Enthusiastic Alan - 10 June 2025

NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS MAY 2025

New car registrations rose, year on year, 1.6% thanks to Fleet. BEV registrations rose to 21.8% of the market share, which is growth but still a long way off the mandated amount. The SMMT once again called on Government financial help to encourage more people to buy electric. Click this link here to read more from the SMMT.

TFL TO INCREASE LONDON CONGESTION CHARGE

From 2 January 2026, the rate of the Congestion Charge if being proposed to increase to £18 along with the exemption for zero emission vehicles (ZEV) ending. However, ZEVs will pay a reduced amount that will change over time. If you wish to learn more, click this electrive article link here. For the Autocar article, click here.

PIRELLI CAUGHT UP IN ANTI-CHINESE CONNECTIVITY RULES

The US Department of Commerce has finalised their rules on connected vehicle technology and software. They are banning any from Russia and China. This has brought Pirelli’s ‘Cyber Tyre’ technology into the crosshairs as Sinochem, a Chinese company, has 37% of shares in the manufacturer. To read more, click this Carscoops article link here.

BRAZIL SUES BYD OVER WORKER'S CONDITIONS

BYD, the Chinese EV maker, is building a plant in Brazil, but has been raided by officials who state they released 220 workers from conditions they likened to slavery. Welfare and financial restrictions were found that contravened the local laws. For more on this story, click here to read a BBC News article.

NORTH OF SCOTLAND EV CHARGING CONTRACT SIGNED

EasyGo, an EV charging network, has signed a 20 year contract to install and maintain electric charging points across the north of Scotland. On top of that they will take on the upkeep of 425 existing council charge points. Click this electrive article link here to read more.

FASTNED TO OPEN NEW CHARGING HUB IN WEST SCOTLAND

Fastned will open its fifth charging hub in Scotland, this time at Greenock, which will house four ultra-rapid chargers that can add around 100 miles to a car’s range in five minutes. If you wish to read more, click this Electric Drives article link here.

MCDONALD’S EV CHARGING PROVISION INCREASES

McDonald’s, in partnership with Instavolt, has EV charge points at 250 sites across the UK and Ireland. They do not plan on slowing down either. Fast charging for fast food. Click this Motoring Research article link here, to read more.

TFL STUDY SHOWS ROAD INJURY AND DEATH REDUCTION

A study by Transport for London (TfL) into rates of serious injury and death on roads with 20mph speed limits has shown a reduction in the numbers. This backs up what is already known about how much a maximum speed of 20mph is better for vulnerable road users, if there is an incident. To read further on this, click the ETSC article link here.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

BYD Seal 06

BYD are bringing the PHEV version of the Seal to the UK, depending on spec it can have up to 50 miles of electric only running, according to WLTP testing. Additionally, we will get both the saloon and estate versions. Prices are yet to be revealed. You can find out more, by clicking this Autocar article link here.

Lotus Emira

Lotus is updating the Emira. With changes so small we feel only the most nerdy of tread shufflers will notice the difference. However, anything that improves and already impressive vehicle is a good thing. Click this Autocar article link, to read more.

Get Lost Project Safari

Get Lost, a UK start up, has taken a Lotus Elise S1 and reimagined it in a way not many would think to go. They have made a safari rally version, with raised ride height, flared arches, big knobbly tyres and spot lights on the front. We applaud the team for what they have made and would love to have a go in one. Click this Autocar article link to read more and see the fabulous machine.

LUNCHTIME READ: THE FAMILY CAR REIMAGINED (PARTS 1 & 2)

Daniel O’Callaghan, has written about the Renault 16 in two Driven to Write articles. In these he explains the history and philosophy of the car and its origin. Fascinating stuff, which we heartily recommend you check out, by clicking this link here, for Part One.

For Part Two, click this link here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: HERE’S TO THINKING DIFFERENTLY

Hagerty has provided the list we are recommending to you to check out, this week. The Top 10 designs by William Towns. There are a couple of the usual suspects, but there are also some more obscure vehicles which are very interesting in their own right. Click the list here and see if you agree with Andrew’s selection.

AND FINALLY: NEW FUEL COST ESTIMATOR

A former colleague of Alan’s, Filip Ruminski, has produced an app and API for fuel cost estimating called Journey Cost and is especially helpful for road trips. This is a lovely bit of clean design with some excellent functionality, plus some lovely little touches which help it stand out. Click this link here to read Filip’s LinkedIn post about it all.

Click this link here to go straight to the web app.