Car News-Global and Domestic

[bobins]

It's interesting to note that one of the biggest players of renewable energy in the UK is Lightsource BP. Yes..... that BP.
Another big player is ENGIE.... who have roots in the fossil fuel business:
"Since 2014, Engie has operated a strategic shift, by reducing future exploration in fossil fuels and investing massively in renewable energies (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, and nuclear) and energy efficiency services."

With reference to those in the oil industries not wanting to cede power to the renewables industry - as the old saying goes : "If you can't beat them, join them"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightsource_BP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engie

[mickthemaverick]

More driving news than car news but worth a read:

https://www.tempcover.com/front-cover/n ... s-for-2025

[Gibbo2286]

The most interesting bit of that is the change in insurance ratings Mick, I wonder how old men it Zoes will fare.

[bobins]

You'll get an exceptionally cheap rate, Gibbo, providing you read the really really small print in the clauses...... your car will be required to stay attached to the charger at all times, but other than that - you can do what you want

[mickthemaverick]

I read that with interest too Gibbo. It occurred to me that if you are happy to guarantee to do the repairs to your own car yourself then the repairability rating for your car should be near 0. They do say that the risk rating will change over time, presumably to take into account availability and cost of parts as well as likelihood of damage if the vehicle has no inherent damage reducing features! Hmmmm...................

[Gibbo2286]

When I first bought car insurance there was a rate called 'RTA (Road traffic act.') only', so no cover at all except for what was required by law., I had my Hillman Tilly truck covered for £7.00 a year.

[mickthemaverick]

I remember that being replaced by TPO, third party only which then bred TPF&T and Fully Comp. But lets be honest Gibbo the main danger when you first got insured would have been running over your red flag man wouldn't it?

[MattBLancs]

More driving news than car news but worth a read:

https://www.tempcover.com/front-cover/n ... s-for-2025

Ah that article / link brings up various bits of news for me - is it this bit in particular that's being discussed?

Vehicle Risk Rating System to replace insurance group ratings

https://www.tempcover.com/front-cover/n ... up-ratings


It's interesting but seems to have a bit of "it doesn't map directly between high group and high rating" err, - I don't really understand why not!
These factors:

Performance
Damageability
Repairability
Safety
Security

Sound the sort of stuff that feeds the current ratings (well maybe not "safety"??)

It's a fair job if they are assessing every car variant! Article reads as that's the plan then towards the end says "if a vehicle has an existing rating it'll keep that" which sounds like only new cars?

[mickthemaverick]

My impression is that the new system will apply to cars as they are manufactured and existing models will remain as they are, thus engendering a roll out of the new system as time goes by. One big factor not included in that rating system is of course driver circumstances. Convictions, previous accidents, age, health and even sex will still play a role in the calculation of premiums. I suspect that it is the human factors which will have the greater range of premium adjustments rather than the physical features of the cars.

[bobins]

Whatever the ratings they use, the end result will be that the premiums will be pitched right around what the market will bear i.e. they'll be cheap enough that we still all insure our cars, but they'll be expensive enough that the insurance companies will make a profit.

[bobins]

UK to relax electric car rules as US tariffs hit

"The government has announced a relaxation of electric vehicle (EV) sales targets to help the car industry in the face of trade tariffs from the US.
A ban selling new petrol and diesel cars will still come into effect in 2030, but manufacturers will now have more flexibility on annual targets and face lower fines.

A consultation on the government's EV target changes ended in mid-February, but the Transport Secretary told the BBC that the government had sped up the process of introducing them in response to the tariffs.
The government said it had worked with UK car manufacturers to simultaneously "strengthen its commitment to the phase out" while introducing "practical reforms to support industry meet this ambition".
Currently, 28% of new cars sold in the UK this year must be electric, a target that will rise each year until 2030.
But manufacturers will now be given more freedom in how they meet their yearly targets - meaning if they don't sell enough EVs in one year, they can make up for it by selling more the next year, for example.
In addition, the fine of £15,000 per vehicle sold that does not meet the latest emissions standards will be cut to £12,000.
Meanwhile, a ban on the sale of hybrid vehicles - which combines a petrol or diesel-powered engine with an electric motor - has been confirmed as from 2035.
Smaller British firms like Aston Martin and McLaren will be allowed to keep selling petrol cars beyond the 2030 deadline."

More at the BBC : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3xe7ppmn2o

I think anyone who has any common sense will realise that these regulations will have to be further weakened over the coming years due to a whole host of varying reasons !

[Gibbo2286]