Audi Extends The Range Of Existing e-Tron Models With A Software Update

Thursday, 9. December 2021

Drivers of Audi e-tron models manufactured between 2019 and 2020 can unlock an additional 12 miles of range with a free software update.

The upgrade is applicable to 55 Quattro variants, built between September 2018 and November 2019, of which there are 1,655 in the UK.

It can be installed at an Audi service centre.

The update expands the usable capacity of the car’s 95kWh battery to to 86kWh and optimises the control of the front electric motor.

In normal driving mode, the motor attached to the rear axle is responsible for propulsion. For improved efficiency, the front electric motor is now almost completely disconnected and powered off – and only when more power is needed do both motors come into play.

The update also improves cooling. The thermal management system, which consists of four separate circuits, regulates the temperature of the high-voltage components more efficiently. Modifying the control system made it possible to reduce the volume flow rates in the coolant circuit, thus reducing energy consumption.

The cooling system is the basis for fast DC charging, long battery life, and consistent driving performance, even under high loads.

“At Audi, we deliver progress through technology – and there’s no clearer demonstration of that than the free software and range update we’ve just launched for our existing e-tron 55 quattro customers,” said Andrew Doyle, director of Audi UK.

“As we shift our focus to the world of electric vehicles, we’re channelling our pioneering spirit and world-renowned technological expertise into the reinvention of our company as a leading light in the field of sustainable mobility.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Greater Electric Vehicle Charging Competition At Motorway Services Following CMA Ruling.

Thursday, 9. December 2021

All motorway drivers will benefit from competition on pricing for electric vehicle charging at motorway services after exclusive agreements were ruled out as part of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation.

Gridserve, which acquired the Electric Highway from Ecotricity in June, has offered legally-binding assurances, known as commitments, to the CMA.

It says that it will not enforce exclusive rights in contracts with Extra, MOTO or Roadchef, after 2026, which currently cover around two-thirds of motorway service stations.

In doing so, Gridserve has committed to reducing the length of the exclusive rights in the current contracts with MOTO by around two years and Roadchef by around four years (the contract with the third operator, Extra, is due to end in 2026).

Furthermore it says it will not enforce exclusive rights at any Extra, MOTO or Roadchef sites that have been granted funding under the UK government’s Rapid Charging Fund (RCF).

This means that, where funding has been granted, competitor charge point operators will be able to install charge points regardless of the exclusive element of the Electric Highway’s contracts.

Each of the motorway service station operators – Extra, MOTO and Roadchef – and Gridserve have also offered commitments not to take any action that would undermine the above commitments.

Andrea Coscelli, CMA chief executive, said: “One of the biggest stumbling blocks to getting people to switch to electric cars is the fear that they won’t be able to travel from A to B without running out of charge.

“Millions of people make a pitstop for fuel at motorway service stations every day, so it’s crucial that people can trust that electric charge points will do the same job.

“Healthy competition is key to ensuring that drivers have a greater choice of charge points where they need them, and for a fair price.”

The CMA believes that opening up competition on motorways, while ensuring the sector has greater investment, is the right direction of travel – and good news for current drivers of electric cars and for people thinking of buying one.

“We’d now like to hear from businesses and drivers themselves on these proposed commitments,” added Coscelli.

In July, the CMA launched a competition investigation into the Electric Highway’s contracts with MOTO, Roadchef and Extra, alongside publishing the findings of its market study into the electric vehicle charging sector.

The CMA’s investigation examined the Electric Highway’s long-term, exclusive contracts with Extra, MOTO and Roadchef for the motorway service stations they operate.

In particular, it was concerned that provisions in those contracts granting exclusivity to the Electric Highway may be: preventing competitor charge point operators from operating at motorway service areas; could impede the successful roll-out of the Government’s anticipated RCF; and may result in drivers losing out on competitive prices and reliable charge points as a result of a lack of competition at motorway service areas.

The CMA believes that the commitments offered by Gridserve will address its competition concerns and open up competition in the market ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

Significant new investments are due to be made by Gridserve ahead of expected demand between 2021 and 2025. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

New Towing Rules Planned To Be Announced In November Now Delayed

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

New rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car, expected to take effect from Monday (November 15), have been delayed.

No reason was given by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which said on the Government website that the new towing rules will now be introduced at a “later date, and as soon as possible”.

It announced in September that car and trailer driving tests would no longer be required, with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) updating driving licence records automatically.

The category B+E, it said, would be added to photocard driving licences when they are renewed. Tests, it added, would no longer be available after September 20, 2021.

Jonathan White, legal and compliance director from National Accident Helpline, said: “We welcome the delay in the introduction of these changes and hope that the Government makes use of the extra time to consider them in more detail, ensuring that the safety of drivers is considered as the top priority.

“The changes will see millions of drivers simultaneously given the right to tow a trailer of considerable weight, without needing any previous experience or training in driving while towing a load – all at a time of year when visibility and conditions are at their poorest, bringing an increased element of risk to drivers.”

What are you currently allowed to tow?

You will not be affected by the changes if you passed your car driving test before January 1, 1997.

You are usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). You are also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded.

If you passed your car driving test from January 1, 1997, to January 18, 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:

  • A car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total).
  • A trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total).

You would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

If you passed your car driving test from January 19, 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:

  • A car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total).
  • A trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

You would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

What you can do until the towing law changes?

Until the law changes, you must continue to follow the current rules about what you are allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test, says DVSA.

You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to six penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Road Deaths And Serious Injuries Substantially Down During 2020 Lockdown

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

About 300 deaths and more than 6,000 serious injuries were prevented due to lighter traffic in 2020, compared with 2019, new analysis from Brake suggests.

The decline in deaths and serious injuries – the first in several years – should herald a renewed road safety focus said Brake at the start of Road Safety Week (November 15-21).  

Road deaths and serious injuries declined across Britain, with the biggest drops seen in Scotland, followed by Wales, South West England, and London.

The areas with the biggest reductions in those killed or seriously injured in percentage terms were Scotland, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber, North East England and the East of England.

There were, however, still 1,460 deaths and more than 22,000 serious injuries on roads in 2020. Across the country, South East England was the only region to see an increase in deaths last year (239 up from 214 in 2019) – an increase of 12%.

Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at Brake, said: “Reductions in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads – due to lockdown restrictions last year – are to be welcomed but should also inspire more action to make roads safer as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels.”

As traffic levels rise again, Road Safety Week celebrated the work of road safety heroes across the country who work to tackle deaths and serious injuries and turn the one-year drop into a downward trend.

This year’s campaign also celebrates the invaluable efforts of the emergency services, including those who police the roads and save lives, at the roadside and in hospitals, and the work of the National Road Victim Service, caring for the emotional and practical needs of road victim families, as well as community services including mental health services and disability and peer support charities.

Wakeford said: “Road Safety Week is the UK’s biggest annual road safety campaign and is a great opportunity to speak up for road safety.

“This year everyone can acknowledge and celebrate the heroic efforts of people working to save lives on roads across the country – and recognise that we can all be road safety heroes by using roads safely and taking actions for road safety in our families, schools, communities and where we work.

“We would urge everyone to visit the Road Safety Week website for loads of ways to take part in the ongoing campaigns.”

Brake, which co-ordinates the annual campaign, is calling for individuals, communities and organisations to share stories of their own road safety heroes – through social media, in schools, in company team meetings or special events.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “While the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, we’re always working to make them even safer – and we very much welcome the drop in casualties during the pandemic.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to help see further reductions, including through our Think! campaign, which tackles behaviours that can lead to serious road incidents and our ongoing review of roads policing.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

October Used Car Prices in Auction Hit 2nd Highest On Record.

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Used car values reached the second highest on record at BCA in October with the average car selling for £3,000 more than a year ago.

October used car values averaged £11,295 at BCA, maintaining the pattern of consistently high average used car values this year. Year-on-year, average monthly values are up 38.6%.

Stuart Pearson, COO BCA UK, said: “October felt like the first month for a long time, where the market started to behave exactly as it usually would at this time of year. Whilst prices remained resilient, many people took the opportunity to get away which shifted the supply and demand dynamic back in favour of the buyer for the first time in a long time.”

The weekly data highlights the stability of average values at BCA throughout October.  Values remained around £11,700 for much of the month, before dipping just below £11,000 at the end of October.  At the highest weekly point in October, year-on-year values were ahead of the same week in 2020 by 49%.

Pearson added: “The market may have eased back from some of the frenzied activity seen in recent months, however with very little certainty around new car supply, average used car values remain robust.  It doesn’t feel like it would take a lot to change for the market to reignite, particularly as we move towards the opportunity that the New Year presents for retailers.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Mercedes Accused Of Further Emissions Fraud

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Mercedes-Benz is facing fresh allegations of using illegal defeat devices to cheat emissions tests, this time affecting its Euro 6 compliant six-cylinder 3.0-litre BlueTec engine.

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (Environmental Action Germany) has published a report identifying eight previously unknown defeat devices in certain Mercedes E-Class E350 diesel models.

In DUH’s view, these defeat devices result in nitrogen oxide emissions on the road being up to 500% above the legally prescribed limit.

Jürgen Resch, DUH’s national director, said: “It shows us for the first time how the company succeeds in complying with the legal limits in the test laboratory, while literally flooding our cities with harmful nitrogen oxides during real road use.

“The manipulation of the exhaust gas purification is not carried out because it is necessary for physical reasons or for the purpose of engine protection. The reason is as simple as it is cynical: it is about maximising profits at the expense of the environment and the health of city residents.”

The DUH tested a 2016 Mercedes E350 CDI Estate and found evidence of multiple ‘defeat devices’. It said the devices activate in driving situations that are common in road use conditions and stated that even under normal driving conditions, at least one defeat device almost always actively prevents the improvement of emissions

Three of the defeat devices identified by the DUH are said to depend on an “ageing factor” that reduces the amount of Adblue used as the vehicle’s milage increases. The report stated: “There is no plausible physical reason for the existence of any of them.”

The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) said it sees no evidence of previously unknown defeat devices at Mercedes-Benz in the DUH report.

“In the report, eight defeat devices of the relevant model with the OM 642 diesel engine are named. We are aware of these,” said a KBA spokesman on Friday. They have already been checked and found to be “not inadmissible”.

The KBA had already demanded a software update for the model under investigation in the DUH report. The defeat devices were removed in the updated software and the nitrogen oxide emissions were subsequently also below the legal limit value during road testing.

Mercedes is among a number of car makers facing legal action for emissions misrepresentation.

The DUH report suggests that other Mercedes vehicles with comparable engines and technologies contain comparable illegal defeat devices.

Mercedes-Benz told Car magazine: “The outlined calibrations are known. In our view, these are not to be assessed as illegal defeat devices in the interaction and overall context of the highly complex emission control system.

“The vast majority of rulings in German regional courts and higher regional courts continue to be in Daimler’s favour: In approximately 95%of cases, the courts rule in favour of the company.

“At the regional court level, there are more than 15,500 decisions dismissing lawsuits in favour of the company; in only about 900 cases was the decision against the company.

“There are now around 900 decisions in our favour at the higher regional courts, and only three decisions against us.

“The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has also confirmed key points of Daimler AG’s legal opinion in several decisions.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

As Electric Vehicle Sales Increase Will We See The Introduction Of Road Pricing?

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Transport academics and specialists have been queueing up in recent months to publicise their conversion to the idea that some form of road pricing or travel taxation to replace our current system of fuel duty and vehicle excise is not only desirable, but inevitable.

Increasingly, as the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has said, doing nothing is now not a viable option, economically or politically – and perhaps even socially…but the road to an acceptable new equilibrium is uncharted and full of potholes.

It’s been widely observed that Government has to find a way of filling the £40bn+ gap in revenues from the current system of taxing motoring. It’s clear, too, that fuel duty and road tax (VED) are blunt tools that haven’t been able to deal with the real social costs of driving, from emissions to congestion.

Without other action to tackle car use, the lower cost of running EVs is likely to mean greater vehicle use with associated congestion and space occupation currently blighting many cities.

The recent Oxford CREDS report highlighted that we’re not going to be able to meet net zero targets without reducing car use in addition to transforming the technology we use to power those cars. (Some policymakers are already committed to change; Scotland aims to cut national car mileage 20% by 2030 while London is targeting 80% of journeys to be non-car by 2041.)

As Zemo’s lifecycle work shows, tailpipe emissions are only part of the story. The manufacture and disposal of vehicles and creating the capacity to supply energy to them all have an emissions impact.

As in many areas of life, for transport, efficiency must be a main focus of any new approach.

Road pricing has a back-story, of course, and as a label carries a great deal of baggage, so we’ll need to communicate much more effectively than in the past why it’s needed now; how proven (GPS and associated) technology is now commonplace, and how its introduction can be fair, reduce traffic congestion and accelerate a necessary transition to the cleanest, most efficient (and, perhaps, smaller) vehicles (some of which will still be cars, of course).

Importantly, the public is much more aware that we’re facing a “triple whammy” of emergencies in climate, air quality and congestion. But, because of the collective memory of the terms ‘road pricing’ and ‘road user charging’, perhaps we need a new term to describe the benefits a new approach could bring in terms of climate, air pollution and space.

More and more people are arguing that the time for road pricing has arrived. They say it has the potential to influence how, when and where we travel.

It could help to promote active travel choices, speed the introduction of EVs and other zero/low emission vehicles and provide policymakers with an effective lever to manage congestion.

It will have to be fair and not discriminate against those with fewer resources and limited travel choices. And it must be clearly understood if it’s to be accepted and effective.

As the Institute for Global Change says, the transition from our current system of vehicle taxation is under way whether we like it or not.

The transition offers us a huge opportunity to rethink our relationship with our cars and the incentives we put around their use.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Filling Station Group Opens Its First EV Charge Station

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Independent forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG), has opened its first all-electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Stretford, Manchester.

With support from its power infrastructure partner Energy Assets Networks (EAN), the site comprises eight 150kW ultra-fast charging points, which enable battery recharge in 20-40 minutes, along with retail convenience store, food to go, restroom and vehicle valeting facilities.

EAN said it has developed a common connections specification for EV charging networks that enables operators such as MFG to build their country-wide presence more efficiently.

Alan Hutton, strategic network planning director at MFG, said: “Opening our first all-EV charging station is a significant milestone for MFG, as we electrify our network across the UK.

“We have built a strong commercial partnership with EAN, founded on fast response and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

“As we roll out our dual-fuel strategy, they continue to play a key role in helping MFG electrify our locations which already serve millions of customers every week.”

EAN said it provides technical and legal expertise alongside asset values to help advance progress on Britain’s nationwide EV charging infrastructure.

Symon Gray, head of networks at EAN, added: “Electric vehicle ownership is on a rapid upward curve, reflecting both consumer demand for lower carbon technologies and growing confidence in charging network availability resulting from investment in services by leading operators such as MFG.

“We are delighted to be playing our part in creating a more sustainable approach to private mobility.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Worst Places In UK To Charge Your Electric Vehicle.

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Windsor, Swindon and Stockport have the least number of rapid chargers per electric cars, according to analysis of official statistics by the Liberal Democrats.

The research showed electric car drivers in these areas are most likely to be stranded by slower charging points, taking at least 13 hours to charge a Nissan Leaf – whereas rapid chargers take 30 minutes.

In the local authority area of Windsor and Maidenhead, there are 1,474 electric cars registered in the area for every rapid charging point.

In Stockport, there are 16,568 registered electric cars, sharing just 16 rapid charging points.

372 new rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers were installed within the last three months across the UK, as part of 1,553 new chargers installed.

The statistics reveal that less than one in five (19%) of all EV charging points in the UK are rapid chargers, whereas nearly 6,000 public charging points fall into the slow bracket (3kW-5kW).

The Government cut the plug-in car grant by £500, earlier this year.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for VAT cuts for cheaper priced EVs from 20% to 5% as well as increased in investment in EV charging points, particularly in rural areas.

Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for transport, said: “Too many electric car owners face the anxiety of being marooned in a car park for hours on end because the Government is installing the wrong kind of charging points.

“The Government needs to get on with it now or risk a new wave of electric car owners becoming stranded, or worse still, going back to diesel.

“For all the big talk we have heard from the Government at COP26 on electric cars, the reality of their lack of investment shows a completely different picture.

“Instead of vague words, Liberal Democrats are calling for a cut in VAT on the lowest cost electric vehicles and a massive expansion of rapid chargers, particularly in rural areas.”

A freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed that 52% of UK councils made no investment in EV charging infrastructure, last year.

They are also calling for the Government to replace its own current vehicle fleet with ultra-low emission vehicles by 2022, and encourage the rest of the public sector, including local authorities and the NHS, to set their own targets. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Was COP26 A Success When It Comes To Electrification?

Wednesday, 1. December 2021

Vehicle manufacturers have been criticised for failing to sign-up to a COP26 pledge to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans.

The landmark deal on zero emission cars and vans was unveiled on Wednesday, November 10 to coincide with Transport Day at COP26, with leaders committing to working towards 100% zero emission new car and van sales by 2040 or earlier.

Twenty-four countries, six major vehicle manufacturers – GM, Ford, Mercedes, BYD, Volvo and JLR – 39 cities, states and regions, 28 fleets and 13 investors all jointly set out their determination for all new car and van sales to be zero emission by 2040 globally and 2035 in leading markets.

However, several major brands failed to sign the declaration, including Toyota, Volkswagen and Kia.

Volkswagen says the deal would not work for developing countries that lack renewable energy sources and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). While it stressed it is “fully committed” to electrification, it said that the pace of this will differ from region to region depending on “local political decisions driving EV and infrastructure investments”.

Furthermore, it said: “We believe that an accelerated shift to electro-mobility has to go in line with an energy transition towards 100% renewables.”

Toyota says it operates as a business in more than 170 countries worldwide and has consistently achieved “industry-leading vehicle CO2 reductions”.

“This is based on developing and bringing to market a full line up of electrified vehicles to expand the options for reducing CO2 practically and sustainably – including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” it said.

“We will provide the most suitable vehicles, including zero-emission products, in response to the diverse economic environments, clean energy and charging infrastructure readiness, industrial policies, and customer needs in each country and region.”

Kia, meanwhile, says it is aiming to achieve full electrification in major markets by 2040. Kia aims to fully electrify its vehicle line-up in Europe by 2035, and from 2040, Kia’s line-up in key markets around the globe will also exclusively consist of electrified models.

Hosung Song, president and CEO of Kia, said: ““For us, it is not only about setting goals and reaching targets. It is about setting a vision that will inspire others to join the movement to benefit humanity and protect the environment.”

However, electric car manufacturer Polestar is calling for “radical change” in the car industry to accelerate decarbonisation.

Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar chief executive, said: “Car companies are still talking about selling petrol and diesel cars until 2040.

“Considering the lifetime of a car, they will still be driving and polluting the second half of this century. They are delaying one of the most powerful climate protection solutions available to us.”

Ingenlath added that “large parts of the automotive industry seem to be switching to electric vehicles as slowly as they can”.

Ingenlath acknowledges the complexity of the challenge for traditional car makers, as well as the costs involved. He also welcomes moves by OEMs to develop electric cars. However, he fundamentally disagrees with their decisions to develop new generations of petrol and diesel engines.

He said: “This is not the time for incremental change, but radical change. Can you imagine describing this to a child today: 30 years from now, cars will still produce toxic gases, making the air harsher to breathe?

“Building and selling electric cars isn’t the end point, it is the beginning. We will need at least as much attention on creating a clean supply chain and ultimately recycling.

“An electric car is a good start, and a pathway to true climate neutral mobility, but, clean means clean from start to finish. Polestar is not perfect, but we are working at being better.”

Louis Rix, chief operating officer and co-founder of CarFinance 247, added: “Governments must lead change ahead of the EV transition. However, all the while some of the largest governments in the world fail to back the deal to eliminate new car emissions by 2040, car manufacturers can’t be expected to support it too.

“These motoring companies are big players within economies governed by the likes of Germany, China and the US. Ultimately, both governments and manufacturers must be concerned about the acceleration towards a purely EV industry.

“We know that the charging infrastructure in the UK is not strong enough, and no nation has declared themselves ready for entire EV ownership. Furthermore, our research has found that one in five UK adults don’t like EVs, with 65% reasoning that there aren’t enough charging points.

“Only once these concerns are quashed and dismissed can we expect the governments (followed by the manufacturers) to back the pledge. The onus is of course on governments, but motor manufacturers must work with them to achieve solidarity on the EV pledge.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News