Is the idea of battery swapping dead? “No, but it does require standardisation, so that every car has the same battery – or at least enough do. In China, battery swap works for Shanghai’s taxis – and it’s possible because the government buys a lot of the same vehicle from a car maker that it… Continue reading From the boardroom: BP’s head of future mobility on biofuels and EV adoption
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Inside the industry: Why aren’t politicians leading by example?
What is it they say about leading by example? As a recent BBC investigation revealed, when it comes to electric cars, our politicians are rather keener to promote the uptake than spend their own money on it. The BBC founded just two takers: Conservative MP Grant Shapps, a Tesla Model 3 owner, and Labour Ed… Continue reading Inside the industry: Why aren’t politicians leading by example?
Under the skin: Bentley’s amazing carbon fiber wheel
Shaving significant amounts of unsprung weight from a car has a real effect on its handling, roadholding, braking performance, steering and agility. Unsprung weight means just that: the weight in a car that isn’t supported by the suspension springs. A large chunk of that on any car is the wheels and tyres, especially if they’re… Continue reading Under the skin: Bentley’s amazing carbon fiber wheel
The Highway Code: here’s what’s about to change
If you last read the Highway Code when you were preparing to take your driving test, now would be a good time to revisit it – or rather think about having to do so soon. Over the years, updates and new rules great and small have crept into it; and now changes have been proposed… Continue reading The Highway Code: here’s what’s about to change
Aston Martin chassis guru Becker set to take new role at McLaren
Autocar has learned that Matt Becker, Aston Martin’s chief executive for vehicle attributes – and the winner of Autocar’s Mundy Award for Engineering – is set to leave the company for a new role at McLaren. David King, who heads Aston’s special vehicle operations, is also departing. The news comes just two months after it… Continue reading Aston Martin chassis guru Becker set to take new role at McLaren
Lotus terminates partnerships with several UK retailers
Lotus has terminated contracts with several franchised dealerships in the UK as part of a “restructuring” of its retail network to coincide with the launch of the Emira. The move has sparked concerns that the availability of parts for second-hand Lotus models – already a concern for owners – could be restricted. According to a… Continue reading Lotus terminates partnerships with several UK retailers
Inside the industry: Tailpipe emissions will be a thing of the past before too long
What’s the best way to lower emissions from cars? To sell more cars. How do? The logic is simple. The UK has a car parc of around 38 million; about two million new cars pour into the funnel each year; some eight million used cars change hands; and around 1.5 million cars are scrapped, at… Continue reading Inside the industry: Tailpipe emissions will be a thing of the past before too long
Stock take: the race is on to decarbonise our roads
While the measures being taken to decarbonise road transport in the coming years have been covered in great detail, less media attention has been paid on how to decarbonise roads themselves. Highways England recently released a report outlining its approach to lowering emissions in the future. In essence, the government agency wants its own operational… Continue reading Stock take: the race is on to decarbonise our roads
Under the skin: meet the 10kg hydrogen engine
A new, lightweight hydrogen engine concept from Israeli firm Aquarius Engines has been under development since 2014 and is close to maturity. Powered by hydrogen, the Aquarius Two Sided Free Piston Linear Engine (FPLE) is designed to generate electricity for plug-in series hybrids or range-extenders. The tiny engine consists of a mere 20 components, only… Continue reading Under the skin: meet the 10kg hydrogen engine
New BMW 5 Series: BMW lines up hot EV and 750bhp M5 PHEV
The seventh-generation BMW 5 Series will bow out after seven years in mid-2023 and its successor will be radically transformed, both technologically and stylistically, as part of BMW’s transition to a maker of electric cars. Most notably, the 5 Series will follow its X3 and 4 Series siblings in being offered with a choice of… Continue reading New BMW 5 Series: BMW lines up hot EV and 750bhp M5 PHEV