Tag Archives: EVs

News

Charged for Charging: The EV Tax That Could Stall the Revolution

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. The Government’s finally realised that as Britain’s roads fill with silent, battery-powered chariots, the Treasury’s piggy bank is sounding suspiciously empty. No petrol, no diesel, no fuel duty. And so, in a move that feels equal parts inevitable and ill-timed, ministers are sharpening their pencils and scribbling a new entry into your motoring expenses: a 3p-per-mile tax on electric vehicles.

Yes, you read that right. The same EVs we’ve been urged to buy to save the planet are now getting their own version of the fuel duty sting. Because apparently, saving the world doesn’t exempt you from paying for it.

According to The Telegraph, BBC, and Financial Times, this new “VED-plus” charge is pencilled in for 2028, pending a consultation. It’ll sit neatly beside the £195 annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) that EV owners will already be paying by then. Do the maths: if you cover 8,000 miles a year in your whisper-quiet hatchback, that’s about £435 a year in road charges. Congratulations — you’ve just electrified your fuel bill.

The Treasury reckons it could raise a tidy £1.8 billion a year by the early 2030s — which, funnily enough, is just about what’s missing from the government’s revenue as more drivers swap petrol pumps for plug sockets.

The Industry’s Response: “Are You Mad?”

Predictably, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) isn’t impressed. They’ve called the proposed move “entirely the wrong measure at the wrong time.” Their argument? It’ll scare off would-be EV buyers just when the UK needs them most to meet its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets.

They’ve got a point. EV adoption is still fragile — 1.3 million electric cars on the road sounds impressive until you remember there are roughly 33 million cars in the UK. The market’s barely out of nappies, and now the government wants to tax the baby formula.

SMMT chief exec Mike Hawes (and the entire automotive industry, quietly) is basically shouting: “Don’t tax what you’re trying to sell.” Introducing a complex, costly new tax system before the EV transition has fully taken root risks sending buyers straight back to petrol forecourts — and investors straight to Germany or the US.

Enforcement: The Mileage Guessing Game

The plan, as reported, is for EV drivers to estimate their annual mileage when paying VED. If you drive more than you guessed, you pay extra. Drive less? You get credit next year.

So… honesty boxes for motorists, then. That’s going to end well.

No one seems to know how the government plans to verify mileage. Annual MOT readings? Mandatory tracking apps? A charming HMRC inspector checking your odometer over tea? The details are as fuzzy as a first-generation reversing camera.

The AA and Industry Voices: Proceed With Caution

Even the AA’s usually diplomatic president, Edmund King, has urged the government to “tread carefully.” Meanwhile, James Court from Octopus Electric Vehicles called the idea “self-defeating,” warning that “now would be far too soon.”

And they’re right — the EV market is growing, but it’s not yet robust enough to shrug off this kind of hit. Buyers are already wary of high upfront costs, patchy charging infrastructure, and residual value anxiety. Add a pay-per-mile tax on top and you’ve got a recipe for range anxiety of the fiscal variety.

Let’s be clear: road taxation does need reform. EVs shouldn’t be permanently tax-free; roads don’t repair themselves. But this feels like a knee-jerk policy dressed up as fairness. Instead of a smart, progressive system based on emissions, efficiency, or actual road wear, we’re getting a glorified electricity meter strapped to your number plate.

If the government really wants to plug its revenue gap without short-circuiting the EV revolution, it needs to work with the industry — not against it. Create a clear, fair, and future-proof system that doesn’t punish early adopters for doing the right thing.

Because right now, the message from Westminster seems to be: “Thanks for going green. That’ll be £435, please.”

Source: SMMT

NEW CARS

2026 Renault Twingo: The Funky French EV Comes Back Swinging

Images of Renault’s all-new Twingo have slipped out ahead of its official November 6 debut, and the internet’s already buzzing. What we’re seeing is a retro-cool electric city car that wants to remind everyone just how fun small cars can be — and do it for less than £17,000.

That’s not a typo. The Twingo will be Renault’s cheapest EV when it hits the streets in 2026, undercutting the Renault 5 and 4 in the company’s rapidly expanding electric family. Its mission? Take on the upcoming Volkswagen ID.1 and prove that affordable electric mobility doesn’t have to look (or feel) like an appliance.

Retro Charm, Updated for 2026

If the leaked photos are anything to go by, the fourth-generation Twingo doesn’t stray far from the 2023 concept that wowed showgoers. The production car keeps the concept’s playful, bubble-like shape and the semi-circular light signatures front and rear — clear nods to the original 1990s Twingo that made Renault’s design language famous for its cheeky confidence.

Some of the wilder details have been tamed for production, of course. The concept’s flush, Mk1-style door pulls have been replaced by traditional handles, and the ride height has been lifted a touch — sensible moves for urban reality. Still, the vibe remains unmistakably “Twingo”: simple, joyful, and just a little bit weird in the best way.

Inside: Simple, Bright, and Clever

The cabin shows Renault’s new approach to small EV interiors: minimal but not minimalistic. Unlike the Renault 5 and 4, which blend their infotainment and instrument displays into one wide screen, the Twingo splits them up. Expect a standalone 7-inch display — likely borrowed from Dacia — and good old-fashioned physical dials for climate control.

Oval vents and body-colored dash inserts make sure the retro cues keep coming, echoing the first-gen car’s youthful energy. Renault describes the interior as “airy, cylindrical, and suspended” — which is PR-speak for “you’ll actually enjoy sitting in traffic.”

Power, Range, and Efficiency

Renault’s keeping mum on exact specs for now, but the Twingo rides on the same AmpR Small platform as the Renault 5. The 5’s base version delivers 118 horsepower and 190 miles of range from a 40kWh battery. The Twingo will probably go smaller and lighter — think Dacia Spring territory — with a 25kWh pack and around 140 miles of range.

Renault originally promised an impressive 6.2 miles per kWh efficiency figure, which could make the Twingo one of the most energy-efficient EVs on sale. That’s key for keeping costs down — both at purchase and plug-in time.

Built Fast, Priced Right

Beyond the car itself, what’s remarkable is how Renault got here. From green light to production, the Twingo’s development will take just 21 months — less than half the time it took to bring the Clio to life.

This speed is part of CEO François Provost’s new obsession with “competitiveness.” He’s made the Twingo a poster child for how Renault plans to fight back against low-cost Chinese EVs: faster development cycles, leaner production, and smarter software.

The result is a car that reportedly costs 50% less to build than a typical C-segment SUV, thanks to simplified materials and Ampere’s software-focused engineering. Ampere, Renault’s new EV subsidiary, is also driving down production costs to reach price parity between EVs and ICE cars — a milestone that could make or break Europe’s electric transition.

Sustainability Meets Accessibility

Renault says the new Twingo will produce 75% fewer CO₂ emissions over its lifetime than the average European gasoline car sold in 2023. Combine that with its sub-£17,000 price tag, and it’s easy to see why Renault calls it a “fit-for-purpose urban vehicle with no compromise.”

The car also marks a comeback for UK buyers. After the third-generation Twingo Electric never made it across the Channel, Renault initially hesitated to commit to a right-hand-drive version. But strong enthusiasm for the Renault 5 has convinced executives that Britain deserves the little French charmer once again.

The Comeback Kid

It’s been seven years since the petrol-powered Twingo quietly disappeared from UK showrooms — but this all-new, all-electric version feels like the right kind of comeback. Playful, practical, and purpose-built for the city, it’s a reminder that small cars can still be fun, affordable, and forward-looking.

And if Renault really does deliver that £17,000 price tag? The 2026 Twingo might just become the people’s EV we’ve all been waiting for.

Source: Renault

News

Do EVs Really Need Special Tires? The Rolling Resistance Dilemma

For most electric vehicle owners, efficiency is everything. Every watt saved translates to more miles between charges, and range anxiety still looms large even in 2025. It’s no surprise, then, that many EV drivers start wondering whether they need special “EV-specific” tires—rubber supposedly optimized to squeeze out a few extra miles by lowering rolling resistance.

But there’s a catch: less rolling resistance usually means less grip. And grip is what keeps you out of the ditch when the road turns wet, snowy, or muddy. So, is sacrificing traction in the name of efficiency really worth it?

Weight and Torque: The Tire-Killers

The problem starts with physics. Electric vehicles are heavy—really heavy. That’s because of their massive battery packs, which can easily add hundreds of pounds compared to a gas-powered equivalent. Add to that the instant torque that’s become an EV calling card, and you’ve got a recipe for serious tire stress.

According to Germany’s Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD), conventional tires can wear out significantly faster on EVs simply because they weren’t built for that combination of weight and power. So, do electric cars need their own tires—or have modern tire engineers already caught up?

Chasing Range: The Rolling Resistance Equation

Rolling resistance measures how much effort it takes to keep a tire moving once it’s rolling. A standard tire typically comes in around seven to nine kilograms per ton of vehicle weight. Reduce that figure, and the car has to work less to stay in motion—translating directly into improved range.

Henning Klipp of the AvD puts it into perspective: “A reduction in rolling resistance of about five percent corresponds to roughly one percent lower fuel—or in this case, energy—consumption.”

That might not sound like much, but for an EV where every bit of efficiency counts, it can be the difference between making it home or hunting for a charging station. The tradeoff? As Klipp notes, cutting rolling resistance almost always means cutting grip.

The Good News: Modern Compounds Have Evolved

Here’s where tire technology steps in. The good news, Klipp says, is that tire development has made serious strides in recent years. Many major manufacturers have moved away from producing “EV-only” tires altogether. Instead, they’ve focused on advanced rubber compounds and optimized tread designs that balance grip with efficiency.

The result: most modern tires are already EV-compatible, without the need for a dedicated line. But, as always, not all brands hit the mark equally.

How to Choose: Reading the Label

If you’re shopping for new rubber, pay attention to the specs. Your vehicle documentation lists the correct tire size, load index, and speed rating. Then there’s the EU tire label, which breaks down three key metrics: fuel efficiency (or rolling resistance), wet grip, and noise level.

Higher ratings in each category usually mean a better tire—but also a pricier one. The smart move? Compare models and check independent tire tests before you buy.

Safety First, Efficiency Second

Ultimately, AvD experts say that grip should always take priority—especially in wet conditions. A few extra miles of range aren’t worth it if your car can’t stop when it needs to. And, in the bigger picture, staying accident-free is the most eco-friendly choice of all.

So, do EVs need special tires? Not necessarily. But they do need good ones—rubber that can handle the torque, weight, and performance demands of electric driving while keeping you safe in all conditions.

Because when it comes to tires, the smartest efficiency upgrade might just be the one that keeps you on the road.

Source: AvD