceived as unclean.  You have to hold the pump the previous person has used, touch the screen or enter the shop to pay. With electricity you can fuel up at your own home for consumers, or at a centralised depot for fleet owners.

We may all want to get back to normal but some things you can’t unknow, and one of those things is how infection is transmitted.

Preserving environmental gains

Secondly, people will want to do things differently and better. Those who can afford to buy cars will want to play a part in making the world a better, greener place. Already we are seeing how nature is recovery as a result of the lockdown:  “This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” said Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre describing levels of nitrogen dioxide over China.

The nationwide shutdown has led to a big drop in air pollution across the UK’s major cities.  For nitrogen dioxide pollution, new data shows that this has almost halved in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff.  Transport contributes 23 per cent of global carbon emissions and driving is by far the largest element of that, contributing 72 per cent of transport carbon emissions.

When the engines of the economy start again, we’ll want to try and preserve these gains. A report just published by the Journal of Nature has proved that electric vehicles produce less carbon dioxide than petrol cars across the vast majority of the globe.  There were lingering doubts in some quarters about the environmental credentials of electric cars, centred around the battery. This report lays those concerns to rest. So, when people start buying again, they will buy with the environment in mind – and that means electric.

Buy once, buy well

And thirdly those investing in new cars, especially fleet owners, will want to buy well. This global lockdown and coronavirus is like nothing we have ever experienced, but what many of us have experienced is recession. At times of recession, or worse, warranties become far more important to both the car owners and manufacturers.

To fleet owners, a long warranty is a sign of quality and reassurance. To the manufacturer it provides a way to demonstrate your belief in your product quality. A warranty allows a product to be sold on quality and therefore protects profit margins. Profitably is also protected further downstream, where a warranty allows the manufacturer to offer range of customer service and support, underwritten by their insurance.

How do we know this is the case?  We have been providing damage and breakdown extended warranty and renewable energy insurance for plant and machinery for over thirty years.  We have seen ourselves and our customers through huge fluctuations in the market, and what has provided consistent protection throughout this time is the warranty.

Developing warranties for EV batteries

Until now it has been difficult to develop warranties on electric vehicles, specifically the battery, because the technology is so new. Traditional lead acid batteries come with a raft of data and industrial standards, developed and refined over many years, which inform investment or warranty decisions.

There was a lack of data around electric batteries which held back investment decisions about the single most important component part – the electric battery. There’s too much risk involved to offer a good, long warranty if you don’t know what affects the product’s performance and longevity.

Now this final issue has been addressed. Intelligent data can now be gathered in real time from electric batteries and then enhanced with AI learning to describe the current, past and likely future performance of the battery at an individual cell level. Systems like Altelium are at the forefront of this. They unlock market potential because armed with this data the battery can be given second life uses.

Intelligent planning

Here again the warranty is the catalyst of change. A comprehensive warranty at individual cell level can include service and breakdown cover for the cell in it its second life situation as part of a static energy storage system. This extends the revenue stream for the manufacturer or the owner of the storage facility.

It also extends significantly any carbon footprint calculations for the car itself because the battery cells will be in operation for so many years.   Unlike Bernard London who suggested that recession could be ended through ‘planned obsolescence’ in 1930s, now the approach must be the total opposite. We must recognise intelligent planning and electric vehicles are the exemplar of how to energise the automotive market.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The number of vehicles stolen in England and Wales rose by more than one-fifth (21%) between 2016 and 2019, according to a freedom of information request by AX.

Responses obtained from police forces across England and Wales found much of that increase occurred between 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, with a ride of 14.1%.

The report follows research by Verizon Connect earlier this year, which found the average fleet loses around £16,000 per year as a result of vehicle or equipment theft.

Neil Thomas, director of investigative services at the provider of intelligent vehicle protection and management technologies and a former detective inspector, said: “While the lockdown may temporally reduce some types of car theft, criminals are using increasingly intelligent ways to steal vehicles and continue to find success.

“The combination of organised crime getting smarter and ability to make quick returns has drastically increased pressure on police forces to control the theft of motor vehicles.

“Car thieves are opportunists and have no respect for property and will remain determined to carry on illegal activity despite the current restrictions on movement across the UK. I have even seen recent reports of vehicles belonging to key workers being stolen.

“During this period of lockdown, it’s even more important that car owners remain vigilant and do what they can to keep their car safe while they’re using them less frequently, if at all.”

Of the 17 police forces that responded, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire Police saw the largest increases, with Nottinghamshire Police reporting an overall rise of 60%.

Hertfordshire, Surrey, West Midlands and Essex Police each saw overall surges of more than 40%.

However, some forces have seen a decrease in motor vehicle thefts, including Merseyside Police and Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Humberside Police reported the largest drop, with a decrease of 36%.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Following VW, Audi will restart car production at its plants in Europe during the coming weeks, with ‘normality’ expected by the end of the month.

The company announced the temporary suspension of production at its European sites in mid-March due to supply bottlenecks and a drop in demand due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Suppliers and service providers will also restart at the same time, in an effort coordinated with the Volkswagen Group.

“We will manage the restart as a joint European act,” said Board of Management member for production Peter Kössler. “This is because supply chains and production and logistics processes are closely interlinked within the Group and with partners at the international level.”

Some Volkswagen plants have already reopened, with factories in Zwickau and Bratislava (Slovakia) the first to return to normality.

Audi is following the guidelines of the Robert Koch Institute and the regulations of the health authorities of the respective country to ensure employee safety.

“The focus is on the employees, because they need a safe working environment. Audi teams of experts have therefore adapted processes with a view to health protection in consultation with the specialist departments and works councils. I would like to thank all Audi employees and our partners around the world for their flexibility and joint efforts in times like these,” Kössler added.

There will be a package of measures in place to ensure that the employees’ health is protected,  including clear rules on distance and hygiene, a modified shift system to avoid contact, and the obligation to use mouth and nose protection in areas where distances of 1.5 metres are not possible.

Vehicle production at the Audi sites will be gradually ramped up from the end of April onwards according to a fixed plan. Engine production in Győr already started gradually ramping up again this week.

PSA Group has also announced a gradual restart of its facilities, including the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) says a successful re-launch of the car industry will be vital to the wider economic recovery of the continent. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

More than one in 10 British motorists would defy a pavement parking ban if it was introduced following a government consultation, according to research from Yourparkingspace.co.uk.

The study found that 16% of motorists would flout the ban, despite the risk of punishment.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps set out new proposals earlier this month to launch a consultation in the summer, aimed at improving pedestrian safety for people with mobility or sight impairments, as well as parents with prams who may be forced into the road to get around parked cars.

It is already illegal to park on the pavement in London and is due to be outlawed in Scotland from 2021, but it is a grey area in other parts of the UK.

Harrison Woods, managing director of Yourparkingspace.co.uk, said: “It seems likely that pavement parking will become punishable in many parts of the country, yet this won’t deter a sizeable number of motorists from continuing to do so.

“We would remind all motorists to consider their actions and how it impacts on others.”

Parking on a pavement can cause major inconvenience to people in wheelchairs, the partially sighted and those with pushchairs, among others, who struggle to find room to pass the vehicle.

However, some motorists who park on a pavement say they do it out of necessity as, for instance, parking on the road in a narrow street could block emergency vehicles.

Harrison added: “Pavement parking has always been a contentious issue, and even if it is banned across the whole of the UK, it will continue to divide opinion.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Drivers can avoid a large number of breakdowns after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted by following some basic car care tips.

While car usage isn’t completely banned under the lockdown rules, many vehicles will be left parked up for extended periods or only used for infrequent short journeys.

“It is highly likely that there will be a spike, particularly in battery breakdowns, once the current crisis is over. However, unlike the first working day after the New Year it is unlikely that everyone will return to work or journeys on the same day,” a spokesperson from The AA told Fleet News.

The organisation said it will be making plans to cope with any surge in demand and advising fleet drivers on vehicle maintenance.

Following the Christmas period, breakdown providers see a spike in callouts usually caused by vehicles with flat batteries.

With the end of the lockdown not currently known, and the possibility of social distancing measures being extended, some vehicles could remain unused for months.

Bryn Brooker, head of marketing at Nextbase, said: “At such an unusual and challenging time for everyone, we want to reiterate to all vehicle owners to take good care of both themselves and their vehicles.

“Ultimately, leaving your car inactive for a while means you will need to make thorough checks. This is vital to ensure the roads are safe when non-essential journeys can be made again.”

Top tips to keep you vehicle healthy during the lockdown:

Battery

The battery is the most likely cause of a breakdown. Even newer vehicles, if left for long enough, can suffer a flat battery. Cars with alarms and connected infotainment systems have a higher power draw.

Cars with a healthy battery should last at least two weeks, without needing to be started up to re-charge the battery. If there’s any doubt about the condition of the battery, fleet drivers should start the car once a week and allow it idle for 15-20 minutes.

EVs and hybrid vehicles have 12-volt batteries, the same as conventional cars. However, they charge differently. Pressing the start button, so the ready light comes on, will operate the charging system. Doing this for 10 minutes once a week should keep the 12-volt battery topped up.

EVs, Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars should not be left with a flat drive battery either, as the battery can become damaged if left discharged for long periods of time. The ideal to to keep 50-80% charge in the battery.

Brakes

Sometimes, when a vehicle is parked up for a long period with the parking brake on, the brakes can seize. To prevent this, it’s good practice to release the parking brake and move the vehicle a short distance back and forth, at the same time as running the engine. The parking brake shouldn’t be left off unless the vehicle is on private land with the wheels securely chocked.

Fuel

Person using fuel pump in filling station

Before parking a vehicle up for a long period, it’s a good idea to top up with fuel. Not only will this help with other measures, but a full tank doesn’t attract condensation, which could cause issues if allowed to build up over time.

Tyres

Check your tyre pressures and make sure they are at the recommended settings. A tyre that is partially deflated will put extra stress on the sidewall and may cause lasting damage if left that way for an extended period. If you have space, roll the car forward or backwards slightly to change the area where the stress on the sidewall is greatest. Keeping the pressure right will mean you are ready to go as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Paint

Car Cleaning

Cars and vans should still be washed regularly when not being used to protect the paint and trim from contaminants. Bird droppings, if left, could cause damage to the paint finish that can’t be removed with normal cleaning/polishing. Alloy wheels should also be cleaned of brake dust as this can cause pitting and staining, especially on wheels with a polished finish.

If you can’t get out with your bucket of water I’ve found that waterless car wash works pretty well. Parking under trees can leave a green type mould at the base of the windows. Use an old toothbrush with cleaner to get rid of it.

Ensure there is not food or drink left in the vehicle in an unsealed container and leaving the windows or doors open regularly to ventilate the car will prevent mould from forming inside.

DPF

Modern diesel cars are fitted with a diesel particulate filter to help reduce the exhaust emissions. These devices function by storing the harmful pollution then burning it off when the exhaust system gets hot enough – usually on a motorway.

If a vehicle is only used for short trips, such as shopping locally, the filter may become clogged. If the vehicle needs to perform a ‘regeneration’, where it clears the filter itself, a warning light will come on the instrument cluster, shaped like a filter. The engine must not be switched off while this light is illuminated. If unsure, check your handbook.

Whilst there are no rules relating to extended trips to clear the DPF as long as you don’t abuse the need to clear the DPF in order to keep you mobile the police will have a relaxed approach.

You need to drive for 15 minutes at a speed of over 50 miles per hour. Take a picture of the warning light with your phone to show the police if you get stopped. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

This sounds dreadful but when I last looked into Cap HPI data regarding clocking I found that they could record several checks on the same car but recorded as individual checks resulting in another car found with an incorrect reading.

According to Cap HPI the number of vehicles with a mileage discrepancy has increased by 22% year-on-year.

One in 11 vehicles (836,214) checked in 2019 had a mileage discrepancy, an increase of 22.2% over 2018’s figure (607,981) when one in 14 vehicles was recorded as having a mileage discrepancy.

In the past five years, the number of vehicles with mileage discrepancies has increased by 45%.

Fernando Garcia, consumer director at Cap HPI, said: “When conducting a mileage check from HPI, we will identify any mileage discrepancies through both our own National Mileage Register and the car’s MOT history. If a car has been clocked or had its odometer tampered with, then the mileage reading will appear to have decreased which is a false reading.

“A vehicle’s mileage is closely linked to its value. These false readings often correlate to mechanical issues and faults later down the line, which could have safety implications or lead to hefty repair bills.

“All the safety features and modules in a modern car, such as airbags, ABS and ignition, feed information into the vehicle’s central computer system. Each time an issue arises, such as a fault warning, a ‘snapshot’ of the vehicle’s mileage will be logged.

Unless a vehicle’s mileage is wound back by a particularly diligent clocker who knows to alter the mileage readings on all modules as well as the odometer, these will be out of sync. This will lead to issues with safety warnings – making it potentially very dangerous for the driver, passenger and other road users.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News