Latest news with #BVRLA
The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Concern as crashes caused by tourists jumps by 46 per cent
Latest figures show there were 35 collisions caused by overseas drivers' inexperience of driving on the left – a 46% increase on the 24 collisions recorded in the previous year. With international travel to Scotland continuing to grow, the campaign reinforces the requirement to drive on the left and highlights other useful information about Scotland's roads to help overseas drivers ensure the safety of themselves and other road users. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: 'Scotland is a beautiful country and we want our visitors to make the most of their trip, but Scotland's roads can present real challenges for overseas visitors. With rural single-track routes, rapidly changing weather, unfamiliar road signs, and quiet stretches where drivers may lose concentration, it's essential that visitors are aware of the need to drive on the left. READ MORE: 'Our Drive on the Left campaign aims to equip overseas drivers with the information they need to drive safely, including tips on navigating single-track roads, passing places, roundabouts, and junctions. We are urging all visitors who will be getting behind the wheel during their trip to ensure they travel safely by planning ahead, staying alert, taking regular breaks and knowing the rules of the road." The campaign will see Drive on the Left wristbands, available in eight languages, be distributed to visitors via the hospitality sector and car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar, along with Driving in Scotland leaflets offering practical advice about driving on Scotland's roads. It is also being supported by organisations and businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors, to ensure as many overseas drivers as possible are reminded to drive on the left while visiting Scotland. Scott McCombie, National Trust for Scotland's Senior Ranger at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, said: "Each year, those of us who live and work in the Highlands see a number of collisions on roads involving folk who are not used to driving on the left. Just recently there was a collision at our Visitor Centre entrance from the A82 where someone looked the wrong direction and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle. Luckily, no one was hurt but it could have been more serious. 'We want to continue welcoming people to experience this amazing part of the country, so this is an important campaign that could save lives." Amanda Brandon, Director of Member Engagement, BVRLA, said: 'Overseas travellers represent a core portion of rental customers every year and it is vital that they travel safely. The risks are greater with people that are not used to driving in Scotland. Many won't have driven on the left before, on top of the fatigue, confusion or distraction that come with being in a new country. It is therefore critical that the BVRLA and its rental members, in conjunction with the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, come together to reduce those risks and ensure all road users can travel safely. 'Through practical guidance, prompts throughout their hire, and the conscious effort of rental providers at the point of handover, this partnership helps overseas travellers to drive safely and confidently while visiting Scotland.'
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK EV companies warn on risks to zero-emission shift without used EV support
Leading electric vehicle (EV) companies have issued a 'warning' to the UK Government stating that a lack of support for the used EV market could undermine the country's transition to zero-emission transport. In a letter addressed to Transport, Environmental Audit and Business Select Committees, over 25 organisations emphasised the need for measures to improve access to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for households and small businesses, and to address falling residual values affecting market confidence. Coordinated by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the initiative includes signatories from the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), vehicle rental and leasing companies, trade bodies, and fleet operators. The signatories represent a broad spectrum of vehicle demand, including private and business customers, and extend to the insurance, remarketing, and servicing sectors. Despite the growth in new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations, driven by the fleet and leasing sectors and the government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, the new market, with approximately two million annual registrations, is significantly smaller than the used market, which sees seven million transactions annually. However, the AFP stated that current support measures are narrowly focused on new registrations, despite the ZEV Mandate's goal to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles sold each year. Most UK consumers purchase vehicles from the used market, which lacks any support for transitioning to BEVs. The absence of targeted support is contributing to a growing imbalance between supply and demand. Used BEV supply is projected to rise by 178% by 2028, yet prices have already dropped 50% over the past two years and are forecast to fall a further 28% by 2030. The letter to the Select Committees warns that expecting the industry to absorb this impact indefinitely is 'unsustainable', potentially leading to more expensive new vehicles or limited supply. Without policy changes, the UK risks missing out on 290,000 new EV registrations over the next two years, potentially jeopardising government decarbonisation targets. The letter calls for engagement with policymakers to establish measures such as targeted grants, protections against residual value volatility, and standardised battery health information. BVRLA chief executive Toby Poston said: 'The used car market is nearly four times the size of the new one. Maintaining healthy demand and values for second-hand electric vehicles is essential if we want to deliver a sustained transition. 'A lack of government incentives or affordable public charging infrastructure means that too few used car buyers or dealers are seeing the benefit of going electric. As a result, used BEV supply is outstripping demand and prices are continuing to fall. This depreciation is costing fleets hundreds of millions and being passed on to new buyers in the form of higher motor finance costs. 'To restore confidence in the net zero transition and sustain a healthy electric vehicle ecosystem, the government needs to intervene.' "UK EV companies warn on risks to zero-emission shift without used EV support" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
