In A Bit of a Huff - 18 August 2025
About this episode
A lively discussion kicks off with the ongoing challenges of road safety and the shortcomings of current vehicle regulations in the UK. The hosts delve into the latest updates on the electric vehicle grant, highlighting loopholes that could lead to misuse. They also cover mandatory eye tests for older drivers, new recalls from Citroen and Stellantis, and a unique electric sports car startup called Longbow. The episode wraps up with a look at innovative vehicle designs and the historical context of crime and cars, making it a thought-provoking listen for automotive enthusiasts.
The UK Government has released the list of car models that are eligible for the Electric Car Grant (ECG). There are a few surprises, including how no cars meet the Band 1 £3750 grant requirements. Click this link here, from EV Powered, to read more.
To see Nick Gibb’s Bluesky post, adding context to the question of how the Nissan Ayria was eligible, click this link here.
For the UK Government’s official list of eligible car models, click this link here.
FOLLOW UP: CITROËN ADDS MODELS TO ‘STOP-DRIVE’ RECALLCitroën has now added new models to the previous ‘stop-drive’ order over faulty airbags. Car Dealer is reporting that before this around 120,000 vehicles were affected by the issue. Now that the C4 and DS4, built between 2010 and 2011, plus the DS5 built between 2010 and 2013 there is just a fraction under 10,000 additional vehicles. Citroën was already receiving a backlash on the perceived slowness in addressing the problem, this will not help. If you wish to learn more, click this Car Dealer article link here.
ROAD SAFETY CONSULTATION LAUNCHEDThe UK Government has launched a road safety consultation, with a number of issues being given prominent place. For example, once drivers reach 70, they will have to have formal eye tests every three years to show they are fit to drive. Drivers with non seat belt wearing passengers will receive points on their license. There are more besides. Click this Autocar article link to read more.
UNSAFE ROAD VEHICLE NUMBERS RISE IN UKIn 2024, nearly 50% more vehicles that were found to be unsafe than the previous year. Tyres were the biggest issue but defective brakes too an alarming jump with 1190 drivers charged last year compared to 181 in 2023. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.
LONGBOW ADD MANAGEMENT HEAVYWEIGHTS TO BOARDLongbow, the electric sports car start up, has announced that Mike Flewitt, Michael van der Sande and Dan Balmer are now on the advisory board. Flewitt was CEO of McLaren, van der Sande was at Alpine and Balmer was the boss of Lotus Europe. They will help the company as it works to bring a £65,000 lightweight two seater electric sports car out in 2027. If you want to find out more, click this Autocar article link here.
JLR THREATEN RIDICULOUS LEGAL ACTIONJLR sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to the Rail Delivery Group, who run the National Rail website, due to them using the phrase “ranger and rover” to refer to ranger tickets and rover tickets. The car company decided that you are all too stupid to work out a rail company was not referring to a Range Rover. You will now only ever see the words if they are as follows, “ranger tickets and rover tickets”. If you wish to learn more,
Citroën ë-C3
"...y and spot the odd ones out. So there's a Citroen EC3 and EC3 Aircross, EC4 and EC4X, the EC5 Aircross ..."
Peugeot E208
"...re are two Nissan's, the Araya and the Micra, the Peugeot E208, E2008 and E-Rifter. The Renault's 4, 5, Alpine A..."
Nissan Micra
"...e-Born. There are two Nissan's, the Araya and the Micra, the Peugeot E208, E2008 and E-Rifter. The Renaul..."
Alpine A290
"...8, E2008 and E-Rifter. The Renault's 4, 5, Alpine A290, McGann Scenic. Yeah, McGann and Scenic."
Renaults 4
"There are two Nissan's, the Araya and the Micra, the Peugeot E208, E2008 and E-Rifter. The Renault's 4, 5, Alpine A290, McGann Scenic. Yeah, McGann and Scenic."
Opel Astra
"Yeah, McGann and Scenic. There's the Vauxhall Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, Corsa Electric, Fr..."
Volkswagen Id3
"There's the Vauxhall Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, Corsa Electric, Frontera Electric, Grandland Electric and Mocha Electric and last but not least there's the Volkswagen ID.3. Almost feels, Alan, when you've run through that list, that the rules don't seem to apply to some companies."
Tesla Model 3
"... buy it? Or is this going to be the Tesla $35,000 Model 3 bait and switch move? Because I tell you, if I wa..."
Ford Ranger
"Yep. What's the difference between a ranger over in a train, Andrew? Well, if you are JLR law..."
Land Rover Range Rover
"...id that they cannot spot the difference between a Range Rover and someone suggesting that they buy a Ranger and..."
Ford Model T
"... are too big because they're all derived from the Model T. So they're all too wide."
Volkswagen Id
"to come out with that statement. Well, I mean the Volkswagen ID platform is the closest one really."
Kia Pcanto
"...d of engines and cutting down model lines. So the Kia Pcanto will only be available with one engine."
Renault 25
"...rent from the one I've chosen That's good and the Renault 25 from 1983"
Aston Martin Lagonda
"I was going to choose the Aston Martin Lagonda series 2 Ultimate early attempts"
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