Author: Vern Whitehead
Vern Whitehead is the founder of Auto Media Group, now the pre-eminent news source for the auto industries in both New Zealand and Australia. Has spent a lifetime in news gathering for the auto industry, produced the first computerised reference guide for dealers (Autodeal) and helped establish the first commercial F&I network in NZ (Dealer Systems). Lives on Waiheke Island and when not writing about the auto industry is helping realise the vision of an all-electric island by 2030.
Shell Europe CEO Ben Van Beurden will switch from a diesel car to a plug-in Mercedes-Benz S500e in September, a company spokesman says. Shell CFO Jessica Uhl already drives a BMW i3 electric car. “The whole move to electrify the economy, electrify mobility in places like northwest Europe, …
Britain is to ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 amid fears that rising levels of nitrogen oxide pose a major risk to public health. The commitment, which follows a similar pledge in France, is part of the UK government’s much-anticipated clean air plan …
Those making mainstream vehicles can no longer see pure electric versions as a “one day” option. Change is coming fast and it is vicious. The end game is now energy independent pure electric vehicles, according to Dr Peter Harrop, chairman of UK-based IDTechEx. That will even be followed …
Richard Hammond, one of the presenters of Amazon’s car-themed TV show The Grand Tour, has escaped serious injury in a fiery crash while driving an electric supercar during filming in Switzerland. Hammond, the former Top Gear presenter was airlifted to hospital with a fractured knee. The Rimac Concept …
BMW is fully aware it has to alter its long-terms plans regarding vehicle electrification. Its i sub-brand hasn’t been as successful as hoped, mainly because EVs are going mainstream much faster than originally thought. Therefore, reports carbuzz.com, BMW is planning to launch a 4 Series GT in 2019 …
China’s JAC Motors says it has received government approval for a US$734 million joint venture with Volkswagen to produce 100,000 electric cars per year. Volkswagen, the world’s largest automaker, is also the market leader in China. It sold four million cars in the country last year but only …
The only fast electric vehicles (EV) charging station in Sydney is being decommissioned. This will negatively affect the use and uptake of electric cars in Sydney and damage the reputation of the transportation network, say the authors of a petition seeking to have it retained. This station in …
Over the last few years, the damage caused by vehicle pollution has been understood ever more clearly and each new discovery provides another reason to hasten the adoption of electric powertrains in land vehicles, marine craft and aircraft. Although ozone, carbon monoxide and other emissions have been subject …
Demand for gasoline in Asia may peak much earlier than expected as millions of people in China and India buy electric vehicles over the next decade. Change is being prompted by policy moves in India and China, where governments are trying to rein in rampant pollution, cut oil …
Industrial and commercial electric vehicles will be a similar market to cars but innovating faster and frequently more profitable for all in the value chain. The most important sector is buses, where innovation often comes before cars because they are less price sensitive, says a report by UK …
