SMMT blasts EV sales targets, Big Motoring World court case continues, and what's going on at Cargiant? – with Martin Miller, episode 247
About this episode
Martin Miller from EV Experts discusses the evolving electric vehicle market, highlighting increased demand despite supply challenges and changing customer profiles. The conversation touches on the psychological impact of rising petrol prices on EV sales, the importance of well-prepared adverts, and the shift from early adopters to a broader audience. Martin shares insights on popular EV models, emphasizing the Volkswagen platform and cautioning against older Nissan Leafs due to battery concerns. The episode also covers dealer experiences, upcoming events like Cardiolive, and a humorous auction challenge involving dealer purchases.
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Auto Trader
"I think Auto Trader told us at one point it's at least a couple of weeks before the people who are considering your cars actually make contact."
Auto Trader is a website where people can look for cars to buy or sell their cars. It's like an online car shop where many cars are listed.
Auto Trader is a popular online marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars, widely used in the UK and other countries. It provides a platform for dealers and private sellers to advertise vehicles and for buyers to browse listings.
Jeep Renegade
"... bad. The other one, I'm pretty sure, was a Jeep Renegade that sold really fast. It did sell really fast, ..."
The Jeep Renegade is a small SUV made by Jeep. It can drive on rough roads and is good for both city and outdoor use.
The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV that combines Jeep's off-road heritage with urban practicality. It is popular for its distinctive styling and capability in a smaller package.
Renault Zoe
""So we used to sell a lot of Zoe and a lot of Nissan Leaf. We don't stock either of those in any big volumes.""
The Renault Zoe is a small electric car that is good for driving in cities. It doesn't use petrol and needs to be charged with electricity.
The Renault Zoe is a compact electric hatchback popular in Europe, known for its affordability and city-friendly range. It has been a common entry-level EV for many buyers.
Nissan Leaf
""So we used to sell a lot of Zoe and a lot of Nissan Leaf. We don't stock either of those in any big volumes.""
The Nissan Leaf is a fully electric car that many people buy because it doesn't use petrol or diesel. It can drive a good distance on a single charge.
The Nissan Leaf is a popular all-electric hatchback that helped pioneer mainstream electric vehicle adoption. It offers practical range and affordability, making it a common choice for early EV buyers.
air-cooled battery
"Also the Nissan Leaf has an air-cooled battery, which is not great for longevity where everything else is water-cooled."
Some electric car batteries are cooled by air blowing over them instead of using liquid. This can make the battery wear out faster because it doesn't stay as cool.
An air-cooled battery uses airflow to manage its temperature instead of liquid coolant. This method is simpler but less effective at maintaining optimal battery temperatures, which can impact battery life and performance.
water-cooled battery
"Also the Nissan Leaf has an air-cooled battery, which is not great for longevity where everything else is water-cooled."
Some electric car batteries use liquid to keep them cool. This helps the battery last longer and work better, especially when charging fast or driving hard.
Water-cooled batteries use liquid coolant to regulate battery temperature more effectively than air cooling. This helps improve battery longevity and performance, especially under heavy use or fast charging.
Volkswagen ID.3
"When you get an ID.3 under £20,000, it's the same price as the equivalent petrol-auto Golf. If you can charge at home and let's face it, 60% of Brits can, or charge on your street or workplace, which then gets the number up to 80%, it's a no-brainer."
The Volkswagen ID.3 is an electric car that looks like a small hatchback. It's made to be affordable and easy to use, just like regular petrol cars.
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a compact electric hatchback built on Volkswagen's MEB platform, designed to be an affordable and practical EV for mass-market adoption. It competes with traditional petrol cars like the Golf in price and usability.
Volkswagen Golf
"When you get an ID.3 under £20,000, it's the same price as the equivalent petrol-auto Golf."
The Volkswagen Golf is a well-known small car that runs on petrol and can have an automatic gearbox. Many people like it because it's easy to drive and reliable.
The Volkswagen Golf is a popular compact hatchback available with petrol engines and automatic transmissions. It has been a benchmark in the segment for decades.
Skoda
"We also like the Skoda version, the Cooper version, the Ford Explorer. We love those, they're really good."
Skoda is a car company from the Czech Republic that makes cars which are good value and share parts with Volkswagen cars.
Skoda is a Czech automotive brand owned by Volkswagen Group, known for producing practical and affordable cars often sharing platforms and technology with Volkswagen models.
Chinese cars
"I hear customers say, oh, what's happening with all the Chinese cars? Well, let's, you know, the Chinese are important, but more important are the Koreans."
Chinese cars are cars made by companies from China. They are becoming more popular because they often cost less and have many features.
Chinese cars refer to vehicles manufactured by Chinese automakers, which have been increasingly entering global markets with competitive pricing and features, challenging established brands.
EV
"I would say, Kira, Nero, EV, you know, you can't fault it. It's what the gulf used to be, it's 8 out of 10 on everything."
An EV is a car that runs only on electricity stored in batteries, so it doesn't use gas or diesel like regular cars.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, which is a car powered entirely by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, rather than traditional internal combustion engines.
warranty
"I think we've published research in the past from some of the warranty companies that sort of backs up some of those claims."
A warranty is like a promise from the car seller that if something breaks within a certain time, they will fix it for free or at a low cost.
A warranty is a guarantee provided by the manufacturer or dealer that covers repairs or replacements for a certain period after purchase, protecting the buyer from unexpected repair costs.
battery state of health
"There's state of health of the battery, and that basically shows how much the car's worn out."
Battery state of health tells you how good or worn out the electric car's battery is compared to when it was brand new.
Battery state of health (SoH) is a measure of the current condition and capacity of an electric vehicle's battery compared to when it was new, indicating how much the battery has degraded over time.
battery health
"However, battery health will just tell you how much worn out, and you know that a battery should lose 2% per annum,"
Battery health tells you how much the battery in an electric car has worn down. A healthier battery means the car can drive farther before needing a recharge.
Battery health indicates the current capacity of an electric vehicle's battery compared to its original capacity when new. It helps estimate how much the battery has degraded over time, which affects driving range and performance.
battery fault
"But then you've also got battery faults. Now, battery faults are a bit like a cam belt."
A battery fault means something is wrong with the car's battery, which can cause problems or make it unsafe. Sometimes the company has to fix it by recalling the car.
A battery fault in an electric vehicle refers to a malfunction or defect in the battery pack that can lead to reduced performance, safety risks, or the need for repair or replacement. These faults can sometimes trigger manufacturer recalls.
manufacturer safety recall
"or more likely is a manufacturer puts a safety recall out. The big ones at the moment are, for example, the Volvo EX30."
Sometimes car companies find a problem that could be dangerous and ask owners to bring their cars in to get it fixed for free. This is called a recall.
A manufacturer safety recall is an official request by a car maker to fix or replace a defective part or system in vehicles that pose safety risks. Recalls are often free for owners and aim to prevent accidents or failures.
Volvo EX30
"The big ones at the moment are, for example, the Volvo EX30. You know, there are 30,000 units, I think, that have got to be recalled to have three battery cells replaced."
The Volvo EX30 is a small electric SUV made by Volvo. Some of these cars need a battery fix because of a safety issue.
The Volvo EX30 is a compact electric SUV introduced by Volvo, known for its modern design and electric powertrain. It has recently been subject to a battery recall affecting tens of thousands of units.
battery cell
"that have got to be recalled to have three battery cells replaced. And they've told all owners to only charge the car to 70%."
A battery cell is one small part inside the big battery that helps store electricity to power the car.
A battery cell is a single electrochemical unit within a battery pack that stores and releases electrical energy. Electric vehicle batteries are made up of many cells connected together to provide the required voltage and capacity.
charging limit (70%)
"And they've told all owners to only charge the car to 70%. And that's a hard ask, because you know,"
Charging the car only up to 70% means not filling the battery all the way to keep it safe and avoid problems.
A charging limit set at 70% means owners are advised to only charge their electric vehicle's battery up to 70% of its full capacity to reduce stress on the battery and prevent safety issues during a recall.
Hyundai Kona Electric
"And exactly the same happened with the Kona about five years ago."
The Hyundai Kona Electric is an electric SUV that had some battery problems a few years ago and needed to be fixed.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a popular electric SUV known for its range and affordability. It experienced a notable battery recall about five years ago due to safety concerns.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
"Mercedes have just about announced the EQA as well, EQA, EQB."
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is a bigger electric SUV that can carry more people and is part of Mercedes' electric car range.
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is a slightly larger electric SUV than the EQA, offering more space and seating, part of Mercedes' EQ electric vehicle lineup.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
"Mercedes have just about announced the EQA as well, EQA, EQB."
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is a small electric SUV that combines electric power with Mercedes' luxury and style.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is a compact electric SUV from Mercedes' EQ line, offering electric mobility with luxury features. It is part of Mercedes' expanding electric vehicle portfolio.
full service history
"unless it hasn't got full service history. So I would say what matters, full service history matters more an electric car than it does on a petrol diesel."
Full service history means having a paper or digital record that shows all the times the car was checked and fixed by mechanics. This helps prove the car was taken care of properly.
Full service history is a complete record of all maintenance and servicing performed on a vehicle. It is especially important for electric cars to verify proper upkeep and avoid costly repairs, as it shows the car has been regularly checked and maintained.
HV connectors
"When they check a battery, they check the fact that the HV connectors are working. That means that the battery is getting the right voltage."
HV connectors are special plugs that carry the battery's power to the car. If they don't work right, the car might not get enough power or could have problems.
HV connectors are high-voltage connectors in electric vehicles that link the battery pack to the vehicle's electrical system. Proper functioning ensures the battery delivers the correct voltage to power the car efficiently and safely.
cell voltage balancing
"make sure all the voltages on all the cells are balanced. And if they're not balanced, that's a reason. It might mean that the battery needs to be rebalanced,"
Inside the battery, there are many small parts called cells. They need to have the same amount of power. Balancing makes sure they all work together well so the battery lasts longer.
Cell voltage balancing is the process of ensuring all individual cells within a battery pack have equal voltage levels. Balanced cells improve battery performance and longevity, while unbalanced cells can cause early battery degradation.
Tesla
"Because Tesla is the source of all knowledge, of course, and Tesla originally didn't say to people to service their cars, that rumor has got to the street, but it's absolutely not true."
Tesla is a company that makes electric cars, which run on batteries instead of gasoline. They are famous for making cars that can drive themselves and have long battery ranges.
Tesla is a leading American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovation in battery technology, electric drivetrains, and autonomous driving features. It has significantly influenced the electric car market and public perception of EVs.
petrol car
"better to drive than a petrol car, then there's somebody on the other side of the fence who's,"
A petrol car is a regular car that runs on gasoline, which is the fuel you put in at the gas station. It uses an engine that burns this fuel to move.
A petrol car is a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline (petrol). It is the traditional type of car that most people are familiar with, producing emissions and requiring fuel from gas stations.
classic car
"Bit like going out in a classic car, right? Really, really good."
A classic car is an old car that many people like because it looks nice or reminds them of the past. Driving one can be fun and different from driving newer cars.
A classic car is an older vehicle, often considered collectible or historically significant, that is appreciated for its design, engineering, and nostalgic value. Driving a classic car can provide a unique and enjoyable experience compared to modern vehicles.
Volkswagen e-Golf
"I mean, we had this weird one with the e-golf that I've been talking to you about, where it won't charge on a fast charger."
The Volkswagen e-Golf is a regular Golf car but powered by electricity instead of petrol or diesel.
The Volkswagen e-Golf is an electric version of the popular Golf hatchback, featuring a battery electric powertrain.
fast charger
"where it won't charge on a fast charger. I had no idea what it was."
A fast charger is a special charger that fills up an electric car's battery much faster than normal chargers.
A fast charger is a high-powered electric vehicle charger that can recharge a car's battery much quicker than standard chargers.
Motorway
"and exclusive research from headline sponsors, Auto Trader, as well as Google, Motorway,"
Motorway is a website that helps people sell their cars quickly by connecting them with dealers who want to buy.
Motorway is an online platform that facilitates the sale of used cars by connecting private sellers and dealers, offering competitive pricing and a streamlined selling process.
Cox Automotive
"and exclusive research from headline sponsors, Auto Trader, as well as Google, Motorway, Cox Automotive,"
Cox Automotive is a big company that helps car dealers and manufacturers by providing tools and services to buy, sell, and manage cars.
Cox Automotive is a global company providing automotive services and technology solutions, including vehicle auctions, inventory management, and data analytics for dealers and manufacturers.
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