Alternative fuels update March
Lots of news regarding electric vehicles this month with an increase in people and businesses purchasing electric vehicles. It is said that fleets are expecting to be just operating battery electric vehicles within four years, according to a new Lex Autolease survey.
Funding to help reduce battery production costs by 40%
Anaphite, a battery technology company, has received funding in order to accelerate the development of its dry-coating technology for use in electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing. They’ve also received investment from Elbow Beach Capital, helping to progress their technology even further.
EV batteries currently take up to 30% of the EVs total cost, but the introduction of this new dry-coating technology will allow manufacturers to reduce the price of their EV. This makes it more accessible and affordable for consumers to switch to electric.
The EV battery industry is looking to move to a new ‘dry’ process which reduces energy requirements by up to 90% during the electrode manufacturing step and removes the need for the use of cathode drying ovens. This in turn, reduces the carbon footprint and also avoids using harmful solvents during the process.
One of the cheapest EVs in the UK launches soon
Car manufacturing company Dacia is launching the one of the cheapest battery electric vehicles in the UK. Prices start from £14,995 for the mid-range model and rising to £16,995 top-of-the-range extreme trim levels. This makes it the second cheapest EV to be released in the UK, just after the Citron Ami.
Both Dacia models offer up to 137 miles on a single charge and come with a 27kWh battery which can be charged from rates up to 7kWh from an AC charger. However, this does mean that some fast and rapid chargers are not compatible with these vehicles.
This EV model has been available in Europe since 2021 and had its best sales year in 2023, but UK drivers have been denied the opportunity to buy this ultra-affordable EV until now!
Diesel and petrol cars to be banned from EV charging parking spaces in Warwickshire
In the county of Warwickshire, EV-only parking bays will start to appear along the roads after a new policy was introduced. This is part of the Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
The policy will prevent petrol and diesel vehicles from parking in bays with EV charging points allowing EV vehicles only to use them for their intended use. This policy was introduced because of the increase of EVs in the area and aims to encourage other drivers to make the switch to electric.
This could be a policy we see other councils across the UK adopting, to help achieve their goals of net-zero emissions.
Kent, Surrey and West Sussex to get new hydrogen buses
A partnership between Kent, Surrey and West Sussex County Councils, Metrobus (Go Ahead) and London Gatwick has won a bid for funding to launch a new fleet of 43 hydrogen buses.
Councils across the UK are working towards net-zero emissions, and this is the latest project that Kent, Surrey and West Sussex County Councils have adopted to work towards this goal. The funding will go towards 43 new hydrogen buses, which will create one of the biggest hydrogen bus fleets in the country and the first to operate in rural areas.
The buses will operate across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex to connect rural areas with local towns and London Gatwick.
Number of supermarkets offering EV charge points increases
With more and more people making the switch to EV, supermarkets are having to accommodate these drivers by allowing them to charge their vehicles whilst they shop.
One-in-ten Supermarkets now offer access to EV charging points with 600 more supermarkets installing EV charging points in 2023.This is a year-on-year increase of 59%, bringing the total up to 2,916 supermarkets all with EV points.
More than half of the charging points available at supermarkets (55%) are rapid or ultra-rapid chargers. This allows EV drivers to get a full charge whilst getting their weekly shop, which is like how shoppers would refuel their petrol or diesel vehicle after visiting the supermarket.
EV charge cards
We've launched two new fuel and charge options at Right Fuel Card, to create even more flexibility for our customers. If you’re thinking of making a switch to a greener fuel future, arrange a call back today!
 | Matt DoddsWith over 14 years of experience across two of the leading fuel card companies in the UK, Matt Dodds joined RFC Edenred to help lead the development of products to support our customer's move to EV and other alternative fuels, a transition he feels passionately about. |
