Tag Archives: reveals

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO BOOST EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AS INVESTIGATION REVEALS MORE THAN 70% OF UK COUNCILS HAVE NO CHARGING STRATEGY FOR RESIDENTIAL STREETS

  • Vauxhall ‘Electric Streets of Britain’ initiative launched after exclusive data reveals 71.6% of UK councils have no published strategy for residential on-street charging
  • 40% of British households do not have a driveway, leaving millions of potential EV owners unable to charge – this rises to over 60% in urban areas1
  • Study also reveals London has more than twice the number of residential on-street charge points of all other regions of the UK combined
  • UK database launched for residents to register interest in having charge points installed, so councils and charging operators can focus investment where demand exists today
  • ‘Enablement Fund’ established by Vauxhall to help improve Local Authority understanding of residential on-street charging needs
  • Three specialist on-street charging operators – char.gy, Connected Kerb and SureCharge – have signed up to access the programme, to elevate local authority understanding of the topic
  • From 2024, every model in the Vauxhall line up will be available with a fully electric version, and from 2028 Vauxhall will only offer all-electric cars and vans
  • To find out more, or register your street, visit http://electricstreets.co.uk/

Vauxhall has joined forces with leading charge point operators to address the findings of an exclusive investigation revealing that over 70% of UK councils do not have a published strategy for residential on-street charging for electric vehicles (EVs). This leaves millions of potential EV drivers without access to charging facilities.

The investigation, carried out through a Freedom of Information application to 414 councils and local authorities across the UK, also found that 69% of local authorities have yet to install any on-street chargers.

Data provided by 289 councils up to July 1st showed that only 14,188 new charge points are planned for installation this year, which is insufficient to meet the government’s target of 300,000 charge points by the end of 2030.

In response, Vauxhall has launched the ‘Electric Streets of Britain’ initiative to ensure that drivers without driveways are not left behind in the transition to electric mobility. This initiative is in line with Vauxhall’s commitment to offer a fully electric version of every car and van model in its line-up from 2024, and to sell only electric vehicles in the UK by 2028.

Working with charge point operators char.gy, Connected Kerb, and SureCharge, Vauxhall has established an ‘Enablement Fund’ to help local authorities understand the challenges and available solutions for on-street charging. The aim is to prepare for the government’s planned ban on the sale of new combustion engine cars in 2030.

Vauxhall has also created a national database, accessible at http://electricstreets.co.uk/, where the public can register their charging needs. This will enable councils to better understand the demand for on-street charging from existing and potential EV drivers.

On-street charging is crucial for EV adoption, as 80% of all EV charging currently takes place at home.2 However, approximately 40% of UK households do not have a driveway or off-street parking, rising to 60% in urban areas. On-street charging solutions include lamp post chargers, which can be installed and operational within 30 minutes, and pavement-mounted bollards.

London currently has 12,708 residential on-street charge points installed, with plans to install an additional 6,397 over the next year. This means that London will soon have a total of 19,105 on-street charge points, more than double the number available in all other UK regions combined.

Of the councils that responded to the investigation, 45% confirmed that they have no plans to install residential on-street chargers this year.

James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, emphasizes the importance of access to charging points near homes for the successful transition to electric vehicles in the UK. He states, “We want to galvanize the needs and interests of everyone, from the public, to the councils and the charging operators to make sure that anyone without a driveway is part of that journey. We want to help educate and inform the decision-makers and enable the installation of more chargers, more quickly.”

On-street charging solutions benefit not only private motorists but also businesses. About 40% of company-owned electric vans are charged at home by employees, so the availability of on-street charge points supports businesses in transitioning to electric by providing convenient charging options for van drivers while attending residential jobs.3

Vauxhall is already a popular choice for electric cars and vans, and by 2024, every model in its lineup will have a fully electric version. From 2028, Vauxhall will exclusively offer all-electric cars and vans. Additionally, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant is set to become the first manufacturing site within the Stellantis group dedicated to producing electric vehicles.

Vauxhall’s Freedom of Information research took place between May – July 2023, encompassing 414 councils across the United Kingdom.

1 TfL Feasibility Study into Electric Vehicle Uptake and the Impacts of Associated Infrastructure (Source: TfL Electric Vehicle Charging Study)

2 Energy Saving Trust (Source: Charging Electric Vehicles – Best Practice Guide)

3 Fleet News Survey 2022

  

RollsRoyce

Rolls-Royce Reveals Droptail Coachbuild Roadster: Applied Art in Motion

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled Droptail, the next chapter in the Coachbuild story
  • Coachbuild is the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce brand, akin to Haute Couture
  • Droptail is the first modern roadster style in Rolls-Royce’s history
  • This is the most involved, progressive, and refined Coachbuild project yet
  • The aft deck section is aerodynamically functional, showcasing engineering expertise
  • The Rolls-Royce badge and Pantheon grille are reinterpreted in a bold manner
  • Four Droptails will be built, reflecting the individuality of commissioning clients

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed their latest creation, Droptail, in their ongoing Coachbuild story. Coachbuild is defined as the highest expression of the Rolls-Royce brand, much like Haute Couture in the fashion industry. Droptail marks the first-ever roadster body style in Rolls-Royce’s modern history and is the most ambitious Coachbuild project to date.

The design of Droptail includes a striking aft deck section that serves an aerodynamic purpose and demonstrates exceptional engineering skills. Additionally, the Rolls-Royce badge and Pantheon grille have been creatively reinterpreted to make a bold statement. This project is the result of a remarkable four-year collaboration with a select group of highly ambitious clients.

A total of only four Droptails will be built, each reflecting the character and preferences of its commissioning client. These unique roadsters are considered applied art, built over several years in collaboration with Rolls-Royce designers, engineers, and craftspeople. This partnership has resulted in an extraordinary motor car that is truly one-of-a-kind and represents the shared ambition of the brand and its clients.

The unveiling of Droptail also addresses the question of whether a car can be considered art. With this exceptional roadster, the answer is unequivocally yes, according to Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Droptail is the latest chapter in the Coachbuild story, which began in 2017 with the introduction of ‘Sweptail’, a unique two-door coupé. This was followed by ‘Boat Tail’ in 2021, an open-top car designed for hosting. Each Coachbuild project represents the dreams and desires of Rolls-Royce clients and showcases the brand’s ability to create highly bespoke motor cars.

The renaissance of contemporary coachbuilding showcases the art of creating something beautiful, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally resonant. The dedication and freedom within the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild department allow designers to explore bold and creative avenues that go beyond the brand’s existing design strategy.

Droptail brings back the roadster body type, breaking away from the conventional four-seat design typically associated with Rolls-Royce. The inspiration for this body style came from early Rolls-Royce roadsters that were popular among young and confident American self-drivers in the early 20th century.

With Droptail, Rolls-Royce designers took a highly distilled approach to design, studying classic models such as the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost ‘Sluggard’, the 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom Brewster New York Roadster, and the 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly. The result is a modern interpretation that captures the spirit of these early roadsters.

Droptail’s exterior design features a unique interpretation of the iconic Pantheon grille and Rolls-Royce badge. The Pantheon grille’s vanes are ‘kinked’ towards the top, creating a more informal expression of Rolls-Royce design. The grille is connected visually to the front headlamps, forming a powerful brow line. The sharp, angular ‘sail cowls’ behind the doors highlight the motor car’s two-seater configuration.

The engineering behind Droptail is also remarkable, particularly the aerodynamic functionality of the aft deck section. This section produces downforce to improve stability when the car is at high speeds. The design team worked closely with aerodynamicists to achieve this feat, resulting in a landmark innovation.

The attention to detail in Droptail’s design is evident in every aspect, including the hidden lock mechanism in the door handle and the reinterpretation of the Rolls-Royce ‘Badge of Honour’. The rear treatment of the car features nautical design elements, inspired by racing sailing yachts of the 1930s.

Droptail offers two distinct characters with its removable hard top. Without the roof, it embodies the spirit of a lithe, open-top roadster. With the roof installed, it transforms into a dramatic coupé. The roof is made from carbon fibre and incorporates electrochromic glass that can be adjusted to control the amount of light entering the interior.

The interior of Droptail is designed to create an intimate and cosseting environment for the driver and passenger. The focus was on minimalism and analogue tactility. The fascia features only three primary buttons but retains all the functionality of a contemporary Rolls-Royce. The interior design celebrates woodcraft and showcases the exceptional skills of Rolls-Royce artisans.

Droptail is built on a new, bespoke underpinning constructed from aluminium, steel, and carbon fibre. The bodywork uses carbon fibre for its compound curves, with the rear quarter panels being the largest carbon fibre panels ever created for a Rolls-Royce motor car. The drivetrain remains familiar to Rolls-Royce collectors and has been subtly enhanced for Droptail.

The meticulous execution of Droptail represents the highest expression of applied art within the Coachbuild department. This groundbreaking project sets new standards in the luxury sector and confirms that coachbuilding will play a significant role in Rolls-Royce’s long-term strategy.

Motorsport

Consumers Willing To Adopt Some In-Car Subscriptions According To Survey

A recent study by S&P Global Mobility reveals that consumers are willing to pay for connected-car services, but only for ones that offer clear value or are available with a free trial. However, they are less interested in features they won’t use or already have on their smartphones.

Automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have faced criticism for introducing subscription-based products and services in their vehicles. However, according to the S&P Global Mobility survey, consumers are generally open to subscriptions when they provide exposure to new features and technologies. When given the option of a free trial or existing subscriptions on newer vehicles, 82 percent of respondents said they would consider purchasing subscription-based services for future new-vehicle purchases.


The survey also emphasized the importance of offering value-added services through subscriptions. Paid functional upgrades, particularly enhanced navigation and advanced driver-assist system (ADA) functionality, are highly desirable. Safety features like high-beam assist and driving video recorder received the highest satisfaction ratings among connected services. However, features like heated seats or remote start garnered less interest because consumers are used to paying for these items as part of an options package.

GM’s decision to eliminate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of their native infotainment system is aimed at leveraging this trend by increasing subscription retention and providing access to more consumer usage data. The S&P Global Mobility survey highlighted that while consumers have concerns about data privacy, 74 percent of respondents said they are willing to share data for free services and consider automakers more trustworthy than technology companies like Google or Meta.

What was not evident in the survey was whether most consumers were willing to pay a monthly subscription for added performance. Mercedes-Benz is offering Acceleration Increase, a performance subscription that increases a car’s output by 20 to 24 percent on its electric vehicles. However, BMW has no plans to offer over-the-air performance upgrades for its future electric vehicles. This decision is not due to any technical issues, but rather because BMW believes the income generated by the subscription fees would not be profitable enough to cover the necessary technical requirements and regulations.

Motorsport

BMW M5 Touring Teaser Shows Off Upcoming, High-Performance Wagon

The next-generation BMW M5 will include a Touring wagon variant, and a recently released teaser provides a glimpse of its silhouette. The long-roof model is set to be released in 2024.

BMW has promised that the M5 Touring will offer “uncompromising long-distance comfort and impressive spaciousness.” The company has also confirmed that the vehicle will utilize a partially electrified drivetrain. This particular setup is believed to be related to the one found in the BMW XM, which includes a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, an electric motor, and a 29.5-kilowatt-hour battery. While the Label Red version of the SUV generates 735 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque, the power output for the M5 family remains unknown at this time.


Citreon

TOTAL COST OF POTHOLE COMPENSATION COULD HAVE FILLED AN ADDITIONAL 340,000 POTHOLES LAST YEAR, FINDS CITROËN UK REPORT

  • Exclusive Citroën UK research reveals damage compensation paid to road users in 2022 could have filled an additional 340,000* potholes.
  • More than £22.7 million** was paid out in damage compensation last year.
  • Total compensation payments since 2017 could have filled more than 2.3m potholes***.
  • Since 2017, more than 1,100 people have been injured on roads in England and Wales, 355 ‘seriously’ and 16 ‘fatally’, due to a ‘defective road surface’‡.
  • Average lifespan of a UK road now stands at 116 years‡‡.
  • From 1 May – 30 June, Citroën UK is offering a Free Pothole Damage Inspection for Citroën owners, which covers damage caused to wheels, suspension, and tyres.

Go to: FREE Pothole Damage Inspection (citroen.co.uk)

 

Compensation payments made by local authorities in England and Wales, to road users who suffered damage to their cars due to poor road surfaces, could have paid for an additional 340,000 potholes to be filled in, according to exclusive research by Citroën UK.

 

Comparing Department for Transport‡ as well as Asphalt Industry Alliance figures†, Citroën found that in the last year, local authorities in England and Wales spent a total of £93.7m fixing over 1.4m potholes, at an average cost of £66.93 per repair‡‡. Over the same timeframe, total compensation claims of £22.7m were paid out to road users. These costs are made up of payouts equaling £11.6m, and staffing costs spent handling claims of £11.1m. The money used on compensation claims could have filled in an additional 340,000 potholes.

 

Since 2017, a total of £139.9m has been spent on damage compensation, which could have filled an additional 2.3m potholes. At the same time, between 2017 and 2021 (the most recent data available), police forces in England and Wales recorded 1,114 accidents on the roads that resulted in injury due to a ‘defective road surface’, with 355 people ‘seriously injured’ and 16 killed‡. Serious injuries are classed as those that require hospitalisation as an in-patient, including fractures, severe cuts, burns and internal injuries ††.

 

The research found a worsening picture on Britain’s roads. The frequency roads being resurfaced, on average, is now every 116 years, up 46 years from a lifespan of 70 years estimated in 2022. The average cost of filling a pothole rose to £66.93 in the latest data set, up from £63.18 the year before, and 300,000 fewer potholes were filled in compared the previous year. The one-time catch-up cost (the total cost of repairing roads back to a condition when the network can be managed cost effectively), now stands at £14.2bn – up from £12.64bn in 2022‡‡. In 2017, the one-time catch-up cost stood at £12.6bn – it dropped to £9.3bn in 2018, before gradually rising in the years since.

 

As part of its commitment to safety, driver well-being, comfort, and serenity, Citroën is offering a Free Pothole Damage Inspection for Citroën owners, including checks for damage caused to wheels, suspension, and tyres. The offer is available until 30 June at participating retailers.

 

The Free Pothole Damage Inspection includes checks on areas most commonly affected by poor road surfaces. Tyres are checked for damage, bulges, cuts, and tread depth. Wheels are checked for cracks and damage too. Key suspension components, such as coil springs and ball joints are also inspected. Retailers will also check tyre pressures and adjust these back to the recommended levels as part of the process. Where possible, retailers will also offer wheel alignment – at an additional cost.  

 

Many Citroën models – such as New C5 X – benefit from Citroën’s Advanced Comfort® Programme, with enhanced suspension and supportive seating for a smoother ride. All versions of New C5 X feature Citroën’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushion® technology, which integrates hydraulic bump stops into the suspension system to better control compression and rebound on damaged surfaces.

 

Inside, New C5 X comes as standard with Advanced Comfort® seats. With broad cushions and seat backs, they combine high-density foam at the heart of each seat, and a thick 15mm layer of extra textured foam on the surface, to keep occupants comfortable and relaxed when on the road.

 

Greg Taylor, Managing Director of Citroën UK, said: “The 2023 ALARM report shows that the UK faces an 11-year and £14.2-billion backlog of road repairs. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that millions are spent each year on damage compensation for motorists. To help drivers avoid the worst of pothole damage, Citroën is glad to offer a Free Pothole Damage Inspection at participating retailers from 1 May – 30 June.”