Electric trolley problem - 12 March 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: EU CONSIDERING RETROACTIVE TARIFFS ON CHINESE EVS

The investigation, by the European Union, into if China subsidises the homegrown EV makers has, within an interim report, stated there is enough evidence to show there is unfair assistance. On top of this, imports have increased 14% since the investigation began. The fear is, if the rate of increase continues it will cause harm to the European market before the official conclusions come to light. If you wish to learn more, click this link to a Reuters article here.

FOLLOW UP: VOLTA TRUCKS PRODUCTION TO BEGIN

Following the purchase of the bankrupt company, by Luxor Capital, news is released that they will restart production, in Austria, from May. The aim is for 500 vehicles to be made in 2024 and 2,000 in 2025. There are still questions about the batteries for the trucks after the previous supplier went into receivership and was bought by Volvo. Click here to read more, from electrive.

CHANCELLOR ACCUSED OF IGNORING THE CAR INDUSTRY

A large portion of the car industry convinced itself that the Government would offer any additional assistance to encourage the uptake of EVs, especially by private buyers. However, in last week’s budget announcement there was no additional help forthcoming. This caused an angry reaction, with many accusing the Government of ignoring the industry. For more on this story, including the background to it all, click this EVPowered article link.

EU DEMANDS BUTTONS RETURN TO CAR INTERIORS

The EU, via soon to be announced new EuroNCAP criteria, has stated that car interiors must have physical controls for certain functions of the car. There is also a drive to reduce the number of screens within cars. If you would like to read further on this story, click the link here to The Verge article.

FUEL PRICES ROCKET UPWARDS

Now we talk about the rise in fuel prices, which was by the highest for two years, off the back of Red Sea disruption and retailers looking to maximise their profits. Click this Autocar article to read more.

NISSAN ACCUSED OF UNDERPAYING SUPPLIERS IN JAPAN

The Japanese Fair Trade Commission has accused Nissan of underpaying their suppliers for two years, but warn it could be much longer. The amount is in the region of $20 million and if true, is a clear abuse of power. For more on this matter, click this Nikkei Asia article link here.

57 NEW ELECTRIC BUSES FOR LEEDS

First Bus has added 57 new electric busses to its fleet serving Leeds. Supplied by Wrightbus, who are providing a mix of double and single decker vehicles. Click this electrive article link to read more.

CAZOO PIVOTS TO ONLINE ADVERTISING

Cazoo is to sell off all its stock and no longer sell cars directly but become an online competitor to the likes of Autotrader. They will also appoint their third new CEO in five years. The last restructuring took place in December when they managed to reduce their debt to £200 million. More can be found out about this latest news, by clicking this AMOnline article link here.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Lotus Emeya

Lotus has now announced the pricing and specs of their EV GT, the Emeya. Starting at £94,950 for the standard version, rising to £129,950 for the top of the range R model. Utilising an 102kWh battery, which will allow if environmental conditions play ball a 10-80% charge of 18 minutes. Range will be up to 379 miles, unless you pick the R where it will be 301 due to increased performance. For more details, including quite silly 0-62mph times, click this EV Powered article link.

Jaguar C-X75 made road legal

Callum Design has taken the concept C-X75, which Jaguar showed off and appeared in the Bond movie Spectre, and made it road legal. A fair amount of engineering has gone into enabling the single car to pass the Individual Vehicle Approval and become legal to drive on the road. Click here to learn more, from an EVO article, including where it will be shown off to the public.

Jaguar ends non SUV production

The Jaguar Castle Bromwich plant will cease to produce any vehicles that are not SUVs from June 2024. The site will then be converted to enable the production of body panels for new models, yet to be confirmed. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

Tata confirms battery factory location, but there’s a catch

Tata has officially announced the Bridgewater site to be the location of their battery factory, after Government financial assistance ensured the Indian company chose the UK. This was not much of a secret. You can read more on this by clicking this Autocar link here.

What has been kept quiet, until now, is that Somerset Council will have to take a loan out to pay for the infrastructure and training skills for this industrial project. Interesting move, considering how many services they (and other councils across the country) are having to cut as funding levels are targeted. Click this BBC News article for more.

LUNCHTIME READ: NEED FOR SWEDE

Top Gear have let Tom Ford out of the office again, therefore we get another slice of fascinating car culture, this time from Japan and Sweden. Enjoy as he discusses how old Volvos are finding an audience in the country and why. Click this link here to read and watch more.

LIST OF THE WEEK: SOME OF THE GREATEST 16-CYLINDER CARS EVER MADE

Once more, we point you to Top Gear, this time for a list of fabulous 16-cylinder cars in which to pick your favourite one. Don’t forget to tell the chaps if you agree with their choices. Click here to check out the options.

AND FINALLY: LEARN HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR

Ralph Hosier is interviewed by Magneto Magazine and he gets to tell us about how he has training courses from beginner level to more advanced that would be perfect for anyone wishing to learn a skill or even just maintain their own car. Click this link to read more.