Month: January 2023

More than a third of UK drivers want the government to scrap smart motorways in 2023, a new survey has revealed.

What Car? Spoke to 1,698 motorists on what policy priorities should be for the Government and local authorities in 2023.

More than a third – 37.3 per cent – said that smart motorways should be scrapped, contrasting the 3.6 per cent who would rather see the projects completed as planned.

However, the biggest priority for 2023 was seen to be fixing potholes – with 58.9 per cent of those questioned choosing this option.

A previous study by What Car? found that local authorities across Britain paid out more than £12 million in compensation to motorists who had their cars damaged by poor road surfaces and potholes between 2018 and 2021.

Some 40.8 per cent of respondents also stated that they wanted the country’s EV charging infrastructure improved.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “Smart motorways have a long way to go in convincing many drivers, with our research highlighting just how negative the public mood is towards the technology.

“The other priorities from drivers reflect the driving reality of today. Poor road surfaces and a lack of charging infrastructure for electric drivers, as well as continuing question marks on how things like Fuel Duty will be replaced in the future, should all be at the top of the checklist for policy makers.”

A quarter of those questioned also wanted clarification on how fuel duty will be replaced as more buyers opt for battery-powered vehicles.

The average waiting time for a new electric car has reduced as more drivers delay the purchase of an EV due to high energy prices.

According to EV website Electrifying.com, customers placing an order in January 2023 will be waiting an average of 28 weeks for a new electric car, down from the average 35 weeks in October.

The drop off in demand is said to have been caused by ‘drivers pausing purchases in the face of higher energy prices and the cost of living crisis’, as well as slowly recovering production numbers.

Electrifying says the average wait has been brought down by Tesla, which has new versions of its popular Model Y and Model 3 available for delivery in just two to four weeks. Renault’s EVs – the Zoe and Megane E-Tech Electric – also have an estimated waiting time of just four weeks.

The waiting times of many other EVs has dropped significantly in recent months, with those buying an Audi e-tron GT now facing a six-month wait, rather than the 18 months stated in October 2022.

Currently the EVs with the longest waiting times are the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lexus UX300e, MG ZS EV, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and Volkswagen’s ID.3, ID.4 and ID.Buzz, all of which have an average lead time of 12 months.

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said: “The news that waiting times are decreasing by a significant amount will be welcomed by many, however it also signals a change in consumer behaviour driven by the cost-of-living crisis.

“But going into the new year, we need to start seeing more affordable cars brought to market to encourage private buyers to make the switch; at the moment there are just three electric cars available which are priced under £30,000 and the lack of affordable models is having a detrimental effect on the market.”

Pro driver Ken Block has died aged 55 following a snowmobile accident, his team has confirmed.

Hoonicorn Racing said in a statement posted to Instagram today (Jan 3): “It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today

“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”

The accident took place in Utah’s Wasatch County, with the Sheriff’s Office stating that Block ‘was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him’.

‘He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident’.

The Sheriff’s Office also states that Block was riding as part of a group but ‘was alone when the accident occurred’.

Block became famous for his various successes behind the wheel, including during the longstanding Gymkhana series of internet videos, which saw him piloting a number of high-powered and upgraded cars around inner-city challenges with jumps, slides and hairpins.

He was also the co-founder of footwear company DC Shoes.

Tributes have been flooding in since the announcement, with former Top Gear presenter James May thanking Block for ‘some hilarious days out’ and CEO of Ford Jim Farley calling the rally star ‘an innovator, a talented driver and a marketing genius’.

The growth in sales of new electric cars in 2023 will be suppressed by high prices and concerns over charging infrastructure, according to analysis.

Consumer website Electrifying.com estimated that around 350,000 new electric cars will be sold in the UK next year.

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show registrations of new electric cars are on track to reach nearly 250,000 this year.

Electrifying.com founder Ginny Buckley described the expected growth in 2023 as “impressive” but warned it will be hampered by “various headwinds in the economy and supply chain”.

She said: “We still need to see more affordable cars brought to market to encourage private motorists to make the switch.

“At the moment there are just three electric cars priced under £30,000 and the lack of choice at an affordable price point is having a detrimental effect on mainstream consumers.

“We also need a public charging network that people can rely on.

“This means increasing the numbers of chargers, improving their reliability and making sure that pricing is fair.”

Auto Trader reported that electric models accounted for fewer than a fifth (19%) of new car inquiries sent to retailers through its online marketplace in November, down from 27% in June.

Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK will be banned from 2030.