Month: April 2020

Karma Automotive has shared details of its new 1,085bhp electric vehicle platform that could underpin high-performance cars of the future.

The American company’s newest E-Flex Platform uses a dual-motor set-up to provide four-wheel drive, with an astonishing claimed torque output of 14,000Nm.

That would contribute to a targeted sub-two-second 0-60mph time.

Meanwhile, Karma says the platform has the batteries mounted within the floor to improve weight distribution, with a targeted range of 400 miles.

Kevin Zhang, chief technology officer at Karma Automotive, said: “Our latest E-Flex platform is well-suited for supercar configurations and is designed to be outfitted to high-performance vehicles such as Karma’s SC2 concept car.

“The goal of all of Karma’s E-Flex platforms is to offer our partners a multitude of electric mobility solutions with different drive motor systems and battery pack variants; our High-Performance E-Flex platform is among the most premium of these configurations, offering unprecedented performance results.”

Karma has been revealing a range of electric vehicle platforms that can be used by companies looking to build everything from supercars to commercial vehicles.

To demonstrate this versatility, the Californian company has previously revealed a level four autonomous van built on a variation of its E-Flex system.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to gradually resume production at three of its factories from May 18.

The British firm says its Solihull plant in the UK, as well as those in Austria and Slovakia, will be the first to reopen, with other locations due to restart once local pandemic-related restrictions are eased.

In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is our first priority. We are developing robust protocol and guidelines to support a safe return to work.

“We will adopt strict social distancing measures across our business and are currently evaluating a number of different measures to ensure we protect and reassure our workforce when they begin to return to work.

“We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and follow the guidance of all relevant authorities in the markets in which we operate.

“Jaguar Land Rover is doing whatever it can to support its communities through the current situation. The company’s thoughts are with those directly affected by Covid-19 and with the healthcare professionals, whose role in combating this virus is appreciated by all.”

Car production across the industry has ground to a halt in recent months as governments imposed strict lockdown procedures. However, some manufacturers have begun to restart production as restrictions have eased and new social distancing measures have been implemented.

The industry was also buoyed yesterday by confirmation from the government that dealerships could deliver cars they sell online during lockdown.

With the UK on lockdown, countless companies have taken advantage of the government’s furlough scheme to help ease the financial burden they’re facing.

Furloughed staff are not allowed to do any work that is related to their job or benefits the company during this time. They are, however, allowed to undertake training to keep themselves engaged in work before they return.

If you run a company car that includes personal use but you’ve been furloughed, you might be concerned that because you’re temporarily away from the business, you’re not allowed to drive the vehicle.

However, according to Nona Bowkis at legal consultancy Lawgistics, that’s not the case: “There is no reason why an employee cannot continue to drive the car as long as the employer is happy for them to do so and the contract allows for it.

“No amounts in respect of the vehicle can be used to calculate any furlough payment as is the case with any other benefits in kind.

“Employers should check with their insurance company to ensure the car remains covered while the employee is not working for them. We haven’t heard any reports of this being an issue but it is best practice to check to avoid any losses.

“We have heard of an issue where the employer had taken a payment holiday on the car finance which led to the employee not being able to access the usual breakdown cover for reason of default. However, this was resolved but is something again to check for.”

Earlier this week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed more than 140,000 companies had applied for the furlough scheme on its first day, with applications averaging 17,500 per hour.

Vauxhall has revealed its latest Mokka in a new image.

The car, which is heavily camouflaged, is the second generation of the popular crossover and has entered into its initial testing procedures with engineering teams.

Likely to hit forecourts in early 2021, this new vehicle will be the first Mokka to feature an all-electric powertrain, though conventional, combustion engine-powered variants will be available too. All variants will be available from launch, according to Vauxhall.

Production is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year, and Vauxhall has taken the decision to drop the ‘X’ from the earlier car’s moniker – shortening it to just ‘Mokka’.

Stephen Norman, Vauxhall’s managing director, said: “The new Vauxhall Mokka will change people’s perception of our brand.

“Not only does it show that we’re serious about electrification, but also that we’re not afraid to innovate with design, both inside and out of the car. The Mokka is still in its development phase now, but it is set to be one of Vauxhall’s most important models when it arrives with customers at the start of next year.”

The pictures give little away about the intricacies of the car’s design but showcase an upright profile and a relatively tapered off rear end. The front of the car features an upright front-end design, which is likely to incorporate design elements seen on the current Corsa.

With the onslaught of electric vehicles to the market, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by all the new buzz words.

In fact, if you’ve only ever driven petrol and diesel cars, even knowing how to compare two electric models can be tough. That’s why facts and figures such as charging capacity and battery size are so useful – the larger the numbers the faster you can charge and the further you can go.

However, new advice from Audi encourages consumers to look a little deeper, because while a high maximum charge capacity might look appealing, if that’s only achievable for short periods of time, it might not dramatically improve charge times.

To Audi, charging capacity is the maximum rate at which electricity can be fed into the vehicle, while charging speed is the time it takes for a battery to be recharged.

The reason it’s not as simple as it first appears is because you can’t simply pump maximum electricity into the battery until it’s full. It must be managed to prevent damage to the cells, so charge rates are slowed as the battery reaches capacity.

Tesla describes this process as being like filling a glass with water. At first, you can pour a lot in, but as the glass gets filled you have to slow down to avoid spilling any. That’s why car manufacturers always quote charge times to 80 per cent; Tesla owners in the company’s forum, for example, say the last 20 per cent can take almost as long as the first 80, and it will be a similar story for other makes and models.

Audi has drawn attention to the ‘charging curve’ as it says its e-tron SUV is particularly strong in this department because complex thermal management in the batteries helps to maintain an optimal temperature. It says the result is that the maximum charging capacity of 150kW can be utilised from five per cent of battery charge all the way up to 70 per cent before it starts to taper off.

It means that a 10-minute stop at a fast charger could add 68 miles of range while charging to 80 per cent should take about 30 minutes.

For most electric vehicle owners, the majority of charging will take place at home or work, where fast charge times are not important and a slower rate of charge helps prolong battery life. However, if you’re EV shopping and spend a lot of time on the motorway, comparing how long it takes to hit 80 per cent charge could be the key selling point.

The Tesla Supercharger electric vehicle charging network has been crowned Britain’s best in a survey of EV owners.

Ten of the most-used networks were scored for their ease of use, cost, speed, and reliability, with Tesla taking top honours in every category.

Early Tesla buyers got free charging for life, but Auto Express magazine, which conducted the research, said even those that pay for the service were happy with it because the chargers are easy to use, reliable, and offer charging rates upwards of 120kW.

Instavolt took second place, being the highest-ranked provider available to owners of all car makes. It placed second for charging speed, ease of use and reliability, but this good service comes at a cost, as it was ranked ninth for charging costs.

Third place was ChargePlace Scotland, which scored well across the board, let down by its eighth-place finish in the reliability segment.

Perhaps surprisingly, Ecotricity came last by a long way, placing tenth in every category.

Auto Express said: “Given the firm has contracts with numerous motorway service station operators, and its ‘Electric Highway’ is a dominant force in the UK, these marks suggest the firm has the potential to make life tricky for EV owners.”

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief at Auto Express, said: “Public chargepoints are vital for long-distance EV drivers, and their availability and reliability is of huge importance for current and future owners.

“Our data gives valuable insight into the best charging networks to use when you’re planning your route. And it shows that while many providers are doing a superb job, ease of use and good old-fashioned reliability shouldn’t be forgotten at the expense of network expansion.

“Tesla’s remarkable performance should come as little surprise to those who’ve plotted the brand’s growth. It is proof that the company knows precisely what its customers want, and delivers it to them consistently.

“And for those who don’t own or plan to buy a Tesla, Instavolt’s impressive scores mean we’re delighted to recommend the firm’s network of chargers.”

Motor insurer Admiral has pledged to hand back £110 million to car and van policyholders as claims plunge amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The Cardiff-based group said it will pay out £25 for each of the 4.4 million vehicles covered at April 20, with refunds being made by the end of May.

It said it is able to give customers the cash thanks to falling claims as fewer drivers are on the road due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The group also pledged another £80 million towards lowering prices for cover to reflect the drop in claims, as well as for further initiatives to support NHS staff and local communities.

This includes waiving all motoring claim excess fees for NHS or emergency service workers, and guaranteeing cover for customers using their vehicle to transport people, deliver medical supplies and equipment, or items to people who are self-isolating.

Cristina Nestares, chief executive of UK insurance at Admiral, said: “This is an unprecedented time when people across the country are driving significantly less than before the lockdown, and we expect this to lead to a fall in the number of claims we are seeing.

“We want to give the money we would have used to pay these claims back to our loyal customers in this difficult time.

“We have also already reflected this change in driving behaviour in our pricing for customers and will continue to do so.”

The group added that the £190 million committed is equivalent to roughly a month’s premium income, or a third of its 2019 profits.

It stressed that it has not furloughed any of its staff and continues to pay them their full salary.

It comes as figures on Monday showed that motor insurance premiums have fallen by 1% – or £6 – on average in the first quarter.

But the data from Confused.com and Willis Towers Watson also found there was little evidence of an overall pricing trend amid the uncertainty over the length of the lockdown.

Consumer group Which? called for other insurers to follow suit and offer policyholders rebates and premium price cuts.

Gareth Shaw, head of money at Which?, said: “People will remember how businesses treated them during this crisis and Admiral’s decision to provide partial refunds to all of its car and van policyholders will certainly be welcomed by customers experiencing unforeseen pressure on their finances.

“Firms that act fairly now may see that they are rewarded in the future and we encourage all other car insurers to follow Admiral’s lead.”

The Ford Mustang outsold all other sports cars in 2019 with more than 100,000 leaving dealer forecourts.

The American muscle car sold a total of 102,090 units across the globe according to new data from industry analysts IHS Markit, with sales increasing 33 per cent in Germany, 50 per cent in Poland and almost 100 per cent in France.

Sales are based on both engine variations of the Mustang, which is available with a 5.0-litre V8 GT model that appeals to purists, as well as a more affordable and economical 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit. Both engines are petrol-powered, and can be had with a coupe or convertible body style.

Jim Farley, chief operating officer at Ford Motor Company, said: “We’re proud of our growing Mustang stable and performance variants.

“From Sweden to Shanghai, more and more driving enthusiasts are enjoying the feeling of freedom and the American open road in these new Mustangs. We are honoured to serve our owners, enthusiasts and fans for 56 years and counting.”

The American market continues to be the Mustang’s biggest market, with Ford claiming it has been the country’s best-selling sports car of the past 50 years. In Europe, Mustang sales increased in 2019 by three per cent to 9,900, with 1,300 coming to the UK.

The average price of car insurance cover has risen to £809 per year, according to new data.

New figures compiled as part of the Confused.com car insurance index and based upon around six million insurance quotes made by the site each quarter found that the average quote rose by six per cent over the last 12 months.

It means prices rose by £47 in the last 12 months, and pushes the average premium price close to the record high of £858 recorded in 2011.

In addition, 46 per cent of 2,000 drivers surveyed by the company were sent an auto-renewal quote which was higher than what they were currently paying. If these people chose to shop around instead – of which 37 per cent did – each saved an average of £59. Another 17 per cent saved more than £100.

Younger drivers were hit the hardest, enduring price rises of £121 in 12 months and £55 in the past three months for 17-year-old motorists. Drivers of this age can now expect to pay £2,026 for cover.

Drivers aged 36 also saw cover costs increase by £61 year-on-year to £674. Motorists aged 67 also felt a jump in coverage costs, up £40 since last year to £485 on average.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, says: “The fact that car insurance costs have increased is not the news we need especially right now. Year on year prices are up, but over the past few months they haven’t changed that much.

“However, as a result of the lockdown the majority of people are using their cars less, it is therefore likely that we will see some change to prices in the coming months as insurers adjust to reflect this. We are constantly monitoring the situation so that we can update our customers on any changes that happen.

“Automatically renewing with your insurer might seem like the easiest, stress-free option, but it could be costly. Even if your renewal price is cheaper, or the same, it’s likely there will be another insurer out there willing to offer a better price. At Confused.com we’re so certain drivers will be able to find a better price than their current insurer that we’re offering to beat their renewal quote or give them the difference, plus £20.

“Please don’t pay more than you have to – take a few minutes to check your renewal letter and get a cheaper price because now, more than ever, it’s so important to shop around.”

Vehicle ownership in the UK has surpassed 40 million for the first time, according to new data released today.

The figures, revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), show that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use during 2019 – an increase of one per cent on the previous year.

The biggest percentage growth was recorded in the light commercial vehicle sector, which saw an increase of 2.7 per cent on the previous year to 4,527,724 units – up 28 per cent compared the previous decade.

Passenger car numbers increased by 0.8 per cent to 35,168,259 over the same period.

Thousands of these vehicles are currently in operation to help provide transport for key workers during the coronavirus crisis, as well as for performing deliveries and emergency service duties. Some 25,000 ambulance and fire service vehicles are currently in operation, along with more than 20,000 supermarket delivery trucks and lorries.

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.”

Electric vehicle ownership is also surging ahead, with more than three-quarters of a million low, ultra-low and zero-emissions cars making up that 40 million figure. The number of these cars on the road grew by 26 per cent last year, with 11,832 hybrids, 144,335 plug-in hybrids and 92,213 battery-electric vehicles now in use across the UK.

The number of diesel cars, meanwhile, fell by 0.9 per cent to 13,723,299.