The Best Car Finance Blog In The World

It is inevitable that if the government is to encourage the move to electric cars they must disincentivise the continued purchase of petrol and diesel cars. Increased fuel duty is of course one thing that can be done, first registration tax is another. Let’s see what the experts have to say.

A planned 5p rise in fuel duty could cause “untold damage” if the Government decides to go ahead with it in the next budget, warns RAC Fuel Watch.

It says drivers face a “pump price shock” in less than two weeks unless the Chancellor decides to keep the 5p duty cut put in place a year ago, and cancel the annual planned hike at the Spring Budget on 15 March.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “All eyes are now on what the Chancellor decides to do with fuel duty at the Budget in just two weeks’ time. While we accept the 5p cut introduced last year can’t last forever, with household finances under even more pressure this Spring than they were a year ago, we don’t think now is the time to be removing it.

“To decide to raise prices by 5p on both fuels would prove punishing to households and businesses struggling to make ends meet, and may have a detrimental effect on both inflation – which the Government is desperate to bring down – and the wider economy. In the case of diesel, it would also mean the UK has the highest fuel duty rate in the whole of Europe.

“We also hope Mr Hunt isn’t about to become the first Chancellor in 12 years not to cancel the annual planned fuel duty rise. If he were to go ahead with it, untold damage could be caused.”

February saw the average price of a litre of unleaded come down another penny (1.26p) to 147.72p, while diesel dropped 3.19p to 167.19p. The falls make the cost of filling a 55-litre family petrol car £81.25 (down £0.69 from £81.94 a month earlier), and the diesel equivalent £91.95 (down from £93.71 at the start of February).

While the reduction in diesel prices is good news, wholesale price data analysed by the RAC shows drivers of the UK’s 12m diesel cars continue to pay a “needlessly high” price every time they fill up. Despite there being just a 6p difference between the wholesale prices of both diesel and petrol throughout all of February, diesel pump prices are currently 20p more than petrol. This means anyone filling a diesel car is, the RAC calculates, paying around £7 more per tank than they should be if diesel was being sold at a fairer price of around 155p a litre.

Last month, the RAC revealed that drivers of diesel vehicles are paying 20p per litre more for diesel than petrol, despite a wholesale cost difference of just 6p.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The Tesla new car price reductions announced overnight on January 12 were significant, unexpected and widely publicised.

We may never know exactly what impact they had on used values, but the timing of the action, in the midst of a sharp downturn of used values for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), could not have been worse.

In the case of Tesla Model 3, used values had already decreased to the extent that nearly new used retail values were comfortably away from the revised list prices, but the impact on Model Y was to send used values for all three derivatives above cost new.

Unsurprisingly, there was an immediate impact on used values and we expect further significant reductions on this model.

Model 3, in particular, has been used across the industry as a comparison vehicle, even where it is not strictly a direct competitor vehicle for certain models.

As a result, the falls in Tesla Model 3 values are at least partially reflected in many other BEV models.

At Cap HPI we have made an additional negative adjustment to our forecasts due to a combination of reasons: an expectation of increased new car volume due to an improved competitive position (residual values and guaranteed future values are unlikely to decrease in pound note terms by as much as the list price reductions) and also the list price reductions potentially signal a move from a niche premium brand to a more mainstream, volume brand.

LEVERS FOR OTHER MANUFACTURERS

There are also other levers that rival manufacturers could pull in an attempt to reduce Tesla’s competitive advantage.

Although most BEV models are subject to limited fleet discounts, some adjustment may be possible.

Many will be looking very closely at their finance offerings to ensure interest rates are as competitive as possible and exploring whether there are any additional elements which can be incorporated into a new car deal, such as free servicing for a fixed period (unlikely to involve a large financial commitment for a new battery electric car).

As far as we are aware, most other OEMs are unlikely to follow suit with reductions to their own list prices.

Some, like Kia, came out very quickly, keen to rule such a move out and distance themselves from Tesla’s behaviour, while others have kept their cards closer to their chest.

It seems more likely that future planned list price increases may be cancelled, rather than making any attempt to match Tesla on the cost new front.

Some manufacturers also have the option of bringing cheaper versions of their existing vehicles to market; either by including smaller batteries which are already available in other markets, or reducing specification deemed to be unessential or adding limited value in the used market. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has moved its key accounts to a direct sales model as part of a new fleet strategy.

The change is expected to strengthen the carmaker’s relationships with end-user drivers and improve customer service for fleets.

It comes a year before the brand’s retailers fully transition to an agency sales model. Leasing companies will transact with JLR directly, with the vehicle then allocated to the driver’s nearest authorised Fleet and Business Centre for delivery.

A key element of the new process is that all JLR fleet customers will receive a full handover from a retailer.

Andrew Jago (pictured), general manager for fleet and business at JLR, said: “Anybody who drives a Jaguar Land Rover vehicle has made an informed choice to drive that vehicle and I think it’s really important we recognise that in the experience we deliver.

“Having a direct brand relationship with our customers allows us to give a great modern luxury purchase and ownership experience, but also the opportunity to renew it at the end.

“We want to strongly move away from preferred supplier arrangements where you’ve got groups who are taking orders for leasing companies and then delivering cars to customers through third party logistics companies.

“There’s no proper handover, there’s no introduction to the service department and there’s no ultimate relationship with the brand.”

Around a third of the JLR retail network is currently recognised as a Fleet and Business Centre. Jago said this gives sufficient geographical coverage, but will remain under review.

Retailers can opt-in to the scheme and must commit to putting the resource and standards in place to engage with fleet customers.

Jago, who has been responsible for fleet sales at JLR since 2019, added: “Utopia, for me, would be that every retailer can really deeply understand and support the needs of the fleet business user, but I won’t compromise on that just to say we’ve got full coverage.

“We want to make sure we are really putting our arms around those customers and are doing the job properly.”

Smaller fleets and small-to medium enterprises (SMEs) will continue to transact with their local dealer directly until the agency model is adopted in 2024.

OVERCOMING SUPPLY CHALLENGES

Last year saw sales declines for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, driven predominantly by a shortage of semiconductors. Jaguar sales were down by 35%, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, and Land Rover was 19% behind its 2021 sales.

While registrations fell, the brand launched new versions of its flagship Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models. Both achieved record levels of interest.

Order books across JLR’s portfolio consequentially swelled to more than 200,000 units, 50,000 of which are destined for UK customers.

Production of Jaguar’s XE and XF models was halted, while a large number of derivatives across the model lines of both marques were suspended or given lead times of more than 12 months, allowing factories to focus on building the hotly anticipated new models.

JLR’s UK sales director Paddy McGillycuddy has confirmed to Autocar that availability of the affected models is gradually returning.

Production is still largely centred around plug-in hybrid and electric variants, however. Jago said a number of core fleet derivatives can now be had within a six-month window and that his team is working closely with fleets and leasing companies to communicate any changes to lead times.

Among the cars in the spotlight are the electric I-Pace – Jago said production has been “fiercely protected” – and the recently updated Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Velar plug-in hybrids, which now feature a larger battery, giving them sufficient range to slip into the 8% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax band.

Jaguar has a strategy to become an electric-only carmaker by 2025, but details on how that will be achieved are yet to be revealed. In the meantime, the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will have full electric availability from the end of 2024.

The focus remains firmly on the plug-in hybrid variants for now though. Both offer class-leading electric capability with up to 70 miles of zero-emission driving per charge.

Jago added: “The efficiency of the plug-in hybrid models we’re offering with Range Rover and Range Rover Sport has led to a significant shift in the salary sacrifice space, which, predominantly, is driven by battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

“With that 5% positioning on BIK it’s had huge appeal in the salary sacrifice space and we’ve seen people coming out of BEV into plug-in hybrid. There’s definitely more receptiveness to plug-in hybrids.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

A new approach to electrified powertrain development, which aims to cut costs by almost a third, has been unveiled by Nissan.

The manufacturer claims the new approach, called X-in-1, will result in a 30% reduction in development and manufacturing costs by 2026, compared to 2019.  

Nissan says that core electric vehicle (EV) and electric powertrain components will be shared and modularized.

The manufacturer has developed a three-in-one powertrain prototype, which modularises the motor, inverter and reducer in EVs.

A five-in-one prototype, which additionally modularises the generator and increaser, is planned for use in its e-Power vehicles.

The X-in-1 approach has been developed to enable EV and e-Power core components to be produced on the same line.

Nissan aims to achieve e-Power price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by around 2026.

Senior vice president at Nissan, Toshihiro Hirai, who leads powertrain and EV engineering powertrain development, said: “We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade long development and production of electrified technologies.

“Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-Power – as widely as possible.”

Under its long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, the company aims to bolster its line-up with 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by 2030.

Nissan says it wants to bring the “unique value” of its electrified vehicles to the broadest range of customers by introducing the most suitable models to each market at the appropriate time.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Testing of a dozen electric vehicles (EVs) in identical wintry conditions has revealed real-world ranges of up to a third less than official figures suggest.

The cars were driven from fully charged until they stopped. The worst performer – the Funky Cat, launched by Chinese carmaker Ora last year – fell 32.8% short of its official range, covering just 130 miles before stopping, compared with the official figure of 193 miles.

The car that got closest to its official range was the Nissan Ariya; it fell 16% short of its official figure, covering 269 miles rather than the 322 suggested.

The tests, conducted by ‘What Car?’, also showed that the Tesla Model Y came second in terms of getting closest to its official range, recording a shortfall of 17.8% on its official range of 331 miles, but covered the most distance overall, at 272 miles.

Will Nightingale, head of What Car?’s test team, said: “More and more people own or are considering electric cars, and it’s important that they understand the pros and cons of this technology, especially in terms of how far they are likely to go between charges.”

In 2020, the Norwegian Automobile Federation tested 20 BEVs in real-world winter conditions, and found that, on average, the range dropped by around 20%: a scenario which will be all too familiar to fleet operators across the UK.

The winter weather also slows down the speed at which a BEV can be charged and, although fleets can take actions to reduce the negative effect of the cooler conditions, such slowing cannot be eliminated.

Last year, both Centrica and Royal Mail reported seeing up to a 40% drop in range for their BEVs in cold conditions.

“We introduced our first 100 EVs throughout 2018/19, so we’ve had them for a couple of winters now,” says Anna Pearson, fleet innovation and environment manager at Royal Mail.

“The colder and darker conditions mean we have to use the heaters and lights more, and we have seen a drop in range.

“We’ve probably seen a drop of about 25% to 30%. That, obviously, depends on how the vehicle is being driven as well.”

In the What Car? test, all cars were driven at the same time at a test venue chosen to remove any variables that might hinder comparing results.

The 15-mile route simulated real-world driving conditions, taking in 2.6 miles of stop-start urban driving, four miles at a steady 50mph and eight miles at a constant 70mph.

Prior to testing, the tyre pressures were set to the manufacturer recommendation, before the cars were fully charged and left outside overnight for roughly 14 hours in temperatures that ranged from 0 to 2 degrees centigrade.

The cars were then plugged in again to ensure the batteries were full, ‘eco’ (or the closest equivalent) driving mode was selected, and all 12 were driven in convoy, swapping running order regularly to ensure no benefits were conferred by road position, until they ran out of charge.

All cars ran their heating systems to provide an interior temperature independently verified at 19.5 degrees.

Real Range test – real-world winter range vs official range

Car	Official range (miles)	Winter test range (miles)	Shortfall
Nissan Ariya 87kWh Evolve	322	269	16.4%
Tesla Model Y Long Range	331	272	17.8%
Mini Electric Resolute	141	113	20.2%
Genesis GV60 Premium	321	251	21.8%
BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport (Pro Pack)	340	261	23.4%
Jaguar I-Pace EV400	261	197	24.6%
Volkswagen ID Buzz Style	255	192	24.8%
MG 4 Long Range Trophy	270	196	27.6%
Cupra Born 58kWh V3	255	182	28.7%
Renault Megane E-Tech Techno	270	189	29.9%
Renault Megane E-Tech Equilibre	275	187	32.1%
Ora Funky Cat First Edition	193	130	32.8%

What Car? previously analysed three of the cars on the same test route and to the same criteria at the height of summer (in July).

These were the Cupra Born, BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3. The only notable difference in car specification was the BMW running on 20-inch wheels in What Car?’s winter test rather than 19-inch units in the summer test.

In the winter test, the average range achieved by the trio was 18% lower than in summer, with the BMW faring worst (261 miles vs 317, a fall of 21.6%) and the Tesla doing best (272 miles vs 304, a fall of 11.8%).

The Cupra covered 182 miles, against 219 in summer, a fall of 20.6%.

Real Range test – winter vs summer

Car	Winter range (miles)	Summer range (miles)	Shortfall
Tesla Model Y Long Range	272	304	11.8%
Cupra Born 58kWh V3	182	219	20.6%
BMW i4 eDrive40 M-Sport Pro Pack	261	317	21.6%

“The car makers are obliged to quote the official range figures, because they are set to a criteria laid out by European legislators,” said Nightingale. “However, we believe that our testing is far more indicative of what a typical British driver is likely to achieve, and therefore gives car buyers a better understanding before they make the switch to electric.

“Despite falling short of their official figures, it’s still clear that many of these electric cars have the advantage of being cheaper to run than petrol or diesel equivalents assuming you can charge at home – even with the price of electricity so high at the moment.

“The most efficient, the Mini Electric, cost just 8.7p per mile to fuel. The most efficient petrol car we’ve ever tested, a Toyota Yaris, costs 11.2p a mile at today’s prices.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

40 years ago, seatbelts became a legal requirement for front seat occupants – a change that heralded in a new era of road safety.

Backed up by the memorable ‘clunk, click, every trip’ motto, the introduction of seatbelts was the single biggest contribution to safety on our roads.

Fast forward to today and their impact is still felt, but seatbelts are no longer the only innovation keeping us safe.

Today’s vehicles feature a mind-boggling array of acronyms for devices and sensors which do what they can to mitigate the severity of accidents.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a suite of technological innovations that feed into our vehicles, from cruise control and automatic emergency braking to self-parking systems and intelligent speed adaptation.

But whereas the simplicity of the ‘clunk click’ slogan, and the easily understandable benefit of seat belts, was integral to improving safety by engaging with drivers and helping get the message across it is the sheer breadth of the systems available, and a lack of clarity around how they work, which causes not only confusion among drivers, but also mistrust too.

Red Corporate Driver Training carried out some exclusive research among 1,000 drivers to seek their opinions on ADAS, and it revealed a huge gulf in knowledge about these systems. We have to find a way to change this.

While 86% had heard of reversing and parking sensors, features such as a driver monitor system (ensuring the driver is alert) and intelligent speed adaptation (linking to traffic signs) only scored 40% and 34% awareness, respectively.

It’s a similar story when it comes to using these systems: 38% of respondents use reverse and parking sensors all the time, while a driver monitor system is used all the time by just 2.8% of drivers.

There are about as many reasons why drivers don’t use them as there are ADAS features. More than half (54%) of respondents say they don’t use them because ‘they like to be in control’, while 44% worry about becoming over-reliant on the technology.

There are other reasons. Cost is, of course, a barrier to some, with the price of buying a vehicle with ADAS fitted (and repairing it) a key consideration.

But most vehicles come fitted with many of these systems as standard now anyway.

The issue is mainly drivers’ lack of knowledge which impedes usage

Many don’t even realise it is in the vehicle, some are scared to try it on their own and others blame the vehicle manual for being too vague.

Others, simply, think they don’t need it, with ‘I feel I’m a great driver’ being a common response when asked about using ADAS.

This is where companies need to assess their approach.

After all, it is pointless to spend extra money on a fleet vehicle equipped with ADAS and then find the systems are not being used because of many of the reasons listed above.

When we asked the respondents what would encourage them to use ADAS, training was the first thing mentioned (either online, in-vehicle or in a classroom) by more than 50%.

This is a stark reminder that while technology improves at an inexorable rate, we mustn’t forget about the people who use it, and just assume that because a vehicle has systems fitted, somehow the issue has been magically solved.

Having the cleverest in-vehicle safety device ever invented is neither use nor ornament if it is not trusted or used by drivers. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Cars with keyless entry systems are twice as likely to be stolen as those without, according to data from Aviva.

The insurance firm is warning vehicle owners to be on their guard, as dark nights and modern theft methods create a perfect landscape for criminals.

ONS data shows keyless entry was the most common method of access for vehicle thefts in England and Wales in the year ending March 2020, accounting for more than a third (36%) of incidents. This increased from 13% in the previous year.

The data also reveals that three quarters of vehicle-related thefts (76%) occurred during the hours of darkness.

Aviva said the proportion of incidents where vehicles were actually taken in the dark – as opposed to items taken from vehicles – has actually fallen, suggesting thieves are becoming more daring.

Alec Reeder, performance lead at Aviva General Insurance, said: “While vehicle security has developed and improved in many ways, unfortunately criminal activity is evolving too. Over the past two years, we’ve found claims for stolen keyless vehicles are twice as likely as those for non-keyless vehicles.

“While theft claims account for only a small proportion of our vehicle claims overall, we understand that a stolen car can be very distressing for owners. We’d encourage people to take extra precautions, particularly at this time of year, when thieves have the added advantage of reduced daylight.

“Seemingly old-fashioned mechanical devices – such as a steering wheel or foot pedal lock – can be a useful visible deterrent, encouraging thieves to think twice. Other steps include using a signal blocking pouch for keys, or parking in a garage or secure area where possible. Cars really can be gone in 60 seconds, so it’s vital that motorists stay one step ahead of the criminals.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Metropolitan Police data has revealed that tool theft from a vehicle has increased by 25% in the past year – accounting for a third of all tool thefts recorded in the capital in 2021 and 2022.

There were 34,712 tools stolen in London alone from January 2021 to October 2022. That’s a 62% increase on the 21,445 tools stolen from January 2019 to December 2020.

Tradespeople are 10 times more likely to experience tool theft from a vehicle than they are from a building site or their place of work – with only 14% of cases leading to the suspect being identified.

The Tool Theft in London 2022 report, collated by Herts Tools, come from a freedom of information request to the Metropolitan Police.

The data reveals the impact of tool theft in London, the most affected industries and the types of tools that are targeted most often.

Just 0.3% of all cases (3 cases per 1,000) between January 2021 and October 2022 ended in a charge for the suspect.

A suspect is 20 times less likely to be charged for tool theft from a vehicle than they are for any other theft category.

Stefano Lobban, director at Herts Tools, said: “It’s disappointing to see that the tool theft epidemic is getting worse in London, particularly from vehicles that now often have theft deterrents in place.

“It’s not surprising to see that high-price items such as powered hand tools are still the most sought-after by thieves. Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, the trade for secondhand (and potentially stolen) tools is booming, tempting more people into stealing tools

“We’re urging those across all trades to double-check they have theft security measures in place, to avoid falling victim to crime.”

How to prevent tool theft

• Don’t store tools in your van overnight.
• Get a tool safe if you have to leave any tools in your van.
• Always lock your van’s doors during the day, to keep opportunistic thieves out.
• Park in a busy area covered by CCTV.
• Fit an alarm to your van.
• Mark tools with your name and postcode.
• Use security tags or chips to deter thieves and help recovery if something is stolen.
• Apply brightly coloured paint to make them more identifiable and less attractive to thieves.

By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

 Electric vehicle (EV) drivers have outlined what amenities they would like access to when charging their plug-in car away from their home.

One in five (21%) electric vehicle drivers look for retail and hospitality amenities at dedicated service stations, according to new research from Deloitte.

It found that top amenities sought by EV drivers whilst charging include coffee and beverages (64%), bathroom access (56%), Wi-Fi connectivity (55%), snacks and light meals (43%), and a lounge or sitting area (42%).

Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, said: “Traditional amenities such as coffees and bathroom access remain a priority for consumers, however there is growing demand for other retail services that consumer businesses should consider trapping into as drivers wait for their vehicles to charge.”

The Deloitte research also revealed a third (36%) of EV drivers say they are prepared to wait between 21 and 40 minutes to charge from empty to 80% battery capacity, with one in four (25%) prepared to wait between 41 minutes and an hour.

Hamilton continued: “Charge times are improving greatly with the development of battery technology and rapid chargers, but the charging window is widening both the consumer base and current time spent at service stations.

“Consumers are also signalling that they want more services and amenities made available to them during this time, presenting an opportunity for retailers and hospitality businesses to generate new revenue streams.”

The findings, based on responses from over 1,500 UK consumers, also reflected ongoing growth in hybrid working arrangements, with one in ten EV drivers indicating access to a private meeting room as useful while waiting for their vehicle to charge.

Andreas Scriven, head of leisure and hospitality at Deloitte said: “Changing working patterns mean many businesses are adapting their spaces and product offerings for consumers.

“As remote working becomes more prevalent, there will likely be increased consumer demand for ‘third spaces’ to work from when not in the office or at home.

“This also opens up opportunities for hospitality businesses to create dedicated workspaces, perhaps with additional benefits such as coffee and Wi-Fi, and expand product ranges to serve on-the-go workers using their vehicle charging time to work.”

In terms of leisure time, one in five EV drivers also said they would make use of a full-service restaurant whilst their vehicle charged at a public location.

Scriven continued: “Greater electric vehicle adoption has prompted a new market for hospitality services, with battery charging times also doubling as leisure time.

“Those businesses that look to new charge point locations and create the venues and services that consumers are demanding will make the most of the opportunities posed by EV charge time windows.”

The Global Automotive Consumer Study is an annual survey exploring consumer attitudes towards new automotive technology. The study, of driving-age consumers, is fielded in 24 countries and designed to be nationally representative of the overall population in each market.

The 2023 study includes more than 26,000 consumer responses across 24 global markets. The UK sample size was 1,514 and fielded between 21 and 29 September 2022. By Graham Hill Thanks To Fleet News

Before I explain that EV’s are cheaper to service than petrol and diesel cars I need to point out two things which I’ll be discussing in my soon to be launched podcast. Firstly we haven’t been told the frequency of servicing. Many petrol and diesel cars have had service intervals stretched out to 18 months with some even 24 months whereas many EV’s I’ve looked into recommend 12 month servicing.

The other thing I would mention is the cost and down time when it comes to repair work. Tesla had 19 recalls last year requiring cars to be taken into a repair centre 6 times (the rest of the recalls were repaired Over The Air (OTA) remotely). And other reports suggest that when electric cars need to be repaired, following a breakdown, they cost the most and are off the road the longest. I just wanted to bring in some balance.

Electric vehicles (EVs), on average, cost £103 to service, significantly cheaper than petrol or diesel models, new data from BookMyGarage.com suggests.

Looking at average values based on bookings made through the BookMyGarage.com website between January and December last year, diesel cars were the most expensive to service, costing £163 on average, with hybrid vehicles ranking second (£159), followed by petrol cars (£151).

Furthermore, overall average maintenance bills (including MOT tests, servicing and repairs) cost up to 43% less for EVs compared to other fuel types, it said.

Jessica Potts, head of marketing at BookMyGarage.com, explained: “The nature of EV powertrains not requiring engine oil changes, fuel filters, air filters or spark plugs means that servicing an electric vehicle requires less labour and fewer replacement parts and fluids, helping to lower costs for motorists.

“That said, servicing is still essential for EVs from a safety perspective, so the throughput of vehicles in workshops and the business opportunity for garages should remain similar to ICE vehicles – much of the cost saving is from fewer replacement parts rather than a reduction in labour.”

She continued: “As ICE vehicle drivers begin to move over to EVs in the coming years, and the infrastructure of the UK for electric vehicles on the road continues to improve, opportunities for EV-qualified garages will grow rapidly.

“Garages that are not qualified to service EVs will miss out on vital business and be faced with a shrinking market.”

By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News