British Government-Subsidized Plug-in Cars May Never Have Been Charged
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which represents many fleets, said higher taxes on diesel cars incentivized companies to buy plug-ins, even if they had no intention of using their electric capability.
"There are some examples where employees aren't even charging these vehicles up," said Paul Hollick, The Miles Consultancy's managing director. "The charge cables are still in the boot, in a cellophane wrapper, while the company and the employee are going in and out of petrol stations, paying for all of this additional fuel.
Read the article at BBC News.
Be Wary of Used Cars That Smell ‘Too Nice’
The effects of a hurricane can be felt long after the winds and the rains die down. Flood-damaged vehicles are now appearing with “for sale” signs. There are nearly 500,000 flood damaged vehicles on the streets.
Flood-damaged vehicles may have mechanical, electrical and safety problems. Humidity and bacteria inside the car may also generate respiratory and other health issues for drivers and passengers. Close the car windows to check for a musty odor that might be caused by dampness. A scent may be used to mask musty odors
Read the article at The Detroit News.
Americans Spend More Time Commuting Than Vacationing
Research shows a notable difference between millennials and baby boomers when it comes to time behind the wheel. 59 percent of millennials say they’d “rather spend time doing more productive tasks than driving,” while only 45 percent of baby boomers make that same statement.
Most people average 321 hours in the car each year and get 120 hours of vacation..
“The idea of being able to drive from Colorado to Arizona and see the sights of America, that hasn’t gone away, but that’s not what we’re talking about here,” said Lisa Jillson, who leads Arity’s research and design department. “We’re talking about one person in one auto on really congested roads, with a pretty heavy expense. There is no open road on the day-to-day commute.”
Read the article at The Washington Post.
Where You Live Can Greatly Increase or Decrease the Chances of Your Car Getting Stolen
Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks are by far the most stolen vehicles in America. According to the NICB, many cars are stolen by large organized crime rings running sizable operations often operating out of certain major cities.
The city with the highest rate of car thefts in a state is not necessarily the city with the poorest community or with the biggest crime problems. The majority of these 50 cities have lower poverty rates, higher education levels, and higher household incomes than their respective statewide figures.
Read the article at USA Today.
Volkswagen Targets All-Electric Industry Leader Tesla
Volkswagen is set to launch a base-model, long-range electric vehicle for less than $23,000, a price that would undercut the long-awaited entry-level Tesla Model 3 by more than a third. After tax credits, the new version of the Model 3 still starts at about $40,000.
The Volkswagen Group has laid out an aggressive strategy that will include more than 40 all-electric models, as well as dozens of hybrids and plug-ins, for sale through its dozen different passenger vehicle brands. Discussions with Ford Motor Co. could partner them on EV development.
Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.
