Enso’s new all-season electric van tyre made in Iris factory
Following the news of the electric-vehicle-tyre-orientated brand’s nomination for the EarthShot prize, Enso Tyres have release a preview of the company’s new electric van tyre.
Following the news of the electric-vehicle-tyre-orientated brand’s nomination for the EarthShot prize, Enso Tyres have release a preview of the company’s new electric van tyre.
On Saturday 16 September Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV) hosted a successful first event for garages eager to find out more about electric vehicle opportunities. Nine garage staff attended an informal action-packed day with Cleevely EV Managing Director Matt Cleevely and top technical trainer Alistair Finch, investigating the equipment, space and business planning needed to successfully integrate EV service and repair into their independent garage businesses.
Made from 65 per cent recycled and biomaterials, the TM1 Eco Power is described as “a testament of…on-going commitment to a more productive and sustainable future for agriculture, aiming at decreasing fossil fuel dependency and increasing product circularity, while vastly improving customer’s operational performance”. Engineered for the new generation of electric tractors, the TM1 Eco Power tyre “prioritises sustainability” and but also features ultra-low rolling resistance properties for low energy consumption.
A week before we went to press, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK would no-longer be phasing out ICE vehicles by 2030. Rather, the deadline would be pushed back to 2035. Not only was that decision a u-turn, it was a policy decision explicitly designed to slow down sales of electric vehicles, as number 10’s official statement at the time testifies: “Under revised plans, the Government will move back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years, so all sales of new cars from 2035 will be zero emission. This will enable families to wait to take advantage of falling prices over the coming decade if they wish to.”
Just a week after pushing back the deadline for transitioning to electric vehicles to 2035, the government has set out the percentage of new zero emission cars manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. The zero emission vehicle mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. The 2035 end of sale date puts the UK in line with other major global economies, including France, Germany, Sweden and Canada.
Roads Minister Richard Holden has confirmed allocations for 64 local authorities across England from the £80 million investment in the Bus Service Improvement Plan+ (BSIP+) for 2024-25. Local authorities can use the funding to improve local buses by bringing in new services or routes, extending timetables through new morning or evening buses, or by making tickets cheaper.
In the week prior to Rishi Sunak’s announcement that the ICE ban would be pushed back from 2030 to 2035, 42 per cent of drivers planning to buy a new car said they expected it to be a low-emissions vehicle (either fully electric or hybrid), according to research carried out for Kwik Fit. However, following the announcement, Kwik Fit’s researchers found that the proportion planning to opt for a low-emissions vehicle has now dropped back to 38 per cent. The figures indicate that the number of car buyers planning to choose an EV or hybrid has dropped by more than two million since the ban has moved from 2030 to 2035.
‘Furore’, ‘about turn’, ‘climb down’ – all of these expressions have been levelled at the UK Government on release of the news that the much-vaunted and well-publicised deadline for the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel internal combustion engine, (or ICE) vehicles has been put back five years, from 2030 to 2035. On the other hand, the news has also been described as ‘sensible’, ‘pragmatic’ and ‘more transparent’, so which stance is the correct one? And what are the reasons behind the change in attitude, and what are the reactions of the various players in the automotive sector? A press release issued from 10 Downing Street says that: “Under revised plans, the Government will move back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years, so all sales of new cars from 2035 will be zero emission. This will enable families to wait to take advantage of falling prices over the coming decade if they wish to.” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged that the going could be tough, saying: “There will be resistance – and we will meet it. Because I am determined to change our country and build a better future for our children. Nothing less is acceptable.” Following a mixed reaction from the NFDA, other automotive industry associations have added their opinions to the move.
On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, the UK government announced that the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 has been pushed back to 2035. The National Franchised Dealers Association surveyed its members on this issue in August 2023; 60 per cent of respondents supported an alignment with the European Union, emphasising a lack of confidence in the Government’s current plan to deliver the necessary support the industry needs in achieving the 2030 deadline.
On Friday 15 September, the NFDA responded to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee’s Electric Vehicle Call for Evidence which aims to better understand how the Government will achieve its upcoming 2030 and 2035 deadlines for the phase-out of non-zero emission vehicles and to understand the costs/benefits associated with the 2030 phase-out date.
A new survey from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) on auto-buying intentions finds that EU automakers’ battery-electric vehicle (BEV) growth goals look ambitious, with just 16 per cent of private buyers in Europe favouring them. 44 per cent opting for hybrids that play to BMW, Mercedes and Toyota’s strengths and disadvantage pure-play Tesla. Few charging points, range anxiety and high prices are the top concerns amongst respondents. The inaugural auto-buying questionnaire surveyed 1,500 adults planning to buy a car in the next 12 months in the five largest European markets of Germany, UK, France, Italy and Spain – together these making up about 75 per cent of the region’s sales.
With over 1.2 million plugin vehicles across the UK, and with World EV day on 9 September, wheel alignment specialist Straightset has produced an infographic highlighting key facts about electric vehicles (EV) and ultimately arguing that wheel alignment is even more important on EVs.
The Tire Industry Association will hold a special Right to Repair/Electric Vehicle (EV) Forum on Monday, 30 October, the day before the opening of the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The two interlinked topics are at the forefront of tyre and automotive servicers’ minds around the world, as the health of an independent aftermarket increasingly depends on the ability to access car data from complex OEM systems. There is a relative consensus that legislative support is required to ensure independent servicers’ right to repair vehicles. At the same time, electric vehicles are creating new challenges for workshops, with extensive technician training a necessity to ensure workplace safety. These issues and more will be discussed with key industry stakeholders, including tyre dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and activists between 13:30 and 15:00 in Melrose 4 at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
Teams competing in this year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) will drive on the first motorsport tyres to feature Enliten technology. Furthermore, one of the tyre specifications that Bridgestone custom designed for the 1,860-mile (3,000 km) route through Australia contains 63 per cent recycled and renewable materials.
Leeds City Council has opened the UK’s first solar powered Park and Ride in Stourton, serviced by electric buses that link the Park and Ride to Leeds city centre. Stourton is Leeds’s third Park and Ride site and the first that is powered by solar modules coupled with a battery storage system, with carbon emissions being reduced by approximately 471,000 KGCO2e in 2022.
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