The UK's second-hand car market has experienced a remarkable upturn in the first quarter of 2024, with nearly two million units sold, marking the best start to a year since the pre-pandemic era of 2019. According to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the market has seen a 6.5% increase with 1,967,923 vehicles changing hands, continuing a growth trend that spans five consecutive quarters. This surge comes amid a recovering supply from the new car sector, enhancing the availability and variety of vehicles in the used market. Although this quarter's sales ..read more

BT Group has announced the installation of its inaugural EV charge point, utilising a revamped telecommunications street cabinet in East Lothian, Scotland. This development launches the first phase of a nationwide pilot spearheaded by ETC, BT Group's start-up incubation hub. The initiative aims to address the UK's shortage of public EV charging stations by converting existing telecommunications cabinets. The pilot charger, energised by a cabinet traditionally housing broadband and phone cabling, is now operational and available to local residents free of charge until 31st May. Following the E ..read more

Tesla's iconic Cybertruck is embarking on a continent-wide tour, dubbed the “Cyber Odyssey”, giving Europeans their first chance to witness this revolutionary electric pickup truck firsthand. We visited the launch of the Odyssey in Park Royal to take our first look. Starting this week and lasting until July 7th, the Cybertruck will be on display in over 100 locations across 20 European countries. This extensive tour allows the public to experience the vehicle's unique design, surprising specs, and innovative engineering up close. Attendees can also book test drives with Tesla's award-winning M ..read more

Another highlight of the Auto China 2024 show in Beijing was a chance to experience one of the most advanced autonomous driving systems currently available to use on public roads: JiYue’s Point-to-Point Autopilot (PPA). This is available in all JiYue’s cars, including the 07 that was launched at the show. We got to see its capabilities in JiYue’s first model, the 01. During our test drive, we weren’t allowed to sit behind the steering wheel, because you can’t drive in China on a British license. You need to go through a rather bureaucratic procedure to have your UK document translated and accr ..read more

Car shows have become a shadow of their former selves over the last few years. Only a few new cars are launched at the events in Europe and America, compared to the focus these exhibitions used to have in previous decades. But one country still flies the flag for automotive event excitement: China. Its biggest show, Auto China, alternates between Shanghai and Beijing, and we got to go to this year’s huge festival of vehicles, hosted by the latter city. The first thing to underline about the Auto China is that it’s gobsmackingly massive. There are four huge halls, booths outside the halls, and ..read more

At last week’s Auto China show in Beijing, I had the opportunity to delve into Zeekr's latest autonomous innovation. The Mix is an electric van showcasing the potential future direction for the automotive industry in China. This vehicle is a pivotal example of how Chinese carmakers like Zeekr are advancing in the electric vehicle space. Zeekr is a brand of automotive giant Geely, and hasn't yet entered the US or UK markets. It has however, already made a mark in Europe with models like the 001 First Drive and the X compact car. Since its inception in 2021, the company has delivered 240,000 veh ..read more

Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car maker, and StoreDot, a leader in battery innovation, have achieved a significant milestone by successfully charging a Polestar 5 prototype from 10% to 80% in just ten minutes. This breakthrough demonstration utilised StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology in a fully drivable car, marking a first in the industry – with a lot more being promised for the near future. The test involved a Polestar 5 prototype with a specially designed 77 kWh battery pack, which potentially could be expanded to at least 100 kWh. This enhancement would enable ..read more

BYD, a notable player in the electric vehicle market, has announced the upcoming launch of its new hatchback, the Ocean-M, scheduled for the third quarter of this year. The vehicle, revealed at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, will be priced between £16,000 and £20,000 in the Far East. The event, which concludes on 4th May, served as the backdrop for this unveiling. The Ocean-M distinguishes itself as the first rear-wheel-drive performance hatchback in the industry, according to BYD. This launch is part of BYD's broader strategy to boost its presence on the global stage, leveraging advancements in ..read more

Electric vehicle owners in the UK could enhance their driving range by approximately 700 miles annually and achieve savings of around £119 per year by opting for specially designed EV tyres, according to recent research by tyre manufacturer Michelin. The study highlights the benefits of using Michelin's e-Primacy tyres on electric vehicles, demonstrating an increase in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The research suggests that on average, an EV tyre can increase the range of a vehicle by 7%, which translates to about 18 miles per charge on a car with a standard 250-mile range. For an averag ..read more

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new G580 with EQ Technology, marking a significant evolution of its iconic off-road model into the EV arena. The G580 retains the distinctive silhouette and robust design features of the traditional G Wagon, now incorporates advanced electric drivetrain technology, offering zero CO₂ emissions. Useful when you consider that the supplied 116kWh battery gets used up at a rate of 2 and 2.2 miles per kWh. Oh, and then there's the price. The G580 will set you back around £140,000 for the standard model – but there is a special launch edition which is closer to £170 ..read more