UK rental giants swap petrol for EVs as sales reach record highs Tech Electric and hybrid cars are quickly becoming the default choice for British drivers, bolstered by soaring EV sales and rental firms swapping out petrol and diesel models for low-emission vehicles. Strong growth in electric vehicle sales globally and domestically is feeding straight into hire fleets. Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, for instance, reported overseas deliveries [...]
How AI took the wheel in 2025 Tech 2025 was the year artificial intelligence (AI) took the driver’s seat, literally. Not just in boardrooms or on trading floors, but increasingly on the tarmac, in showrooms, and behind the wheel itself. From record-breaking EV sales in the UK and Europe to autonomous taxis navigating San Francisco streets and preparing to arrive in London next [...]
Autumn Budget: Pay-per-mile tax ‘completely wrong move’ Transport and infrastructure Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hit electric vehicles with a pay-per-mile tax which will cost the average driver £255 per year and raise £1.1bn for the Treasury. Reeves delivered the expected 3p pay-per-mile tax for electric vehicles (EVs) at today’s Budget, which she framed as a fairness measure to balance the costs facing drivers. The OBR, the independent fiscal [...]
I tried a self-driving taxi ahead of Waymo’s UK debut October 17, 2025 When Waymo announced this week that London will host its first European fleet with autonomous taxis hitting the capital’s streets from next year, I thought it was the perfect time to test one out. It’s an unusual feeling, sitting in a car with no one in the driver’s seat, watching it turn, brake and steer [...]
Auto Trader: Brits turn to older cars amid ‘economic uncertainty’ July 29, 2025 Brits are turning their backs on new cars choosing to buy more older models amid “ongoing economic uncertainty”, according to FTSE 100 giant Auto Trader. The Manchester-headquartered company said a “standout trend” of 2025 so far is the “growing appetite for affordable used cars”, particularly those aged between five and 10 years old. Auto Trader has [...]
Sir Richard Branson-backed Gridserve cuts jobs as it loses over £80m July 21, 2025 Gridserve, the electric vehicle (EV) charging network whose investors include a fund backed by Sir Richard Branson, cut jobs as it lost more than £80m in 2024, it has been revealed. The Swindon-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax loss of £82.7m for its latest financial year, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. Gridserve [...]
Reynolds refuses to rule out further changes to ZEV mandate June 24, 2025 The business secretary has swerved calls from the automotive industry to rule out further changes to the controversial zero-emissions-vehicle mandate (ZEV mandate), saying he would continue to engage with industry to ensure it did not pose a threat to jobs or the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). Jonathan Reynolds told the SMMT’s annual conference that [...]
Polestar takes advantage of Tesla sales slump April 10, 2025 Polestar is benefitting from Tesla’s well-publicised slump as it revealed a huge growth in global sales for the first three months of 2025. The Swedish company, which is listed on the US Nasdaq, has sold an estimated 12,304 cars since the turn of the year, 76 per cent up compared to the same period in [...]
UK government unveils changes to electric vehicle rules April 7, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched new reforms to bolster Britain’s automotive industry and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This move reaffirms the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel car sales, while offering carmakers more flexibility to meet ambitious green targets. The changes come in response to US President Donald Trump’s [...]
Government poised for ‘substantial change’ to ZEV Mandate after Nissan lobbying March 7, 2025 The government has indicated it plans to relax electric vehicle sales quotas after Nissan claimed they threatened the future of its Sunderland manufacturing plant. Jonathan Reynolds told the Times a “substantial change of policy” had been agreed. “We will do everything we can to make sure Nissan has that secure long-term future in the UK, [...]