EV News Round-Up: EV Rally, Scotland’s Powerhub, and Used Car Market Falling Prices
Read on for our summary of the latest EV news, including the EV Rally, the latest in affordable EVs and more!
UK EV Rally Highlights Progress and Challenges in EV Infrastructure
A five-day rally across the UK tested the capabilities of EVs and the current charging infrastructure. Fifty teams covered a 1,500-mile route from Wolverhampton to Chester, passing through Scotland and Wales.
Participants included a diverse range of EVs, such as a 300-mile-capable lorry and an electric motorcycle that charged overnight by plugging into a car. Only two delivery vans failed to finish, proving the reliability of most EVs over long distances. James Venables from Daimler Truck UK highlighted a new lorry that can charge in 30 minutes, though ultra-rapid chargers are still scarce.
Sam Clarke from Gridserve used a Zero electric motorcycle to identify infrastructure challenges, showing the need for varied charging solutions. He said, “Despite one in six new cars being electric, adoption has been slower than expected.”
AA President Edmund King assured that EVs can handle everyday and long-distance travel without issues, saying “I can understand why people are hesitant. But actually, you can drive these every day of the week over long distances without a problem.”
BBC’s Paul Clifton drove a classic Porsche converted to battery power, demonstrating that even EVs with limited range can succeed using public chargers. The rally covered diverse locations across the endurance event designed to provide valuable insights into the EV infrastructure’s readiness and areas for improvement.
Dundee Unveils Scotland's Most Powerful EV Charging Superhub
Scotland has opened its most powerful electric vehicle (EV) charging "superhub" in Dundee, located at the Myrekirk roundabout. This hub features 24 ultra-rapid chargers, providing up to 60 miles of driving range in just three minutes. The development comes after a BBC Scotland report revealed faults in a quarter of the country’s publicly-owned chargers, though the situation is improving.
The EV Association Scotland highlights ongoing challenges in rural areas, despite a 43% increase in public chargers over the past year, with most new installations privately funded. The Scottish government plans to boost private investment, particularly in rural areas, with a £30 million fund.
The Dundee hub has a capacity of 2.5 megawatts and is part of a larger plan by SSE to install 300 superhubs across the UK and Ireland by 2030. Despite the growth in infrastructure, public charging costs remain high, often ten times more than home charging.
Scotland aims to meet targets of 6,000 chargers by 2026 and 24,000 by 2030, contingent on supportive conditions for investment. The government will release an implementation plan for these targets by the end of the year.
Britain's Cheapest New Electric Car Reviewed: Dacia Spring
We covered news of the Dacia Spring coming to the UK in a blog earlier this year. And now just in time for the right-hand model’s arrival, it’s been test-driven to find out if a truly affordable EV hits the mark for its driving experience too.
At £15,000 the Spring is being hailed as the possible solution to EV affordability concerns that could hold the UK back from keeping pace with the e-mobility transition required to hit the sales ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
And with the new Labour government planning to reinstate the earlier date for the ban to 2030, affordable EVs like the Dacia Spring are seen as crucial for facilitating a cost-effective transition to electric vehicles in the UK.
Reviewed for its practicality and performance, the verdict is that despite its low price, the Spring offers a respectable range of 143 miles on a single charge, making it a viable option for urban commuting.
Its compact size, straightforward design, and affordability position it as a strong contender for budget-conscious drivers transitioning to electric mobility. Overall, the cheapest EV in the UK to date is praised for making electric driving more accessible without compromising essential functionality.
Used Car Market Sees Significant Price Drops in 2024
While we’re on the subject of buying cars, this week Car Dealer Magazine published data collected from Autotrader showing the 10 used cars that have seen the biggest price drops in 2024 - including best-selling Tesla & Audi’s that are £1,000s cheaper.
Notable drops include Tesla's Model S, Model 3, and various Audi models. Experts attribute these price declines to several factors, including an increase in supply as many leased EVs return to the market, and shifting consumer preferences towards newer models with updated technology. Additionally, the market for new Teslas has become saturated, prompting the company to discount heavily, which has pushed down the value of used models
Certainly, these falling prices present an opportunity for buyers seeking luxury cars at more affordable prices.
That’s it for another week’s round-up! If you enjoy this catch-up on all things EV be sure to stay tuned to our socials and website for regular refreshes on the state of the EV industry, with simple insights into the EV market as they come.
