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The Venson guide addresses key questions business drivers have about plug-in cars and is intended to help them make the move.

Free Venson driver guide answers common questions on ULEVs

Venson Automotive Solutions has published a ‘Plug-In Vehicle Guide’ to help give drivers guidance on opting for an electric vehicle.

Available online, the free guide follows a recent survey, conducted by Venson, that revealed as many as 41% of motorists said their general lack of knowledge about the total cost and convenience of owning an electric vehicle impacted their decision-making.

The guide covers areas EV technology to cost, battery range and recharging to the maintenance of an EV and the financial benefits for drivers.

Alison Bell, marketing director of Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “It became apparent that although there is a raft of information available about EVs, typically it is targeted at the fleet decision/policy maker not at the driver. Our guide aims to answer key questions and dispel some of the myths that have been a barrier to drivers considering a plug-in car.”

Repair challenges include increasing complexity, new paint technologies and increases in panel repair costs.

Repair storm brewing around increasing costs, says Thatcham

New thinking and approaches are needed to curb rising repair costs, according to Thatcham Research, which has warned of a “repair storm brewing around increasing costs and complexity”.

At its Repair Focus event yesterday, the organisation highlighted the issue of escalating repair costs, with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems impacting windscreen replacement, potentially increasing costs by 123% for certain new models – and affecting no-claims bonuses.

Other repair challenges include increasing complexity, new paint technologies and increases in panel repair costs, more sophisticated headlight technology and electric powertrains.

James Taylor brings almost 15 years’ experience in senior marketing, operational and management roles to his new role at DriveNow.

DriveNow announces new UK MD

DriveNow, the car sharing joint venture from BMW and Sixt SE, has appointed James Taylor as its new UK managing director.

Taylor replaces Joseph Seal-Driver, who departed the business earlier in May to become operations director of the Chinese bike-sharing company Ofo’s new UK branch.

James Taylor joined DriveNow UK in March 2015 and was head of marketing before taking up the position of UK MD.

Taylor said: “The growth in popularity of car clubs in London has been really impressive, with proven year-on-year growth. Our aim is to get DriveNow into every borough in London.”

Specsavers claims the UK lags behind the rest of the EU in terms of standards for driving vision.

Driving vision standards at work putting fleets at risk

The UK’s approach to driving vision standards is increasing the risks for both drivers and their employers, according to Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.

Following the publication of a consensus paper by the European Council of Optometry and Optics, Specsavers says the UK lags hugely behind the rest of the EU in terms of standards for driving vision.  Of the 29 countries included in the research, the UK is one of only five where it is the job of the driving examiner to check vision and one of eight countries not retesting driver eyesight as standard.

Instead the onus is on the employer/fleet manager to instigate policy, which Specsavers says increases the risks on the road and can put employees and, therefore, also their employers at risk.