Author: Ryan Hayes

London is assessing potential new charges for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) as part of its Vision Zero strategy to improve road safety, the BBC reported, citing concerns over vehicle size and urban traffic risks. The Vision Zero plan, led by city authorities, outlines the growing impact of larger vehicles on urban infrastructure and safety. It notes that around half of new cars are now too wide for standard on-street parking spaces, reflecting a broader shift in vehicle design and consumer preference. City Hall analysis indicates that larger vehicles occupy more road space, reduce visibility at junctions and crossings, and limit…

The UK Government has announced a £1 billion funding package to support the adoption of electric vans and trucks, aiming to reduce costs for businesses and accelerate the decarbonisation of road transport. The funding will be distributed through two programmes: the Zero Emissions Truck and Van scheme and the Depot Charging Scheme. Together, they are designed to address key barriers to electrification, including high upfront vehicle costs and limited charging infrastructure. Under the vehicle subsidy programme, businesses can receive grants covering up to 40% of the purchase price of electric trucks, with a maximum of £81,000 per vehicle for heavy-duty…

The Hackney Council has launched the first nine rapid electric vehicle chargers as part of a broader plan to install more than 50 units across the borough by 2030. The chargers, supplied and operated by ESB Energy, offer up to 100 kW of charging power and are designed to deliver approximately 30-minute charging sessions. The rollout is aimed particularly at residents who do not have access to private home charging. Each charging unit is installed in a dedicated parking bay large enough to accommodate delivery vans and commercial vehicles, reflecting a focus on both residential and business users. Access to…

Volvo Car UK has introduced the Volvo EX30 Cargo, its first fully electric car-derived van designed for commercial customers, as automakers expand into compact electric utility vehicles for urban fleets. The EX30 Cargo is based on the Volvo EX30 and is offered in two variants: the standard Cargo and the Cross Country Cargo. The model is tailored for fleet and business users, combining passenger car features with added practicality. To create cargo space, the rear seats have been removed and replaced with a flat load floor and access panel, resulting in up to 1,000 litres of load capacity and a…

All 22 local authorities in Wales have been granted free access to ChargePoint Navigator, a digital planning tool designed to support the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, marking the first nationwide deployment of the platform outside England. The tool was developed through a collaboration between Field Dynamics, Cenex, Zap-Map and UK Power Networks. It provides local authorities with a comprehensive data dashboard covering factors such as grid capacity, cabling infrastructure, pavement dimensions, off-street parking availability and projected charging demand. ChargePoint Navigator is designed to streamline the planning process for EV infrastructure, from identifying optimal sites to estimating connection…

A fleet of 30 new electric buses has been introduced in Salisbury, southern England, as part of a £15 million investment involving Salisbury Reds, Wiltshire Council and the Department for Transport. The rollout includes 18 double-decker and 12 single-decker electric buses, primarily supplied by Wrightbus. Some of the vehicles will be used for tourist services, including routes serving Stonehenge. Additional vehicles have been provided by Alexander Dennis, including Enviro100EV single-deck models designed for narrower or more challenging routes. Ed Wills said the initiative reflects a joint commitment to cleaner transport. “Salisbury Reds and Wiltshire Council have, together, made a significant…

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured an order for 55 electric buses from Greater Manchester, as the region continues to expand its zero-emission fleet under the Bee Network transport initiative. The order was announced by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham during a visit to Wrightbus’s headquarters in Ballymena. While the exact model of the newly ordered buses has not been confirmed, Burnham also inspected production of a previous order of 76 battery-electric StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers, which are scheduled to enter service from April. See also: Wrightbus Expands Rapidly as Electric Buses Lead, Hydrogen Finds Targeted Role With the addition…

The United Kingdom’s Department for Transport said the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets were met in 2024, with both passenger car and van markets exceeding required thresholds under the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS). In its first annual assessment of the framework underpinning the UK’s ZEV mandate, the department reported a compliance rate of 24.3% for passenger cars, surpassing the mandated 22% target. The van segment reached 11.5%, above its 10% requirement. See also: Study Finds Nearly One-Third of UK EV Chargers Show Energy Measurement Errors The evaluation covered both the ZEV mandate, which sets annual quotas for electric vehicle…

Sheffield is set to introduce 186 electric buses from 2027 as part of a wider push to decarbonise public transport, with funding support from the UK government and regional authorities, officials said. The project forms part of the UK’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, which is designed to accelerate the adoption of cleaner bus fleets across England. While the supplier of the vehicles has not yet been confirmed, the new buses will replace older diesel models operating in the city. See also: Be.EV Opens Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Hub in Sheffield, Expanding UK Network The UK government has committed…

Council-owned operator Reading Buses has secured £3 million in government funding to expand its electric bus fleet, bringing the total number of battery-electric double-decker buses in operation in Reading to 49. The grant comes from the UK Department for Transport through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 initiative. The funding will support the introduction of 17 new electric buses on the emerald 5 and emerald 6 routes, which serve the southern part of the borough. Officials have not yet disclosed the bus manufacturer or specific models that will be purchased. Local authorities said the vehicles will be “high-spec…

UK bus operator Pulhams Coaches, a subsidiary of Go-Ahead Group, is introducing 15 new electric buses into service across its network in the Cotswolds as part of a wider fleet electrification programme. The company unveiled the vehicles at its Golden Valley depot in Staverton, following upgrades to charging infrastructure and depot facilities. The new fleet includes seven double-decker buses and eight single-decker buses built by Wrightbus at its manufacturing plant in Ballymena. The double-deck vehicles are Wrightbus Electroliners equipped with 442 kWh battery packs. The single-decker models are Wrightbus GB Kite buses, including four 11.6-metre variants with 528 kWh batteries…

Stellantis will invest £50 million ($63 million) in its Ellesmere Port facility in the United Kingdom to install a new assembly line for electric vans, while warning the government that regulatory penalties under the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate could threaten the plant’s profitability. According to a report by The Times, the investment will support production of battery-electric versions of the Opel and Vauxhall Vivaro vans and related models starting next year. The new funding doubles the originally planned investment in the facility. The expansion follows Stellantis’ decision to close its Luton plant, shifting production of medium-sized electric vans to…