Latest news with #Fuel
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major fuel change for petrol, diesel and electric drivers kicks in – are YOU impacted?
New mileage rates take effect across UK, affecting petrol, diesel and electric drivers PUMP IT UP Major fuel change for petrol, diesel and electric drivers kicks in – are YOU impacted? A NEW fuel rate update from HMRC has come into effect today – and while it may help some companies cut costs, it could mean less money back in drivers' pockets for business mileage. The updated Advisory Fuel Rates (AFRs) apply across the UK and affect those using company cars, including employees who claim back mileage for work journeys or reimburse their employer for personal use. 2 In this latest update, reimbursement rates for many petrol and diesel vehicles have been reduced AFRs are reviewed and set quarterly by HM Revenue and Customs to reflect average fuel prices and typical consumption levels. They're intended to keep reimbursements fair and in line with tax regulations If employers pay no more than the official rate, there's no taxable benefit for the employee. However, anything above the AFR is treated as income and may be taxed. In this latest update, reimbursement rates for many petrol and diesel vehicles have been reduced. Petrol car drivers with engines between 1.4 litres and 2 litres will now receive 14p per mile, down from 15p. For petrol engines over 2 litres, the rate drops from 23p to 22p per mile. Diesel drivers with engines up to 1.6 litres will now receive 11p per mile instead of 12p. Other diesel rates remain unchanged. While these reductions may seem minor, they can have a noticeable impact over time. For example, a driver covering 10,000 business miles a year in a petrol car that now qualifies for 14p per mile will be reimbursed £100 less than under the previous rate. In that sense, the new rates may feel more like a cut in income than a cost saving. Electric car drivers won't see any change this time around. The reimbursement rate for electric vehicles remains at 7p per mile, which reflects their generally lower running costs. Though the rate may appear low compared to petrol and diesel, it aligns with current energy price trends and may encourage more businesses to consider switching to electric fleets as a long-term cost-saving strategy. These rates are based on data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Office for National Statistics, and the Department for Transport. The aim is to ensure that reimbursement remains fair and realistic, keeping both businesses and employees from being left out of pocket or facing unexpected tax consequences. The RAC has reminded drivers and employers that staying aligned with AFRs is essential not just for fairness but for staying compliant with tax regulations. With the potential for even small changes to add up significantly over time, especially for high-mileage drivers, it's crucial to use the correct rates. HMRC will review these rates again in September, taking into account future shifts in fuel prices and electricity costs. Until then, businesses and drivers are being encouraged to double-check their current mileage claims and reimbursement practices to avoid financial shortfalls or tax issues. Advisory fuel rates from June 1, 2025 For petrol vehicles, those with engines up to 1.4 litres can now claim 12p per mile. Vehicles with engine sizes between 1.401 and 1.6 litres, as well as those between 1.601 and 2 litres, are both eligible for 14p per mile. For larger petrol engines over 2 litres, the rate is set at 22p per mile. When it comes to diesel vehicles, drivers with engines up to 1.6 litres can now claim 11p per mile. Those driving diesel cars between 1.601 and 2 litres will receive 13p per mile, while vehicles with engines over 2 litres are now reimbursed at 17p per mile. These rates apply from 1 June 2025 and are intended to cover fuel costs only, not wear and tear or other expenses.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Yamaha announces 5-year Roadside Assistance program for its customers
Yamaha Aerox 155 in new Ice Fluo Vermillion colour scheme. Check Offers India Yamaha Motor has the introduction of the 5-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) program. This has been announced to celebrate 40-year milestone in India. The brand is providing Roadside Assistance at just ₹ 975 for five years. The benefits of the RSA are:- Towing support in case of breakdown or accident Battery jumpstart assistance Flat tyre support Running repair for minor issues Medical assistance in emergencies We would suggest getting in touch with the nearest authorised Yamaha dealerships because they would have more details and terms and conditions. Yamaha announces 10-year total warranty India Yamaha Motor has recently announced the introduction of a comprehensive 10-year warranty program for its two-wheelers. This 10-Year Total Warranty comprises a 2-Year Standard Warranty along with an additional 8-Year Extended Warranty, which encompasses engine and electrical components, including the Fuel Injection (Fi) system. The scooters are now eligible for warranty coverage of up to 100,000 km, while the domestically manufactured motorcycle range will be covered for up to 125,000 km. As a standard, the scooters are covered for 24,000 km, with the extended warranty providing coverage for an additional 76,000 km. In contrast, the motorcycles come with a standard warranty of 30,000 km, and the extended warranty offers coverage for 95,000 km. Also Read : 2025 Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid: Here's what has changed on the updated motorcycle 2025 Yamaha Aerox 155 S launched The 2025 Yamaha Aerox 155 S has been updated with new color options and is now fitted with an OBD2-compatible engine to comply with the latest emission regulations. The fresh color choices include Ice Fluo Vermillion and Racing Blue. The price is established at ₹ 1,53,430 ex-showroom, while the existing Metallic Black variant will continue to be offered at ₹ 1,50,130 ex-showroom. The Aerox will still be accessible through Blue Square dealerships. The Yamaha Aerox 155 retains its liquid-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC, 155 cc engine, which produces a maximum power output of 14.8 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 13.9 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It is paired with a CVT transmission. The engine incorporates Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and is suitable for E20 petrol. In comparison to the standard model, the S trim is equipped with a keyless ignition system that streamlines the startup procedure, removing the necessity for the rider to insert and turn a key. The scooter employs proximity detection to identify the key, enabling the rider to initiate it by merely twisting a rotating knob. Furthermore, Yamaha offers features including an audible buzzer, answer-back capability, and flashing turn signals. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 31 May 2025, 13:00 PM IST
Entrepreneur
15-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Former NFL Lineman Turned Entrepreneur Helps Feed Island
After nearly burning out trying to grow his company, Jeff Byers reconnected with his core mission. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Jeff Byers has spent most of his life surrounded by elite athletes. As an All-American at USC and later as an NFL lineman, he trained alongside some of the best in the world. And when he co-founded Momentous—a science-backed supplement brand used by pro teams and the U.S. military—his mission was to give people the tools to perform at their peak. But even Byers was blown away by what he saw in Hawaii. On the latest episode of One Day with Jon Bier, Byers recounts his visit to Maui Nui Venison, a company that humanely harvests invasive axis deer to restore native ecosystems and feed the local community. He joined the crew for one of their overnight harvests and watched as they carried 140-pound animals down steep volcanic slopes in the dark—again and again. "These guys are absolute machines," he says. "What they do is physically and mentally harder than anything I saw in pro sports." And they were using his product, Fuel, to get through it. Related: A Deer Invasion in Hawaii Has Turned Into an Environmental Crisis—And a Sustainable Business Opportunity Performance with purpose Fuel is Momentous' endurance supplement, developed for workouts lasting over an hour. It's 3:1 carb ratio provides steady energy with fewer spikes or GI issues—something that appealed directly to the Maui Nui crew, who endure loads of brutal physical exertion. Byers left that trip with a new sense of purpose. "We started this company to support high performance," he says. "But this was about something more." He partnered with Maui Nui to create a tropical-inspired flavor of Fuel, Passionfruit Orange Guava. For every pack sold, $10 goes to the Holo 'Ai program, which distributes wild-harvested venison to families across the island. The goal is to raise $200,000, enough to provide a meal for every resident on Maui. "It's not just a collab," Byers says. "It's a commitment." From the NFL to nutrition Byers' journey to building Momentous wasn't ripped from a playbook. After leaving the NFL, he went into finance before co-founding the biotech startup behind PR Lotion. That venture eventually merged with Momentous in 2021, and the newly combined company took off. But growth came with pain, sometimes worse than what he experienced on the field. The merger nearly broke him. "That was one of the darkest times of my life," he says on the podcast. "I was working 80 hours a week, burned out, trying to hold everything together—and failing at it." He had to rebuild not just the company, but himself. "I realized I was never taught how to lead people at this scale," he says. "I had to change. I had to become the kind of leader the company needed—or let it fall apart." That meant making decisions that hurt in the short term. He pulled top-selling products when the clinical data didn't hold up. He scrapped an entire production run of a nootropic when purity tests missed the mark. This cost Momentous time and money, but ultimately paid off. "We're not chasing trends," Byers explains. "We're chasing trust. That's harder, but it lasts." Today, Momentous products are used by every NFL team, hundreds of collegiate programs, Olympians, and even NASA. The company has landed on the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. But Byers says success isn't about the metrics—it's about the mission. And that mission came into sharp focus during his visit to Maui Nui Venison. "You don't leave Maui Nui unchanged," he says. "They're feeding people, healing an ecosystem, and doing it all with purpose and grit. It reminded me that performance isn't about the spotlight—it's about showing up for what matters, even when it's hard." Related: The Supplement Business Has a Trust Problem. This Tech Startup Wants to Fix That.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Headliner change announced for local Ribs-N-Rock Festival
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) — A change in lineup has been announced for the Ribs 'N Rock Festival this summer in Boardman. Fuel will replace headliner Scott Stapp, who is unable to perform due to a scheduling conflict, the event announced on its Facebook page on Monday afternoon. Stapp is the lead singer of the band Creed. Fuel is a rock band known for such hits as 'Hemorrhage (In My Hands),' 'Shimmer' and 'Falls on Me.' The band got its start in 1993 in Harrisburg, Pa., and returned more recently to tour with longtime lead guitarist Carl Bell and drummer Kevin Bell, as well as Aaron Scott [lead vocals, guitar] from The Voice, Mark Klotz [guitar, vocals], and Tommy Nat [bass, vocals]. Fuel performs on June 21. 'We're grateful for Scott's support of Ribs-N-Rock in the past and look forward to having him return in the future,' read the post on the festival's page. Also performing during the week are local country music artist Chris Higbee (performing on June 19) and area-favorite The Clarks, which will headline on June 20. This year's festival returns to the DeBartolo Commons at the Southern Park Mall. Gates open each day at noon, and admission is free until 3 p.m. Anyone entering the festival after 3 p.m. will pay a $10 admission cover on Friday and Saturday, or a $7 admission on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for greener tomorrow
— Kannan K (The Indian Express has launched a new series of articles for UPSC aspirants written by seasoned writers and scholars on issues and concepts spanning History, Polity, International Relations, Art, Culture and Heritage, Environment, Geography, Science and Technology, and so on. Read and reflect with subject experts and boost your chance of cracking the much-coveted UPSC CSE. In the following article, Kannan K explains how hydrogen fuel cells compliment India's transition to green mobility.) As India accelerates its transition to sustainable transportation, major players across sectors are embracing green hydrogen mobility. Last week, India's first hydrogen-powered truck was deployed for mining logistics in Chhattisgarh. This was followed by the Indian Oil Corporation signing an MoU with Hyundai Motor India to explore the feasibility of mass-market adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), while Indian Railways announced plans for a hydrogen-powered train. These developments prompt a closer examination of the technology enabling this transition – hydrogen fuel cells that power Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen Fuel Cells (HFCs) generate high-quality electric power that is clean, quiet, and consistently reliable by converting the chemical energy stored in Hydrogen into electrical energy. The primary components of an HFC are the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) and the bipolar plates. The MEA is where the electrochemical reaction takes place. It consists of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) placed between two catalyst layers – anode (where hydrogen gas enters the fuel cell) and cathode (where oxygen from the air enters). Surrounding them are Gas Diffusion Layers that help distribute reactant gases (hydrogen and oxygen) and remove byproducts (water and heat). Let's understand it in detail. First, hydrogen fuel (H2) is passed through the anode and is split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-) via oxidation using a catalyst. Then the PEM allows only protons to pass through to the cathode. Electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity. At the cathode, oxygen (O2) from the air interacts with the catalyst and undergoes reduction. Subsequently, Oxygen reacts with the protons that have passed through the membrane, and the electrons from the external circuit to produce water (H2O). The bipolar plates facilitate gas distribution, electron conduction between cells in a stack, and heat management. This continuous electrochemical process converts the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into electrical energy with water vapour as the only byproduct. This continuous process can generate energy as long as fuel and oxidants are supplied. Due to their operation via electrochemical reactions, HFCs have no moving parts, making their operation silent and highly reliable. These technological advantages of HFCs form the backbone of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs), which represent a significant innovation in clean transportation. As mentioned earlier, they run on electric motors powered by fuel cells, which generate electricity through the electrochemical reaction of compressed hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen — emitting only water vapour as a byproduct. Since they use electric motors, HFCVs are classified as Electric Vehicles (EVs). They produce much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases and none of the air pollutants that cause health problems. Given that hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it holds strong potential as a viable alternative to conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Thus, HFCVs offer a vast array of advantages in the quest for clean and sustainable transportation systems. They have no tailpipe emissions other than water vapour, ensuring the prevention of localised air pollution – this can be of critical importance for cities struggling with poor air quality. HFCVs also support rapid refueling, comparable to conventional ICE vehicles, and provide extended driving ranges. This alleviates concerns regarding range limitations and lengthy recharge times often associated with battery EVs. Their silent operation and efficient energy conversion process are further advantages. Additionally, hydrogen's high energy-to weight ratio allows for longer ranges without requiring excessively large or heavy fuel storage, making it ideal for larger vehicles like buses and trucks where downtime for charging can be a significant issue. However, HFCVs have challenges too. Despite the impressive potential of HFCVs, there are a few drawbacks that hinder their large-scale adoption. Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in India is minimal, limiting the range and operational viability of such vehicles. Further, the costs of producing Hydrogen, its compression, transportation and storage are exorbitant, particularly when using sustainable methods. Therefore, the initial capital outlay required to create HFCVs and supporting infrastructure is significantly higher than that for battery electric vehicles (EVs). The high cost of materials and limited scale of production adds to the issue. There is also a need to improve the overall lifespan and durability of fuel cells. Finally, public concerns regarding the safety of hydrogen, despite stringent safety measures in place, may slow the adoption of HCFVs. It is important to note that while HFCVs ensure clean transport and prevent carbon emissions during operation, their overall sustainability depends on the source of the hydrogen they use. For HFCVs to be truly clean and sustainable, the hydrogen must be Green Hydrogen, produced via the electrolysis of water using renewable energy. This process has near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Other forms of hydrogen – Blue Hydrogen produced from fossil fuels with carbon capture, Gray Hydrogen produced from natural gas, and Brown Hydrogen produced from brown coal – all emit carbon at various levels and are thus not considered clean energy sources. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023, recognising the role of Green Hydrogen in India's ambitions of energy independence by 2047 and Net Zero by 2070. Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), NGHM views Green Hydrogen as a sunrise sector for India. It has the objective of making India a global hub for the production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. To achieve these objectives the mission aims to build capacity to produce at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum. The NGHM has identified heavy-duty, long-haul transportation as a key area where HFCVs can make optimal impact. It has mooted the idea of 'Hydrogen Highways' – along which Hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure and refuelling stations are established – to enable unhindered, zero-emission movement of commercial vehicles such as inter-state buses and freight trucks. The Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) programme is a strategic initiative under the NGHM to promote the deployment of hydrogen technologies across various sectors within specific geographical regions, creating integrated 'hydrogen ecosystems' or 'hydrogen valleys.' The main focus sectors of the HVIC programme are mobility, industry and energy. By creating clusters of hydrogen activity, the programme aims to accelerate technological development and build necessary infrastructure to make green hydrogen a viable and sustainable energy solution for India through a phased, decentralised approach. HVIC projects have already been initiated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. To sum up, the large-scale adoption of HFCVs necessitates a multi-pronged effort. There is a need to scale up the production of Green Hydrogen and establish hydrogen refuelling centres across the country, realising the concept of Hydrogen Highways. Equally important is the need to support Research and Development in the field of hydrogen cells to reduce cost and improve the durability of these cells. In addition, supportive government policies and incentives, including subsidies and mandates for clean vehicle adoption, can help drive early adoption by consumers. The establishment of a clean hydrogen economy will significantly contribute to India's clean energy and Net Zero targets. Why is hydrogen considered a clean energy source for transportation? How do hydrogen fuel cells work? Widespread adoption of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles can significantly improve air quality in India's most polluted cities. Comment. How do the operational advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (e.g., silent operation, rapid refueling) stack up against their technical and economic challenges? How does the National Green Hydrogen Mission aim to position India as a global leader in hydrogen energy? What role can Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles play in India's broader clean energy and Net Zero strategies by 2047 and 2070? (Kannan K is a doctoral candidate in Political Science at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.) 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