Author: Ryan Hayes

Twenty-eight ageing electric double-decker buses operating in London are undergoing extensive refurbishment, including replacement batteries and electric drivetrains, before returning to service with transport operator Metroline, according to Busplaner. Wrightbus subsidiary NewPower is handling the modernisation of the Optare Metrodecker EV fleet at its facility in Bicester. The project will replace ageing electric components with updated systems designed to extend the buses’ operational life. https://evmagz.com/arriva-wins-new-seven-year-contract-for-north-london-bus-route-with-electric-fleet-upgrade/ German drivetrain specialist Driventic will supply its VEDS electric drivetrain system, while CATL will provide the replacement batteries. The refurbishment also includes new axles and climate control systems. Driventic Supplies Electric Drivetrain Technology Driventic’s VEDS…

Zenobē has agreed to finance 169 battery-electric buses for Transport UK and develop charging infrastructure at four of the operator’s London depots. The agreement expands an existing partnership between the companies and supports Transport UK’s target of fully electrifying its London bus fleet by 2030. Under the programme, Zenobē will design and install charging facilities at Twickenham, Battersea and Beddington, while expanding existing infrastructure at Walworth. The project will also incorporate fleet management software to help monitor energy consumption and control operating costs. Four London Depots to Receive Charging Upgrades The infrastructure programme will include a new charging gantry at…

Kia is expanding its electric commercial vehicle lineup in the UK with two new PV5 variants: a Chassis model designed for specialist body conversions and a high-roof Cargo L2/H2 offering additional load capacity. Both models are now available to order, with expected starting prices of £25,605 and £27,355 respectively after the UK Government’s Zero Emission Van Grant (ZEVG). The additions strengthen Kia’s position in the UK electric van market, giving fleet operators and commercial businesses more options for specialised vehicle applications. First deliveries of the PV5 Chassis are expected in the first quarter of 2027, while delivery dates for the…

The UK government is expected to reduce its electric vehicle sales targets for automakers, with reports suggesting the 2030 requirement could fall from 80% to 60% as policymakers respond to weaker-than-expected demand and mounting compliance costs. According to reports by The Guardian and the BBC, First Secretary of State Louise Haigh is expected to announce changes to the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate in the coming days. The revised framework would bring regulatory requirements closer to actual market conditions while retaining flexibility for manufacturers through 2034. No final decision has been confirmed. Downing Street told the BBC that the government had…

Renault has opened pre-orders for its new Trafic E-Tech electric van in the United Kingdom, with prices starting at £38,000 excluding VAT. The first customer deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2027. First presented in November 2025, the new generation Trafic E-Tech is Renault’s first model to use an 800-volt electrical architecture. It is also the company’s first software-defined vehicle, allowing functions and applications to be updated or added through over-the-air software updates. Two Battery Options and Multiple Configurations The electric van is built on a dedicated battery-electric platform and offers up to 5.8 cubic metres of cargo…

Ireland plans to expand its public electric vehicle charging network by the end of 2028, with a focus on high-power charging hubs along major transport routes and additional facilities in residential areas. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien presented the National EV Infrastructure Strategy 2026–2028 on November 4. The plan aims to ensure that charging infrastructure develops alongside the country’s growing electric vehicle fleet and provides more consistent coverage across Ireland. According to the Department of Transport, more than 270,000 electric vehicles are now registered in Ireland, surpassing the target set for 2025 under the Climate Action Plan. EVs account for 26.3%…

Vauxhall has surpassed 100,000 battery-electric vehicle sales in the UK, reaching a cumulative total of 102,852 units by October 2026. The milestone marks the company’s progress in expanding its electric vehicle lineup and increasing adoption across the UK passenger car and commercial vehicle markets. The 100,000th vehicle was a Grandland Electric 213PS Ultimate, equivalent to 210 hp, delivered by Drive Vauxhall Nuneaton. Vauxhall announced the milestone on November 4. UK Electric Vehicle Sales Pass 100,000 Vauxhall’s cumulative electric vehicle sales have increased steadily over the past decade. According to company figures, the brand recorded 16,105 EV sales by 2021, rising…

According to data from New AutoMotive, the UK registered 49,155 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in October 2026, a 53.7% increase compared with the same month last year. Electric cars accounted for 31.8% of all new registrations, making them the country’s most popular fuel type during the month, ahead of hybrids and petrol vehicles. The October figures extend the market’s growth throughout 2026. More than 522,000 new BEVs have been registered since the beginning of the year, representing a 27.3% increase year on year. Electric vehicles now hold a 26.5% share of the new car market, exceeding the estimated effective ZEV…

VEV supports more than 25% of the UK’s electric bus fleet, according to the commercial fleet electrification company, which provides charging infrastructure and energy management services to public transport operators. Its services cover fleet planning, depot charging infrastructure, energy management and operational support. The company works with bus operators as they expand electric vehicle fleets and adapt their depots to accommodate charging requirements. Recent projects include the installation of depot charging infrastructure for Nottingham City Transport, supporting its expanding electric bus fleet. The operator introduced six new electric double-decker buses last month. VEV has also completed high-powered charging infrastructure at…

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation on proposed cybersecurity requirements for public electric vehicle (EV) charging points, potentially paving the way for a common minimum security standard for chargers sold or installed across the country. The proposals aim to address vulnerabilities in public charging infrastructure as the number of connected charge points increases. The department has identified several potential threats, including direct attacks on charging equipment and the manipulation or misuse of charge points to compromise other parts of a charging network. According to the DfT, such incidents could interrupt charging services and create wider consequences…

Hyundai has opened orders in the UK for the facelifted Ioniq 6, with prices starting at £33,240 after the application of the government’s Electric Car Grant. The updated electric saloon is available in five configurations across three trim levels, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027. First unveiled in April 2025, the refreshed Ioniq 6 entered the German market in January 2026. Its UK launch follows nearly 11 months later, bringing a revised model range with the larger 84 kWh battery fitted as standard across all versions. In Germany, the updated model was initially offered with a 63 kWh…

The UK Department for Transport has confirmed that Great Britain will adopt the Euro 7 vehicle emissions standard, aligning its approval requirements with existing European Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regulations. The approach is intended to allow vehicle manufacturers to sell the same approved models in Great Britain and the EU without additional UK-specific testing. Euro 7 requirements for newly registered passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Great Britain will take effect in November 2027. The standard expands vehicle environmental requirements beyond exhaust emissions to include brake and tyre wear particles, as well as battery…

Zest has opened 12 ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging spaces across Winsford, Nottingham and Banbury, expanding its UK public charging network at food and drink destinations. The installations are located at KFC restaurants in Winsford and Nottingham and a combined Costa Coffee and Burger King drive-thru development in Banbury. Winsford and Nottingham Add KFC Charging Both KFC locations were developed through Zest’s partnership with franchise operator Gastronomy Foods. Each site features four 150 kW charging spaces. In Winsford, the chargers are located at the new KFC restaurant on Road One at Winsford Industrial Estate. Nottingham’s installation is at the restaurant on…

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation on proposals to require all newly licensed private hire vehicles (PHVs) in London to be fully electric from 2028. The proposed rules would cover ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt and Lyft, as well as traditional minicabs, but would not apply to separately regulated taxis. Under the proposal, petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles would no longer qualify for new PHV licences from 2028. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles would receive a transition period until July 2030. The consultation is open until December 2, 2026. TfL Projects Lower Transport Emissions…

Greater Manchester has reached 500 battery-electric buses in its Bee Network public transport system following the delivery of another vehicle from manufacturer Wrightbus. The milestone comes as 99 routes across the network are now operated entirely by electric buses. Launched in 2023, the Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s initiative to integrate buses, trams, cycling and, eventually, rail into a connected transport system. Its fleet currently includes 500 electric buses, representing nearly 30% of the total. Fleet Expansion and Depot Upgrades Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is continuing to expand its electric bus fleet and upgrade the infrastructure required to support…

Audi has opened order books in the United Kingdom for its new A2 e-tron compact electric car, with prices starting at £32,200 on the road. Customer deliveries are expected to begin in early 2027, as the automaker expands its electric vehicle lineup into the entry-level segment. The UK launch follows the model’s European introduction in Germany last month, where Audi announced a starting price of €38,200 and initial deliveries scheduled for December 2026. The A2 e-tron is designed to broaden Audi’s reach in the compact electric car market. It was unveiled in September and is based on the updated MEB…

Jaguar has unveiled the Type 01, an all-electric four-door grand tourer that marks the first production vehicle in the brand’s new era. The model is expected to launch in Germany at a starting price of €165,000, with orders scheduled to open in early 2027 and deliveries planned for the second half of the year. The Type 01 follows Jaguar’s Type 00 concept and introduces the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), the platform underpinning the new model. Jaguar Type 01 Features Low-Slung Four-Door Design The Type 01 measures approximately 5.24 metres long, 2.00 metres wide and 1.41 metres tall, with a wheelbase…

KGM, formerly known as SsangYong, has secured UK government purchase grant eligibility for its Torres EVX electric SUV. The model qualifies for the £1,500 Band 2 Electric Car Grant (ECG), reducing its starting price from £36,995 to £35,495. The Torres EVX joins KGM’s Musso EV, which is already eligible for the separate £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant. The two incentives give KGM customers access to government support for both its electric SUV and electric pick-up. Torres EVX Receives £1,500 Electric Car Grant The Torres EVX qualifies for the Band 2 Electric Car Grant, which applies to eligible electric cars priced below…

Hyundai has opened orders for the new Ioniq 3 in the UK, with the compact electric car now eligible for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant across its range. After the grant is applied, prices start at £18,495 on the road for the Advance 42kWh model and £21,995 for the Advance 61kWh version. The range extends to £28,195 for the Ioniq 3 N Line Evo. Existing Ioniq 3 reservation holders will also benefit from the grant when converting their reservations into full orders. Instead of the £1,500 Hyundai Reservation Saving originally offered, customers will receive the full £3,750 Electric Car…

The UK government is reportedly considering additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as it seeks to address concerns over subsidised imports and maintain access for British automotive products under the European Union’s proposed “Made in Europe” framework. According to reports by The Times and Reuters, Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds is preparing a package of potential tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports. However, the UK has not yet imposed any new tariffs, and the government has said it is continuing discussions with the automotive industry before deciding on its approach. UK Reviews Potential Chinese EV Tariffs The reported tariff plans come amid…