Macgregor electrical

Volvo has outlined a roadmap to an all-electric future for its cars by 2030, with all sales to follow Tesla's lead and become online-only. The Swedish carmaker, which is owned by China's Geely, joins other major brands to have set a clear path away from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles in recent weeks and months as a surging number of countries move to outlaw fossil fuel engines. The UK has set a deadline of 2030 for a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel models as part of its commitment to tackle climate change . Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player How many major countries will go net zero? Volvo projected that 50% of its global sales would be fully-electric by 2025 and the other half hybrid models. It said that hybrids would also be banished from its line-up by 2030. Advertisement Ahead of the launch of the company's second all-electric car, the C40, Volvo said a whole new range would be revealed over … [Read more...] about Volvo joins race to go all-electric by 2030 and will shift all sales online

If you buy a conventional car these days, you may rest assured that nothing basic will change in your automobile for, let's say, the next seven years until you will, statistically, buy a new one. In the not too distant future, however, you may have to be prepared for your good old vehicle to get an overhaul "every three months," says Claus Gruber, an expert for automotive software at the Strategy& consultancy. "You'll likely get permanent software updates on your car's functional and safety features, similar to those you get on your smartphone or laptop computer already today," he told DW. Gruber is an engineer and co-author of a Strategy& study of the fundamental challenges faced by global automakers as the industry moves into a future dominated by IT-based technology solutions . Under its most likely scenario, the consultancy expects carmakers' software development costs to double over the next 10 years, with the outlay for autonomous driving solutions estimated to be … [Read more...] about The future of the automobile lies in bytes not horsepower

Global emissions have rebounded to worrying levels after a historic decline in 2020, according to new data. And the International Energy Agency (IEA), which has compiled the data, says ensuring that 2019 marks a definitive peak in global CO2 emissions will be "extremely challenging". The IEA says the COVID crisis in 2020 triggered the largest annual drop in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions since the Second World War. It also says avoiding a rebound in emissions requires "rapid change" around the world in how energy is used and produced. In April 2020, global emissions registered their largest ever monthly drop. But by December they were two per cent higher than the same month a year earlier. Advertisement "The rebound in global carbon emissions toward the end of last year is a stark warning that not enough is being done to accelerate clean energy transitions worldwide," said Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA executive director. "If governments … [Read more...] about Climate change: Global CO2 emissions bounce back to pre-COVID levels, International Energy Agency study finds

More than a million households are to get energy refunds after it emerged 18 suppliers overcharged customers - or left them at risk of higher payments - after they requested to switch to a better tariff. Regulator Ofgem said 18 energy firms will pay £10.4million back to consumers for contract renewal failures dating as far back as 2013. It said the gas and electricity providers, which include British Gas and NPower, failed to correctly protect customers' tariff prices when they decided to switch supplier or tariff. Price protection rules effectively safeguard a customer's tariff price when they request to move to a more competitive deal - or supplier - after a price increase. Ovo Energy is among those paying the biggest compensation bills, with £2.8million due in redress, followed by Scottish Power with a £2million bill, while British Gas is paying out £1.3million and Shell is forking out £1.2million. Anna Rossington, interim director of retail at Ofgem said: "Customers … [Read more...] about One million households to get energy refunds after 18 suppliers break switching rules

A group of Virgin Active landlords are exploring moves to end their relationship with the health and fitness chain as it tries to thrash out a rescue deal that could involve steep haircuts for creditors. Sky News has learnt that the owners of a handful of Virgin Active's UK sites have appointed Coffer Corporate Leisure to canvas interest from potential alternative tenants. The five gyms include its clubs in Notting Hill and Wandsworth in London, Northampton and Nottingham - equating to around 10% of its operations in Britain. One industry source said the landlords were preparing contingency plans in the event that they could not agree revised terms with Virgin Active, which is trying to shore up its balance sheet after being hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The identities of the relevant landlords was unclear on Tuesday. Advertisement Negotiations have been taking place for weeks between the company's shareholders, who include Sir Richard Branson's … [Read more...] about Virgin Active landlords plot exit amid talks over new funds