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Colin Walker

@colin-walker.bsky.social
2K followers 439 following 228 posts

Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit @eciu.bsky.social Mainly talks about EVs, but interested in/very worried by all things climate changey

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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
My colleagues are running a really interesting briefing at 11am on how the issues of defence, security and climate intersect They've got some great speakers lined up - if you'd like to have a listen, just register using this link: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us02web.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Media briefing: Defence, security and climate . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Who: Lt Gen Richard Nugee (retd) CB CVO CBE, former British Army officer who served as Defence Services Secretary, and Chief of Defence People; Camilla Toulmin, former Director of International Inst...
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
"Greenwashing Rife In EU Aviation" "An analysis of 17 air carriers found many misled passengers by suggesting that flying was more eco-friendly than it really is" The EU launched a probe into airlines' greenwashing a year ago www.barrons.com/news/greenwa...
barrons.com
Greenwashing Rife In EU Aviation: Consumer Groups
The European aviation industry is awash with misleading climate-related claims, consumer groups said Tuesday, over a year after the EU launched a probe into airlines' greenwashing.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
"Think electric cars are expensive? My new EV costs me less than a couple of posh coffees a day" Nice piece on how cheap EVs can be to own and run t.co/7FIVkvjX9B
t.co
https://www.independent.co.uk/cars/electric-vehicles/electric-vehicle-costs-cheap-charging-b2762203.html
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
"Tesla's European sales rout continues but new Model Y boosts Norway deliveries" Captures where Tesla is, and poses the million $$ question - will the new Model Y be enough to arrest Tesla's decline in Europe? All eyes on next month's sales figures www.reuters.com/business/aut...
reuters.com
Tesla's European sales rout continues but new Model Y boosts Norway deliveries
Tesla's car sales fell sharply in several European markets including Sweden and Portugal in May, a fifth consecutive monthly decline that has been blamed on CEO Elon Musk's political activities and an outdated model lineup.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
"UK’s shift on car sales rules may lead to higher emissions, says statutory adviser" Me in here, on how the Government's weakening of the ZEV mandate could see increased sales of dirtier and more expensive PHEVs, at the expense of cheaper and cleaner EVs www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
UK’s shift on car sales rules may lead to higher emissions, says statutory adviser
Up to 500,000 more plug-in hybrids could be sold because of government flexibility on the zero-emission mandate
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Good "EV charging points to be made faster to install as Labour cuts red tape" www.independent.co.uk/cars/electri...
independent.co.uk
EV charging points to be made faster to install as Labour cuts red tape
Changes to planning rules mean businesses and drivers can install EV chargers ‘faster and for less’
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
"Dieselgate pollution killed 16,000 people in UK" Economic damage in UK estimated at £96bn so far To think the car industry actually installed devices to cheat emissions tests 🤯 And to see what the consequences of that cheating have been www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Dieselgate pollution killed 16,000 people in UK, study estimates
Experts decry lack of UK government action and warn a further 6,000 early deaths could occur
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Latest in 'no-one wants an EV' news: Data from ACEA - The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association - shows that EV sales across Europe have increased 28% in the first 4 months of 2025, compared to the first 4 months of 2024 www.acea.auto/files/Press_...
acea.auto
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Here's some A-grade EV misinformation from the @telegraphnews.bsky.social "EV fires up 77% in two years!!!" What the Telegraph fails to mention is that the number of EVs on our roads has gone up 105% in those 2 years Which means the frequency of EV fires has actually gone down! 1/4
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
"Tesla misses out on European EV growth as Model Y fails to revive sales" Tesla's sales in Europe in April 2025 fell 49% on April 2024, even though overall European EV sales rose 27.8% www.reuters.com/business/aut...
reuters.com
Car sales in Europe dip slightly in April, Tesla's 49% drop tempers EV gains
Tesla's sales in Europe fell 49% in April from a year earlier, even as battery-electric sales rose by 27.8%, as the U.S. EV maker's upgrade of its Model Y shows little sign of improving the brand's tarnished image in the region.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
"BYD sells more EVs in Europe than Tesla for first time "BYD registered 7,231 fully electric cars in Europe last month compared with 7,165 registrations for Tesla "Tesla’s monthly volume was down 49% year-on-year, while BYD reported a 169% jump" www.ft.com/content/53ec...
ft.com
BYD sells more electric vehicles in Europe than Tesla for first time
Chinese car group has been pushing to expand into overseas markets for past few years
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Another 'Net Zero & economic growth can quite happily walk hand in hand' example “The UK company making 'cutting edge' EV supercar tech" "YASA, an Oxfordshire company, is leading the way in developing electric motors for high-end sports cars” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
The Oxfordshire company making 'cutting edge' EV supercar tech
YASA, based in Oxfordshire, supplies it's axial flow motor to high-end companies, such as Ferrari.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Net Zero & economic growth can quite happily walk hand in hand "Electric plane tech centre to be built near Glasgow Airport" "Facility to develop & manufacture fuel cells for small electric planes could be in operation by 2028 creating around 350 jobs" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Electric plane tech centre to be built near Glasgow Airport
US start-up ZeroAvia says 350 jobs could be created at new centre to develop hydrogen fuel cells for planes.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Latest in 'there's no consumer demand for EVs' news: "Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose 29% year-on-year in April, with stable growth in China and Europe despite trade tensions" (Data courtesy of @rhomotion.bsky.social) www.reuters.com/business/aut...
reuters.com
Global EV sales rise in April despite trade disruptions, research finds
Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose 29% year-on-year in April, with stable growth in China and Europe despite trade tensions, while North America recorded the first fall since last September, data showed on Wednesday.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
"Nissan to axe 20,000 jobs worldwide" Nissan is a notable laggard when it comes to EVs (only 5% EV sales in UK in 2025) You're likely to see more news like this in the years ahead from manufacturers who've dropped the ball in making the shift to EVs www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
telegraph.co.uk
Nissan to axe 20,000 jobs worldwide
Japanese car giant is in crisis mode as electric car shift leaves it behind
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Great video from @tuc.org.uk Building EVs means jobs Pushing back against net zero, and the technologies needed to achieve it, means opportunities for economic growth and good quality jobs are lost
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
A great, and 'passionate', thread from Doug Parr of Greenpeace on the flaws in the Net Zero report that;'s just been released by the Tony Blair Institute
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
"Labour told to speed up transition away from petrol and diesel cars" www.express.co.uk/life-style/c...
express.co.uk
Labour told to speed up transition away from petrol and diesel cars
Experts have demanded Labour act quickly to speed up the transition away from combustion petrol and diesel vehicles sooner rather than later.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Interesting 'Big Read' in the @financialtimes.com (behind a paywall) "Europe helped teach China to make cars. Now the tables are turning" Talks about how EU is trading market access for expertise in key technologies, just as Beijing once did www.ft.com/content/9de3...
ft.com
Europe helped teach China to make cars. Now the tables are turning
The EU is trading market access for expertise in key technologies, just as Beijing once did
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Delighted to join Liz Allen (@fullcircleci.bsky.social) on her latest Electric Evolution podcast We discuss the changes the Government has made to the ZEV Mandate - changes I believe weaken the mandate and could slow EV sales Do have a listen if interested fullcircleci.co.uk/episode-136-...
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Jess Ralston @jessralston.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future. Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
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Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 14/04/2025
Very important point. It's not green energy that is making UK electricity expensive: it's mostly gas
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
"Polestar boss attacks decision to ease emission targets "UK chief of the electric carmaker accuses ministers of ‘doing the opposite’ of encouraging people to buy greener cars" Quite www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
thetimes.com
Polestar boss attacks decision to ease emission targets
UK chief of the electric carmaker accuses ministers of ‘doing the opposite’ of encouraging people to buy greener cars
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
A reminder that, with all this talk of tariffs being paused, Trump's 25% tariffs on automotive imports remain www.reuters.com/business/aut...
reuters.com
Trump does not pause 25% US auto tariffs, drawing criticism from Michigan business and auto groups
President Donald Trump on Wednesday paused for 90 days many tariffs but is not halting 25% tariffs on automotive imports and looming tariffs on auto parts, drawing criticism from Michigan business and auto groups.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
"Up to 25k jobs in UK motor industry at risk from US tariffs" @IPPR urges Gov and auto sector to double down on EVs to counteract impact of tariffs As the report we did with @CBI_Economics found, embracing EVs will best secure our car industry's future www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
thetimes.com
Up to 25,000 jobs in UK motor industry at risk from US tariffs
Think tank urges the government and auto sector to double down on electric vehicles and the ‘niche’ production of green aircraft and trains
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
"Tesla car sales in France, Sweden drop to lowest first-quarter in four years" We saw a strong bounce back from Tesla in the UK in February, so that could till happen in these countries But still, ouch t.co/PUenuOwkA6
t.co
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/france-car-registrations-down-1454-march-tesla-sales-fall-3683-2025-04-01/
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Those who were trying to pin the blame for the power outage at Heathrow on net zero were overreaching a tad Not everything can be blamed on net zero - trying to associate it with every single thing that goes wrong gets seen through pretty quickly t.co/zBXBcz5d8Q
t.co
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjy4m0n1exo
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
The @iea.org's latest Global Energy Review might disappoint the EV naysayers Global EV sales up over 25% in 2024 "EV sales in the UK surged, driven by the ZEV mandate" "Very rapid deployment of EVs" cited as a reason for slowing growth in global oil demand t.co/YCuZcIduXR
t.co
https://www.iea.org/news/growth-in-global-energy-demand-surged-in-2024-to-almost-twice-its-recent-average
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Adam Vaughan @adamvaughan.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Britain could become an exporter of floating wind farms to the rest of the world, according to the head of state-owned GB Energy. Dan McGrail said he was weighing ­investing some of his £8.3 billion budget in the technologies to boost energy generation. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
thetimes.com
UK can be world leader on floating wind farms, says GB Energy boss
Dan McGrail, the company’s interim chief executive, said he is considering investing some of his £8.3 billion budget in floating wind farms
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
In this article, Steve Rigby suggests Net Zero and the shift to EVs could see the UK lose its car industry I'm afraid a report by the CBI found the complete opposite - going slow in making the move to building EVs represents the biggest threat A thread
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
OK, so, the SMMT's new car sales data for February What's it telling us? A thread www.smmt.co.uk/evs-account-...
smmt.co.uk
EVs account for one in four new car registrations in flat February market - SMMT
The UK new car market fell slightly in February, down -1.0% to 84,054 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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ECIU @eciu.net · 02/03/2025
Commenting on the @cccuk.bsky.social's Seventh Carbon Budget on aviation, @colin-walker.bsky.social said: "The good news is that the UK’s net zero ambitions can be hit with even a modest increase in the number of passengers that we see today" eciu.net/media/press...
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Interesting piece from @robhull83 on how Norway has managed to get itself to a place where 90% of new cars sold are EVs www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/electr...
thisismoney.co.uk
9 in 10 new cars in this European country are EVs: What's the secret?
This country has for years been leading Europe's transition to electric cars and is extremely well positioned to meet its own target of only adding EVs to its roads from 2025.
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
He is not just appeasing Putin, he is aligned with him. And every single client journalist, political shill & public/online cheerleader on both sides of the Atlantic is too. Against Zelensky. Against Ukraine. Against freedom. Against the most basic tenets of decency.
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ECIU @eciu.net · 28/02/2025
Commenting on the @cccuk.bsky.social's Seventh Carbon Budget on aviation, @colin-walker.bsky.social said: "The good news is that the UK’s net zero ambitions can be hit with even a modest increase in the number of passengers that we see today" eciu.net/media/press...
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Nice coverage of EVUK's Cost of Driving Electric report "EVs will save you an average of £5k" As we know, charging an EV at home saves you a lot of money over a petrol But report also finds people without off street parking can also save money... 1/2 www.independent.co.uk/money/electr...
independent.co.uk
Electric vehicles will save you an average of £5,000 – here’s how
For those who can charge at home the savings are compounded
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Adam Vaughan @adamvaughan.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
UK climate advisers call for an 87% emissions cut by 2040, achieved by: - 4 in 5 cars being electric - 52% of homes using heat pumps - gas boiler ban in 2035 - 25% cut in meat consumption - 27% fewer sheep - Woodland cover increasing from 13% to 16% Story 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
thetimes.com
Climate advisers at odds with Ed Miliband over gas boiler ban
The CCC has outlined sweeping changes to homes, transport, energy and farming to meet its suggested new goal of an 87 per cent cut in emissions by 2040
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Sticks head above parapet Shares story in @thetimes.com about "Tesla sales in Europe plummeted by 45%...at the start of the year in an otherwise buoyant market for electric cars" Ducks head back below parapet www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
thetimes.com
Tesla sales in Europe plummet by 45% amid Elon Musk backlash
Electric carmaker’s chief executive is having a ‘polarising’ effect on the brand and putting off potential buyers, according to a survey
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 26/02/2025
NEW: Official advisers CCC say UK shld cut emissions 87% by 2040 ⚖️Net cost of net-zero 73% less than thought 💷Total cost to 2050 = £108bn (~£4bn/yr, 0.2% GDP) 🏡🚗H’hold energy/fuel bills to fall £1,400 🔌Electrification is key THREAD + charts www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/10
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Adam Bell @adambell.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
This morning I am furious with Ofgem. This thread will be a two-parter, but the first part is very short. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
An example of how going for net zero and going for growth go hand-in-hand “Work starts on connection for Somerset £4bn gigafactory (the UK’s largest)” t.co/2jBqGuilSN
t.co
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
An example of how going for net zero and going for growth go hand-in-hand “Work starts on connection for Somerset £4bn gigafactory (the UK’s largest)” t.co/2jBqGuilSN
t.co
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
This otherwise perfectly reasonable article on potholes includes the fairly common claim that EVs will make them worse And I don't think this is entirely accurate So, a thread www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...
thetimes.com
The hi-tech battle to banish Britain’s potholes
UK roads are poorly designed and badly built. Could the answer lie in AI — which predicts problems before they appear — and rupture-fixing robots?
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
This Guardian article on brake pad dust misses some fairly important context EVs use friction brakes far less than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, because of the magic of regenerative braking Meaning they produce less of this toxic dust A 🧵 www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says
Research shows move to electric vehicles may not be enough to enable pollution from cars to be eradicated
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Leo Murray @crisortunity.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Saddle up, lace your boots, we’re finally getting some proper action on walking wheeling and cycling out of the government! This is very good Wednesday news www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Almost £300 million to gear up new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes
We are making sure local authorities can provide high-quality and easily accessible active travel schemes across England.
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
I have reservations about referring to PHEVs as EVs (because they have an internal combustion engine that typically does most of the work) But still, global sales of electric cars in January rose 18% year on year Notable was Europe - sales up 21% www.reuters.com/business/aut...
reuters.com
Global electric vehicle sales up 18% in January
Global electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in January rose 18% year on year, as growth in Europe and the United States outpaced China for the first time since last February, research firm Rho Motion said on Wednesday.
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Quentin Willson @quentinwillson.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
EV drivers spend extra £85m on VAT when using public chargers. I’ve written to the Treasury to cut the VAT on public chargers (again) for those EV drivers without driveways. The ‘Pavement Tax’ makes no policy sense when the U.K. is electrifying
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
People that used public chargers in 2025 paid £85m more in VAT than if they'd charged at home Rises to £315m by 2030 Because VAT at home = 5%, but public chargers = 20% Seems unfair on poorer households that are less likely to have off street parking www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
EV drivers spend extra £85m on VAT when using public chargers
Industry says ‘pavement tax’ due to disparity in VAT rates is holding back transition away from fossil fuels
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Second hand EV sales grew by 57.4% in 2024 Since Autotrader have said 2nd hand EVs have largely reached price parity with petrol, this is further proof that the demand for EVs is there when the price is right A couple of other thoughts... www.smmt.co.uk/2025/02/dema...
smmt.co.uk
Demand for used EVs rises to record levels as second-hand car market grows in 2024
Used car transactions grow 5.5% in 2024 after eight consecutive quarters of growth, with 7,643,180 vehicles changing hands. Pre-loved EVs boast record demand, rising 57.4% to 188,382 units and taking ...
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Colin Walker @colin-walker.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Good to see Express saying what we've been saying for ages Ban on sale of petrol & diesel cars in 2030 (and hybrids in 2035) only applies to NEW cars No ban on 2nd hand sales Means there will be petrol cars on our roads well into the 2040s and 2050s www.express.co.uk/life-style/c...
express.co.uk
Petrol and diesel cars given another '20 years’ despite 2030 ban
Petrol and diesel combustion vehicles may still be on UK roads by this date despite plans to cut the sale of new models.
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