New UK car registrations dropped by 22% in August, while demand for the latest battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles surged up 32.2%, 45.7% and 72.1% respectively, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In fact, demand for PHEVs has outpaced BEVs in five of the last six months since changes to the Plug-in Car Grant, affecting BEVs, were introduced back in March. There are now some 130 plug-in models on the market, with the range ever-increasing.

In all, 68,033 units were registered in what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for new car registrations ahead of the important plate change in September.

The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down 7.6% against the average recorded over the last decade, due in part to constrained supply as the global shortage of semiconductors, an issue born of the pandemic, continues to undermine production volumes.

Private activity held up better, registrations dropping 15.2% to 33,771 units, meaning that just shy of half (49.6%) of all sales in August were driven by private consumers.

The ‘mini’ bodystyle of car was the only car type to see growth, up 30.7%, showing that those still unsure about making the switch to an EV, or EV variant, are looking to downsize, to more economical vehicles.

So far this year, UK new car registrations remain up 20.3%, to 1,101,302 registrations, an increase of 185,687 units with BEVs and PHEVs at 8.4% and 6.6% market share respectively.

However, this performance is measured against the Covid-hit 2020 market, when showrooms were closed for much of the year. Total registrations in 2021 are 25.3% below the 10 year average for the period January to August, illustrating the ongoing and wide-ranging impact of the pandemic on automotive retail.

Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive, said: “While August is normally one of the quietest months for UK new car registrations these figures are still disappointing, albeit not wholly surprising. The global shortage of semiconductors has affected UK, and indeed global, car production volumes so new car registrations will inevitably be undermined. Government can help by continuing the supportive Covid measures in place currently, especially the furlough scheme which has proven invaluable to so many businesses

“As we enter the important September plate-change month with an ever-increasing range of electrified models and attractive deals, buyers in the market for the new 71 plate can be reassured manufacturers are doing all they can to ensure prompt deliveries.”

Alex Buttle, director of used car marketplace motorway.co.uk, said: “New electric car registrations are once again a bright spot, with BEV and PHEV sales up 32% and 72% respectively in August compared to 2020 figures. But ongoing production issues continue to blight new car sales, stifling supply and stretching delivery times.

“With every manufacturer facing different difficulties, these are complex issues that aren’t going to be fixed overnight. The ongoing microchip shortage is unlikely to be resolved until well into 2022. Even then, normal production levels are unlikely to resume at the press of a button.

“In the meantime, many buyers who would typically buy new are being driven away by long wait times, and are pointing their wallets instead towards the second-hand car market, where they can buy nearly-new online and secure a vehicle for collection or delivery the same day.”

He added: “The used car market is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the frustration buyers are feeling at having to wait months, or even up to a year in some cases, to take delivery of their new car.

“As a result of this shift in buyer sentiment, demand for used cars is at an all-time high, pushing prices up significantly across the spectrum of makes, models and price brackets.”

So, it seems for now that with clean air zones, cheaper running costs, and environmental considerations an ongoing reason for many buyers to upgrade their car, the used car market is enabling buyers, who may not be ready to switch to electric, to switch out of higher polluting cars that would otherwise remain on UK roads.

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The post Are EVs becoming more popular than petrol and diesel? appeared first on Checklists.

As the country is now on track to ban new petrol and diesel cars, motorists, car manufacturers, and the transport industry are racing to be ahead of the game. However, it’s not just vehicles themselves that will be changing.

Some of the major changes will occur in metropolitan areas such as London and Manchester, with the introduction of clean air zones. The look of the streets will begin to change as increasing numbers of on-street chargers and EV (electric vehicle) charging stations are introduced in order to keep up with demand.

Here we’ll take a look at some of the biggest changes that are already underway.

What’s happening in London?

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now operates in London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Christmas Day. Now imposed within the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge, most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. The zone is due to be expanded this year up to the North and South Circular routes in October 2021.

In a recent survey of Londoners by an insurance broker, Bikesure, it shows that 72% of drivers are considering changing their vehicle as the 2021 ULEZ expansion looms, with 20% switching to an EV or low-emission cars.

Although 84% of people will continue to ride or drive in the ULEZ following its expansion, 18.6% are set to choose two wheels over four, while 20% will switch to an EV (electric vehicle) or low-emission car.

Accessible for all?

‘Range anxiety’ and access to charging points are oft-touted as barriers to EV adoption, but projects, such as one being undertaken in the Borough of Lambeth, aim to demonstrate how affordable and accessible public EV charging infrastructure can be deployed to tackle EV inequality and drive greater EV adoption amongst those communities traditionally under-represented in the EV transition.

With EV ownership skyrocketing – UK registrations are up 117% in 2021 compared to last year – those living in urban centres, high-rise flats and council estates are significantly less likely to have access to a private driveway, making it difficult to install home charging solutions.

As a result, households which have access to a driveway make up 80% of EV owners, with the remaining 20% owned by those in houses or flats with no access to off-street parking.

The project in Lambeth includes 22 on-street EV chargers across 11 council estates in the borough to provide easy access to public charging, even for those without off-street parking. It forms part of the council’s wider strategy to work with multiple charge point operators to install more than 200 charge points by 2022, with the aim of ensuring every household with no access to off-street parking is within a five-minute walk of their nearest charge point.

What’s happening in Manchester?

Meanwhile in Manchester, a £120m Financial Support Scheme has begun as part of the work underway to get ready for the Greater Manchester-wide CAZ (Clean Air Zone), launching on 30 May 2022, with the first Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras now installed, and a Financial Support Scheme due to launch in November.

All 10 Greater Manchester local authorities have approved the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which includes a government-directed ‘Category C’ charging CAZ.

Greater Manchester’s £120m government funding will help local businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles, so they can travel in a GM-wide CAZ without incurring a daily charge.

The CAZ is a key component of Greater Manchester’s green revolution, helping to tackle the problem of air pollution, which contributes towards at least 1,200 deaths per year in the city-region.

New developments

Manchester will soon be home to the very first electric vehicle only forecourt and valeting centre dedicated solely to ultra-rapid chargers in the north-west of England. This is part of the owner’s, Motor Fuel Group’s, next stage of dual-fuel strategy to serve electric vehicle customers as part of its drive to become a major charge point operator in the UK.

Not only is this MFG’s first EV-only charging hub, but this is Greater Manchester’s first dedicated ultra-rapid charging forecourt, catering to all manufacturers of electric vehicles – helping to support mayor Andy Burnham’s plans of doubling the size of the region’s EV charging network as set out in his inaugural Green Summit in March this year.

The site will have eight dedicated ultra-rapid 150kW EV charging bays which can give 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging.

What’s happening in Oxford?

For those making the switch, or intending to make the switch to low emission vehicles, cities such as Oxford are also leading the way with the introduction of large-scale EV charging hubs. Oxford will soon be hosting Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub, and work to install a high-powered underground cable that will deliver electricity to the UK’s largest public charging hub at Oxford’s Redbridge Park & Ride has already begun. This EV charging hub will help to decarbonise transport across Oxford.

Oxford City Council, Pivot Power, Fastned (a European electric vehicle EV fast-charging company), Tesla Superchargers and Wenea (one of the largest EV charging services providers in Europe) have teamed up to deliver the hub 100% renewable energy to EV drivers day and night.

The hub, initially featuring 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers in a single site, is the most powerful in Europe – with up to 10MW of power on-site – and will scale up to help meet the need for EV charging in the area for the next 30 years.

It is the first of up to 40 similar sites planned across the UK to help deliver the charging infrastructure needed for the estimated 36 million EVs by 2040.

It’s this kind of development and forward planning, that will hopefully keep apace with the country’s transport decarbonisation plans.

As Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, recently said: “As we begin the road to recovery from Covid-19 and rebuild our economy and infrastructure I am clear we can’t just go back to how we were before.

“We have the opportunity to create a more prosperous, stronger and greener country and transport will be at the heart of that.”

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The post What changes are being made towards greener motoring? appeared first on Checklists.

With so many gadgets, modifications and upgrades available, it can be hard to decide on what you need – or didn’t know you needed – to buy for your car.

Here we’ve rounded up a collection of 10 of the most useful and innovative products. Enjoy!

1. YOSH Magnetic Phone Holder

This simple and clever magnetic phone holder easily clips directly to the air vents on your car, allowing you to position your device perfectly, time and time again.

The four N50 magnets provide a strong attachment, so you can securely place your phone or GPS device on the holder, with no fear of road vibrations or speed bumps bouncing it off.

Covered in anti-scratch silicon, both your phone and the air vents are protected from damage and also its heat resistant properties mean that it will not deform or warp if left on a hot air vent for long.

Visit amazon.co.uk

2. Carfume Purifier

The PURE is Carfume’s new car air purifier, designed to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment in your car. It is small and lightweight, made to fit perfectly into your car’s cupholders, and features a USB charging port.

The 3-layer HEPA and activated carbon filters remove impurities, pollutants, pollen, allergens, formaldehyde, bacteria and unpleasant odours from the air, keeping it fresh and pure, even when sat in heavy traffic.

Visit carfume.co.uk

3. iTrack GPS Tracker

The iTrack Wireless Long-life Tracker is perfect for monitoring the position and driver behaviour of your vehicle. The GPS108 tracker allows either a single vehicle or a large fleet of motors to be tracked using an easy-to-use iTrack Live GPS tracking platform and free iOS/Android App, or it can be set to send instant on-demand Google Maps location reports via SMS.

In its ‘schedule’ mode, the battery will last over three years, which makes this tracker ideal for applications where hard-wiring is not an option.

Sturdy and robust, the device is IP67 waterproof rated.

Visit halfords.com

4. Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam

The award-winning Nextbase 522GW dash cam features 1440p Quad HD recording, a 140-degree viewing angle and a built-in polarising filter to greatly reduce windscreen glare and reflection, giving you crystal clear footage.

Connectivity comes Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi, over which it will automatically send crash footage to your smart device, and a high accuracy, 10 GPS module, for speed and location.

This smart cam even features Amazon’s Alexa, so you can command all your devices, at home or in the car, while out and on the go.

Visit nextbase.com

5. Ring RTG4 tyre pressure guage

This RTG4 digital tyre gauge from Ring sits easily on your keys – great to have with you in case your tyres need checking in bad weather. This little award-winner has an accurate gauge that gives readings in PSI, kPA, BAR and kg/cm2.

Its clear, backlit digital screen makes readings easy to see, along with an integrated LED light to help you find the tyre valve in the dark. As properly inflated tyres are more fuel efficient, having yours at optimum pressure means that your fuel consumption will decrease, while your safety increases.

Visit demon-tweeks.com

6. Streamline Plus Roof Tent

Transform your vehicle into a mobile bedroom in under 30 seconds, with a Roof Cabin pop-up roof tent and integrated memory foam mattress. The streamlined ABS plastic shell, which the tent folds down into, is suitable for any vehicle and fits directly onto the crossbars of the roof rack.

Roof Cabin manufacture UK specification hard and soft-top roof tents using high-quality ripstop, UV protective fabric as well as reinforced ABS composite plastic. All their roof tents are engineered to withstand severe weather & road conditions and will fit on almost any vehicle, from small family saloons to vans and pick-ups.

Visit roofcabin.co.uk

7. HoMedics Max Shiatsu Massaging Chair

This massaging car chair features 14 massage programmes and has an adjustable height, width and heating options.

With a full-function remote control, it has multiple massage nodes for the deepest, most intense shiatsu massage for your back and shoulders, perfect for those long drives!

Complete with a washable cover, this piece of ultimate car-comfort kit comes with a manufacturer’s two-year guarantee.

Visit argos.co.uk

8. Echo Auto

Now you can have Alexa in your car! Echo Auto connects through your phone’s Alexa app and plays through your car’s speakers via auxiliary input or your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection. Echo Auto can also turn your phone into a smart, driver-friendly display optimised for use in the vehicle, with large ‘glanceable’ text, easy-touch controls and shortcuts for your favourite destinations, contacts and media.

Use your voice to play music, check the news, make calls, add to your to-do list, set reminders, check petrol prices and more.

Alexa and Echo devices are built with multiple layers of privacy protection. For example, Echo has a Microphone Off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. You also have control over your voice recordings. You can view, hear or delete them at any time.

Visit amazon.co.uk

9. OCUBE Handheld Vacuum

The OCUBE Handheld Vacuum is a two-speed, mini cordless vacuum cleaner with 6200PA of suction, and a powerful 7500mah rechargeable battery.

About the size of a wine bottle, this powerful little vacuum has multiple attachments to reach into all your car’s nooks and crannies. It also features a long, extendable handle so that you can save your back from all that bending and leaning over, should you so wish. The OCUBE is also equipped with HEPA standard dust filters, so is perfect for cleaning up after pets too!

Visit amazon.co.uk

10. Sonic Scrubbers cleaning tool

People have been raving about this bit of kit online and we can see why. Its powerful, fast oscillating brushes provide effective cleaning, getting all your car’s hard to reach parts cleaner car than ever before!

What’s more, the scrubber comes with the batteries already supplied so you can get cracking right away. The complete set includes four different brushes for cleaning around all areas of your car – you can use it around windows, bodywork joins, chrome, crevices, interior panels, meshing, spokes, and anything else you can think of.

Visit amazon.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Top 10 best car gadgets for a smoother ride appeared first on Checklists.

As more and more people switch to travelling, and especially commuting, under their own (powered) steam, the demand for e-bikes is predicted to continue, as increasing numbers of us switch to electrified personal transport and realise its benefits.

At their core, e-bikes are a regular push bike that feature a battery-powered electric motor to provide drive to the wheels. They can either operate via ‘pedal assist’– where the motor activates when the pedals are in motion – or by simply adding power when required via the controls, and driving it a bit like a moped. They can be charged by simply plugging into a wall socket or they can partially charge via the dynamo action of the pedalling (often known as a ‘recovery function’).

Although e-bikes are derided by some serious cyclists as ‘cheating’, the fact that one can let the machine take the strain when needed makes travel by bike even more accessible to a wider section of the population – and especially those who may find their own fitness a barrier.

A recent survey of 2,000 people in the UK by bike specialists, Tredz (tredz.co.uk), reported that as of 2021 one in 20 people in the UK own an e-bikes and nearly 40% of people in the UK say that they would cycle more if they had an e-bike.

The survey went on to further state that almost four in every 10 people in the UK (38.88%) would cycle more if they had an electric bike, with 35 to 44-year-olds being the largest age group saying they’d cycle significantly more if they had an e-bike.

In Europe, by 2030, it is projected that there will be around 15 million e-bikes sales per year.

The impact of the pandemic lockdown on our exercise and habits cannot be underestimated, with sales of sporting equipment and health and fitness equipment skyrocketing.

So why e-bikes in particular?

Transport for London’s Cycling Action Plan recently reported that 20% of London residents choose not to cycle to get about as they feel they are either not fit enough or simply too old, two factors which would both lend themselves to the specific benefits of an e-bike.

In addition to this, 28% of e-bike buyers bought their e-bike as a substitute for a car and journeys on e-bike were around 21% faster than a traditional bicycle. Halfords has also reported that it sells 65% of its e-bikes to those aged 55 and over, highlighting the fact that old age is one of the primary reasons why people consider riding an e-bike.

Other major reasons for riding e-bikes include replacing a car, riding up hills, saving energy, improving health and fitness, and spending more time out and about with friends and family.

So what are the benefits?

E-bikes can propel a rider at greater speed and with less effort than a regular bike. On most, pedalling action is still required, but the excessive strain is taken away by the motor. This allows the rider to still get a workout, but with an added effort-boost when needed to make difficult sections of the ride easier.

In terms of drawbacks over a regular bike, e-bikes are much heavier due to the battery and extra components, so extra planning is required for long journeys so you can keep them charged up; pedalling a flat e-bike home may be quite an arduous process!

E-bikes can also be prohibitively expensive for some, most are around three figures but increasingly cheaper options are available as the cost of the technology comes down.

So, its clear to see why e-bikes are seeing a massive uplift in popularity at the moment. With climate change in the zeitgeist and the government’s ban on petrol and diesel vehicles looming (and the subsequent promotion of electric vehicles in general), many towns and cities are wanting to create safer cleaner environments – such as London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), and are installing more bike lanes and safety measures for cyclists.

Maybe it’s time to get on your e-bike?

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post It is time to get on your e-bike! appeared first on Checklists.

The ban is part of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described as a “green industrial revolution” to tackle climate change and create jobs in industries such as nuclear energy. The aim is to achieve net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK by 2050. Transport is the largest source of such emissions, accounting for 34 per cent in 2019.

Changes over recent years to road tax, as Vehicle Excise Duty is commonly called, have encouraged the use of less polluting cars and now, according to the latest analysis from the leading online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, the sale of new EVs could overtake petrol and diesel sales by as early as 2025. And a recent survey of nearly 2,000 drivers, commissioned by car benefits provider Tusker, revealed that 63 per cent of drivers were considering an EV for their next car. Out of this percentage, drivers cited environmental benefits, being able to charge at home and being taxed less on their salary as the top three main reasons.

Although all new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans are to be banned from sale in 2030, hybrids, that is those that run on a combination and electric and petrol/ diesel power, will be given a stay of execution until 2035, on the condition they are capable of covering a “significant distance” in zero- emission mode.

To help facilitate the transition to EVs cars, £1.3 billion is being invested in charging points across England. Government grants are available through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles towards the cost of selected new electric vehicles. For qualifying models, the grant is for 35 per cent of the retail price, up to a maximum of £3,000. A similar grant scheme also operates for low-emission vans and motorcycles.

Also, electric cars are exempt from car tax, in both the first and subsequent years, as they emit zero CO2. Those cars costing more than £40,000 are also exempt from the ‘expensive car supplement’ until 31 March 2025.

This means that the clock is very much ticking for petrol and diesel cars, with only 10 years left for buyers to purchase these vehicles new. However the short term, you still shouldn’t expect too much to change, because most of us will change cars at least once more in that time.

But as we inch closer to the ban, it will become more common for drivers to see increasing discounts on any remaining new petrol and diesel cars and vans. Meanwhile, there will be more incentives created to get you driving around in an electric model instead. Similar to what is already happening today, consumers will see more fully electric models go on sale. This way, buyers have as much choice as possible and are able to get used to the idea of going electric.

The UK’s decision to bring forward the ban will put us ahead of France, which intends to ban non-electric cars from 2040. It also puts us on a par with Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, all of which have already confirmed a 2030 ban.

The post Johnson’s ban electrifies interest in green motoring appeared first on Checklists.

1. Car buying: It’s not all about used cars

It’s an old chestnut that the savvy buyer never goes for a new car, because of how much value they lose after you’ve driven the first mile. However, the price advantage of used cars is fast eroding. A side-effect of lockdown was that, as cars were sat on driveways and not clocking up the miles, fewer cars entered the second-hand market as their owners hung on to them for a year longer than planned. Add that to the fact that modern cars last longer anyway, and as a result, supply isn’t so clearly outstripping demand.

Dealerships are trying to capitalise by offering their most competitive ever prices on new cars – especially if you go for a PCP or hire-purchase agreement, since what they really want is to lock you into a monthly payment for a long time. Admittedly, new cars are still more expensive than used, but the gap may not nearly be as large as you think.

2. Fewer people are buying cars at all

Have you heard of ‘Mobility as a Service’, or MaaS? If not, you’ve very likely heard of Uber, and its ability to summon a taxi to your location in minutes. That’s an example of MaaS. Another is the famed ‘Boris bikes’ in London. The principle of MaaS is redefining transport as something on-demand that you pay for at the point of use, rather than owning the means of transport yourself.

With our mobility habits changing so much and a large part of the population working from home, more and more consumers are opting for MaaS: not bothering to own a car but just renting their transport when they need it. It’s the principle of ‘Don’t buy a cow if you just want a pint of milk.’ Right now, it’s only fully possible if you live in a city, but make no mistake – MaaS is on the rise everywhere.

3. Car maintenance is becoming more convenient

When it comes to servicing, repairs and MOTs, the market is engaged in a battle over one thing: customer experience. Since their car showrooms were closed during lockdown but their garages remained open, many manufacturers and dealers have been investing heavily in their servicing operation, and now have apps or other digital services that allow you to book, approve and pay for maintenance work, with no nasty surprises when it comes to the price at the end.

As for cars themselves, they’re getting smarter, and are using ‘predictive maintenance’ to help you keep them in good shape: thanks to the masses of data available to car companies, they can estimate how many miles a part will last for, and tell you to replace it before it fails. That’s right – those service alerts your car gives you shouldn’t be ignored for weeks. Following one will allow you to get minor issues fixed at your convenience, before they become huge problems at the worst possible time.

4. Everything’s going electric

With the UK government promising to ban new cars with combustion engines from 2030, electric cars are at the centre of every motor industry conversation. If you’re nervous about buying electric, you’re not the only one – 80% of car sales today are still petrol or diesel-powered. However, that’s steadily changing.

Electric car technology has got a lot better recently, particularly in terms of the biggest worry factor: range. If you splurge on a top-end Tesla, you might get 300 miles per charge; more affordable new options will manage the low 200s.

If you don’t want any compromises, you’ll need to opt for a hybrid, which still has a combustion engine that recharges the battery. The most versatile of these are ‘plug-in’ cars, which can be recharged from an external power source. That’s where the real bonus comes in: running cost. On slow-charge overnight at home, an electric ‘tank’ can be filled for about £2.

Electric car technology clearly hasn’t finished evolving, and it may be worth waiting a year or two to take advantage of further improvements. But the scepticism about them isn’t going to last much longer than that, and they will be the norm before we know it.

5. Low-emissions zones will be everywhere

We all know about the Congestion Charge zone in central London. Did you know it’s also an Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) – one where most regular vehicles need to pay a £12.50 charge to drive, on top of the Congestion Charge? And did you know that the ULEZ is set to expand to 18 times its current size in October 2021?

Welcome to the world of ‘clean air zones’: city centres that levy charges to limit vehicle traffic, with a view to reducing not just traffic but also emissions and air pollution. Birmingham and Bath are also planning to implement charges later in 2021, and a host of European cities are doing the same.

Zero emissions vehicles will be exempt from the fee – another reason to think about going electric.

6. Driverless cars – are they real?

Yes – but the reality is a little more complicated than sci-fi stories have let on. Rather than a binary choice between human-driven and self-driven cars, there’s a common five-step framework used to describe autonomous car technology: Driver Assistance, Partial Automation, Conditional Automation, High Automation, Full Automation.

Currently, commercial passenger cars are available that meet the second level, with features such as lane assistance, autonomous emergency braking, and intelligent cruise control. And there are some vehicles that meet the third level, such as the driverless delivery vehicles that have been cleared to operate in California, though only at low speed and in ‘fair weather’ conditions.

Progress has been quite fast in this regard, but we are likely some way off the final level, where cars can drive themselves without the need to have a human ready to take over.

7. All hail the ‘home on wheels’

Amid a trend for ‘staycations’ in place of the traditional overseas holiday, the latest motoring trend is to swap your regular car for a motorhome, primed for spur-of-the-moment weekend trips rather than the daily commute. For navigating the UK’s bendy roads, a more compact camper rather than a monstrous motorhome is recommended.

You don’t have to be a hippie or a surfer to want to get around in a van – the surging prices of used campervans shows that the demand is universal. People are even buying used commercial vans and converting them into residential rigs. And if you think that’s ambitious, you haven’t seen anything yet. Entire families have decided to leave their homes behind and travel the world in a converted van, ‘home’ schooling the kids as they go.

8. We’re after the luxury life on sea

Most of us can’t afford to even go near a superyacht, let alone buy one. Just owning one can cost upwards of $3m a year – that’s not even factoring in the cost of the yacht in the first place.

Luckily, there are ways to get a piece of the maritime action without the absurd costs. Like with cars, buying a boat online is the next big thing. The second-hand market is afloat (pun intended) with models that might lack the glamour of a superyacht, but are very much seaworthy. And though multi-million-dollar options abound, the cheapest boats out there go for around £50,000.

Or take a different tack (that’s the last pun) and join a boat syndicate. Typically, you’d assemble eight or so people to split the cost of a yacht eight ways – so the expense is manageable, but you’d still get 45 days a year on the water.

9. Two-wheeled transport is undergoing a revival

Before 2020, bicycle and motorcycle sales were experiencing something of a slump. Their traditional market was aging, millennials favoured different activities, people don’t go outside any more… these, and more, were offered as possible explanations. Then along came COVID-19 – a phenomenon that has made countless industries suffer – and something odd happened. Cycle sales went up.

In a way, you can see why – biking is a socially distanced activity by nature, no one wanted to use public transport, and with more time spent at home, people were discovering their neglected biked in the garage. There have also been tech advancements, particularly in the field of electric cycles and smaller-engined motorcycles.

Whatever is behind it, the trend appears to be sticking.

10. Transport is no longer a means to an end

Since the commute stopped being daily, motoring has stopped being a chore for many people, and has turned into an experience. It’s predicted that motoring and cycling destination holidays will be on the rise again in the coming years.

And yes, it’ll be more than possible after Brexit – you won’t need a special permit if you have a UK photocard licence, so you just need to check your insurance and whether you need extra equipment (such as a GB sticker or a reflective jacket).

Though Switzerland’s passes or France’s Alpine routes might hog the headlines, one you absolutely can’t miss is Ireland’s Ring of Kerry.

These trips are perfect for reminding ourselves that we’re still very much in love with motoring – even if we have nowhere to go.

The post What the future of motoring looks like appeared first on Checklists.

Online vehicle sales were a rapidly growing market even before the age of lockdowns and social distancing. Online-only marketplaces like Cazoo and Carwow were big business, and even traditional dealers were getting in on the act.

Then the pandemic hit, and it became more or less the only way to buy a new car, van or motorbike. We may all have been at home most of the time, but cars have a shelf life, they depreciate, and they need replacing. There’s always demand for cars – whether new or used, owned or leased.

If you’ve found yourself needing a new motor, but have ever bought them the ‘traditional’ way, fear not. Here’s a quick summary of what it’s like, how to maximise the benefits and avoid the pitfalls:

Pros and cons of buying online

Of course, going online is the number one option in terms of safety, since it limits contact with other people. But what online car sales have long been renowned for is convenience. You can browse retailers’ stock any time, at your own pace, and without the pressure of a dealership sales rep hitting you with their best pitch. It also opens up a wider variety of models – you can search cars anywhere and aren’t limited to what’s in a nearby forecourt.

On the other hand, the biggest downside is fairly obvious: you won’t be able to see the car and do your in-person due diligence. The ‘test drive’ is an integral part of any in-person car purchase, but right now, you’ll have to forget about it: while lockdown restrictions persist, car dealers aren’t able to offer any form of test drive.

It’s worth noting that you get more protection if you buy online: you’re covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations, which notably mean you’re entitled to a refund within 14 days of ordering the car. If that’s not enough peace of mind, you’ll have to do what you’ve done for everything else in your life, and take it virtual. Most dealerships will now offer to do a video call and give you a ‘virtual tour’ of your prospective new set of wheels.

Where and how to do it

You can look for cars in several places. Alongside the online car supermarkets listed above, the established car dealerships tend to offer online sales too, having spent time in lockdown reworking their systems and adding e-commerce to their websites. On top of that, some car brands have started selling through their own websites. The different finance options will vary from brand to brand, so be sure to do your research.

Most commonly, you’ll be buying a car that gets delivered straight to your house, though a few dealers may offer ‘click and collect’ at their premises. If it’s a new car you’re buying, make sure you check the delivery time. A built-to-order car will take weeks, not days, to arrive. It’s possible to buy used cars online as well – most commercial dealerships will also deliver these and will provide a thorough cleaning service beforehand. If you’re going private, you may have to travel to pick the car up.

Our tips for a smooth, worry-free online buying process? Take your time to read listings carefully. Compare models, as well as the detail offered in different adverts – if buying used, you want to buy from an enthusiast who has cared well for their car. A listing should have a comprehensive selection of photos – if there are only one or two, they may be hiding flaws. There is nothing wrong with contacting sellers and asking for more information, images, or a call to go through all the details. It’s worth spending a few quid on a history check from a provider such as RAC – if it reveals a hidden issue, it’ll save you a lot more money. Finally, always pay through a dealership or car supermarket’s official online channel.

Essentially, it’s a case of doing your research and following good sense. Do that, and you can be confident in getting the right outcome from buying online: a good-value car and a sales process that fits around you.

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