Motoring | Winter | 2022

Welcome to the winter 2022 edition of e Southern Star’s popular MOTORING

magazine

Once again we’re bringing you lots of great information and advice on motoring in West Cork!

Whether you’re in the market for a brand new car or commercial vehicle, or a reliable secondhand model, you’ll find no shortage of vehicles to choose from over the following pages.

We’ve also got advice on driving in hazardous conditions, travelling with your beloved pets in the car and some great special offers from local dealerships, while Brian Byrne, e Southern Star’s regular motoring columnist, looks at motoring technology of the future.

As always we ask that you support our advertisers and the local economy. Safe driving!

– e Southern Star team

What’s on the road for 2023?

By Brian Byrne

Although almost all carmakers are still suffering delays in production due to the semi-conductor shortage, the rollout of new models continues to chug along. Taking a general look at what’s been scheduled for the coming year shows plenty of new choices, and is also a clear indication of the relentless advance of electrification in the automotive industry

ALFA ROMEO

e Italian performance brand’s Tonale compact crossover fits below the Stelvio and is the first electrified car from the brand, with mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options depending on market. An all-electric one will follow in due course.

BMW

A brace of performance cars from BMW are the new M2 sports coupe and the M3 Touring fast estate. e coupe is rear wheel drive unlike its more standard 2 Series cousins, while the M3 Touring gets over 500hp and a sub-4 seconds sprint to 100km/h.

e new i7 (pictured) is the next generation of the brand’s big saloon, and for the first time is a full battery electric car. With 544hp and a whale of torque, it is fast power and uncanny silence with a lot of luxury tech.

DS

Hot on the wheels of the very stylish DS 4 comes the large and luxurious DS 9 saloon (pictured) and a restyled DS 3 with the electric version offering longer range. e DS 9 has plugin petrol-hybrid power in two outputs, the more powerful also with AWD.

AUDI

is premium brand is ready to launch a fully electric version of its longtime saloon, the A6 e-tron (pictured). A very stylish exterior will be matched by a roomy interior with lots of dashboard tech. A 480km range is anticipated.

ere will also be a Q8 e-tron crossover, a new name and significantly updated version of the first e-tron SUV, with range from 530km.

DACIA

After the Jogger, look out for the Bigster, a large SUV with good looks and seven seats. A plug-in hybrid option will offer 50km of EV-only driving.

FORD

e blue oval is going strongly down the electric road, but isn’t quite ready to ditch its iconic Mustang coupe with powerful four and V8 internal combustion engines. An all new edgy styling on the classic gives the car a much stronger look. Coming late 2023.

Also on the way is a new medium-sized electric crossover and a sport crossover EV, both not yet publicly revealed and probably 2024 models, as will also be an all-electric Puma. Ford’s new Ranger has ploughed off in its performance Raptor version, with more American looks and a bigger load bed (pictured). A full range of petrol and diesel engines for Europe’s best seller in its space.

HONDA

e sixth generation of Honda’s CR-V should be here by summer 2023 and is bigger and more efficient with new hybrid engines. Much improved interior tech is promised.

MERCEDES-BENZ

e A-Class has been given a significant facelift and arrives with a smarter look and upgraded interior than the current cars. ere have been efficiency upshifts in the petrol and diesel engines, and there’s a new plug-in hybrid based on a 1.3 petrol engine and an 80km EV range. e GLC has been updated too, adding plug-in hybrid engine options as well as tweaks to both outside and interior.

On the electric front, the EQE SUV (pictured) recently revealed will scatter the feathers of the competition from other luxury brands. Superb aerodynamics will help with a claimed 590km range, and there will be high power AMG variations. Its arrival will bering to eight the number of Mercedes-Benz electric models on sale. Watch out too for the EQS SUV.

POLESTAR

With the Polestar 2 garnering some good commentary for this now all-electric brand with Swedish-Chinese heritage, the Polestar 3 (pictured) coming late next year will add cachet and cost more cash. Supercar acceleration and AWD feature.

HYUNDAI

Following the World Car of the Year Ioniq 5, the sleek large coupe styling of the Ioniq 6 will be a head-turner in new electric medium saloon cars. With 325hp and a range well in excess of 700km, the Korean carmaker will be targeting the premium European EVs

JEEP

e Avenger will be Jeep’s first fully-electric offering from the iconic SUV brand, an urban crossover on the same platform as the Corsa-e and e-208 from the parent Stellantis group. Smaller than the Renegade, it previews an all-electric range from Jeep by 2030. An AWD version will be available.

MG

A new MG4 electric car is the first MG model for Europe to be built on the Modular Scaleable Platform developed by MG brand owner SAIC of China, which maximises battery efficiency and reduces weight. e company is claiming a rated range of up to 450km in a style that looks sporty and can accommodate five passengers.

RENAULT

e Megane E-Tech Electric hatchback (pictured) has arrived and making an impression with those of us who have driven it. e style is new generation for the nameplate, the current other versions of which will fade away next year. Two battery sizes, two power options for the EV motors.

ere’s also a replacement for the Kadjar, the Austral, big in style and capability as a family wagon. Petrol and hybrid engines.

KIA

With a four-square solid looking electric SUV, Kia’s EV9 coming in mid-year will be expecting to play in the same space as the Mercedes-Benz EQC. ere also will be a 7-seat option, and among the tweaks will be solar panels on the bodywork. A range of over 480km is expected.

PEUGEOT

An all-electric version of the 308 will come in mid-year filling out the powertrain offerings from a smart car that launched earlier this year, with a range or around 400km. An estate version will be available.

A 408 fastback is a completely new car from the Lion brand and has an unusually aggressive styling from this French carmaker. If the format looks familiar, take a look at companion model Citroen C5 X.

VOLKSWAGEN

e ID. Buzz, winner of the Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year 2023 in association with Continental, is providing all the buzz for this maker at the moment. All electric, the MPV is cute and tickles the retro iconicals while offering EV for family-level ‘taxi’ work.

e Amarok pickup has come back too, with diesel engines and help from Ford in a partnership arrangement between the two mighty makers.

An ID. 3 GTX will have 200hp and AWD and will inject some hot-hatch magic to the base EV from VW. Remember GTi and R? ey’re being X-ed out.

VOLVO

e big news from Volvo is for its biggest car, the new EX90 recently revealed but still a way out from sale yet. A full electric successor to the XC90, it will, surprise surprise, emphasise safety along with the familiar current Volvo style. Tech on board will be ready for whatever fully-autonomous future is around the corner.

Your pets, your car

While driving around with your dog, their head out the window and fur blowing in the wind all sounds very dreamy and movie-like, there are many risks to both you and your pet. Let’s have a look at how you can best look after your four-legged friends while travelling in a vehicle, by Niamh Hayes

IT’S A legal requirement to restrain pets in a vehicle so that they don’t distract the driver or cause injury to themselves or anyone else in the event of a crash or incident. You don’t want them loose around the vehicle, getting in the way of the steering wheel or climbing under pedals.

e easiest way to restrain a dog is with a safety harness. ese are available for dogs of various sizes, sit around their chest and back and then clip into the seatbelt fitting. e harness gives the dog the freedom to move around ever so slightly, without becoming a danger to themselves or others in the car. For smaller dogs and other pets like cats, a pet carrier or crate can be a safer option. ese sit comfortably on a seat or on the floor and should be secured if possible with a seatbelt so that it doesn’t move around, particularly if the driver has to brake suddenly. Just make sure that you don’t

put the carrier with the pet in it into the boot of a saloon car as they could suffocate as a result of the lack of air.

If you have an estate car, SUV, jeep or hatchback, a metal guard can be placed behind the back seats and your pet can go in the boot. While it does give them some extra freedom, it provides less security than a harness or carrier as they could be thrown around if the vehicle has to stop suddenly. You can use a harness here too to provide extra security.

ink of the temperature

We often hear that we shouldn’t leave pets in a car when it’s hot outside but the same goes for when it’s cold. If it’s

Like their owners, many dogs love the open road and the fun of a spin in the car, but safety is paramount.

Inset:

It’s important to bring adequate water and maybe even food on road trips.

Below: Cages are a good option for smaller animals like cats. ey keep them safe in the vehicle, while also preventing them from escaping while the doors are open.

unsafe for a human then it’s the same for your pet, even if they have naturally occurring thick coats. Hypothermia is a risk but even if they don’t end up with that, you don’t want them shivering and uncomfortable. Have a blanket onboard in case it gets chilly on journeys or in the event of a breakdown.

Keep them relaxed

If your pet is restless in the car, make sure they are well fed, hydrated and exercised before putting them into a vehicle for a long trip.

Take them for a long walk beforehand to tire them out and feed

them well a couple of hours beforehand to allow them enough time to digest the food, particularly if they suffer from travel sickness.

Be sure to bring water and treats for the journey and open the window every now and again to give them some fresh air.

For long journeys, stop every so often and allow the pet to get out and move around. Just like humans, they need to get out and stretch their legs and will need to use the toilet. If you do pull over, keep them on a lead so that they don’t run out onto the road.

For anxious pets, a journey in a vehicle can be a distressing experience. If you are using a pet carrier, allow yourself enough time to get them in, use a positive tone of voice and relaxed body

language. A pet will easily pick up on your emotions so if you are frantically trying to get them into the carrier, this will in turn make them more anxious and you’ll find it more difficult to get them settled.

If your pet isn’t used to the vehicle or going on long journeys, take it step by step. Get them used to being near your parked vehicle, then get them to go into it when its stationary and let them get a feel for the space.

Incorporate treats, toys and play time at each stage to help them feel good. Try out the harness or carrier while stationary.

Once you feel they are comfortable with each step, take them on short journeys to get them used to the experience, motion and noises. Take them somewhere that they will enjoy, such as a beach or park. Try your best to ensure each journey is a positive experience for them so that when it comes to more stressful journeys, like going to the vet, they will be able to manage them better.

Dog-proofing your vehicle

e next thing to keep in mind is how to dog-proof your vehicle and keep it clean and tidy.

Waterproof seat covers are an easy way of keeping your car nice and clean and dry. ey can be washed so that you’re not left with muddy paw prints all over your vehicle.

To make your pet extra comfortable, use a pet bed or car seat that you can place onto the seat. e pet can still be harnessed in and attached to the seatbelt. If you are placing them into the boot of an estate car, SUV, jeep or hatchback with a metal guard, pop down a rubber mat to avoid them slipping and sliding around.

A car ramp or set of steps to allow your pet go into the vehicle themselves can be helpful for those with joint or mobility issues and who can’t jump into the vehicle. It will also save your back from having to lift them in.

A travel water bowl that is spill-proof can be used in the car to keep your pet hydrated.

To get rid of pet odour, wash anything that is removable and vacuum regularly. A handheld vacuum can be very handy for use in vehicles. en use a product to help get rid of the smell. ere are many out there on the market but a simple homemade solution is to mix equal parts white vinegar and water and spray it onto seats and floors. You can also place a bowl of baking soda in your vehicle overnight. is will attract the odour and get it out of the fabrics. Whether it’s short or long journeys that you plan to go on, try and make them as comfortable and pleasant as possible for your pet so that everyone involved can enjoy the experience!

2019 AUDI A4

Limousine 2.0 Tdi 150 S-Tronic 4Dr SE Auto, Saloon, 73,323 Miles, 2.0L, 2019, Grey, Automatic, Diesel, 1 Owner, 150Bhp, NCT 07/2023. Available for immediate delivery. Nationwide delivery.

Features include: Air Conditioning, Electric Windows, Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control, Electric Mirrors, Immobiliser, Leather Upholstery, Automatic Wipers, Automatic Lights, Centre Armrest, Multi-function steering wheel, Traction Control, Metallic Paint, Multiple Air Bags, Parking Sensors, Bluetooth, Remote Central Locking, Dual Zone Climate Control.

2016 VOLVO V40

Very good 2016 Volvo V40 Cross Country 2.0 Diesel. Hatchback, 75, 187 Miles, Bronze, Manual, 1 Owner, NCT 12/2022. Features include: Air Conditioning, CD Player, Electric Windows, Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control, Immobiliser, Full Leather, Centre Armrest, Luggage Cover, Multi-function steering wheel, Roof Rails, Traction Control, Metallic Paint, Multiple Air Bags, Parking Sensors, Bluetooth, Remote Central Locking, EBD, Folding rear seats, Six speed transmission, Isofix, Active Braking System, Stop/Start Button, Daytime Running Lights, 2 Keys.

2021 PEUGEOT 508

All-Electric Power

SW GT-LINE 1.5 HDI 130 4dr, Estate, 6, 151 Miles, Red, Manual, Diesel, 1 Owner, NCT 05/2025.

Features include: Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control, Immobiliser, Rear Spoiler, Automatic Wipers, Automatic Lights, Luggage Cover, Satellite Navigation, Traction Control, Parking Sensors, Bluetooth, Remote Central Locking, EBD, Electronic handbrake, Folding rear seats, Six speed transmission, Isofix, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Keyless Entry, Heated Front Seats, Reversing Camera, Front Parking Sensors, Dual Zone Climate Control.

FORD E - TRANSIT VAN

e new E-Transit is Ford’s first all-electric van. e electric Ford Transit has been purpose-built to help your business meet its sustainability targets, without compromising on toughness, capability, or versatility. A 400volt battery with 68 kWh of usable power does all the hard work, so you’ll never have to worry about low-emission zones again. e E-Transit battery delivers an impressive range of up to 317 km on a single charge. Available in two height and three length variations, the E-Transit will offer up to 15.1 cubic metres of cargo space. In fact, there are 25 different configurations, so whatever your requirements, there’s an E-Transit to suit your business.

Smarter Technology

2018 HYUNDAI I30

Get ready for the All-New Ford Ranger Raptor: the ultimate 4x4 pick-up truck from Ford Performance in Europe. Ford Rangers are known for their toughness. e All-New, next generation Raptor is the toughest yet. Equipped with a twin turbo charged V6 288 PS EcoBoost petrol engine, sublime suspension utilising Fox shock absorbers, and an extreme ‘Baja’ driving mode. is vehicle is all about performance.

Ford Transit Centre

201 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

2.0TDI 150BHP BUSINESS

WAS €31,995 NOW €29,995 SAVING €2,000, 81,732kms, Manganese grey metal. Features included: ABS, Flat Tyre Indicator, Driver Airbag, Child Locks, Daytime Running Lights, Multiple Airbags, Immobiliser, Cruise Control, Power Steering, Auto Lights and Wipers, Hill Hold, Remote Central Locking, Stop and Start System, Centralised locking, Adjustable Steering Column, Armrest, Climate Control, Bluetooth Phone, Split Fold Rear Seats, Air Conditioning, Dual ClimateControl, Lumbar support, Alloy Wheels, Electric Windows, Front Fog Lights, Metallic Paint, Full Service History, Hill start assist.

UPGRADE

WAS €31,995 NOW €32,995 SAVING €1,000, Pure white, 75,345kms, ABS, Flat Tyre Indicator, Child Locks, ISO Fix, Passenger Airbag, Daytime Running Lights, ESP, Multiple Airbags, Immobiliser, Auto Handbrake, Servotronic Steering, Auto Lights and Wipers, Hill Hold, Stop and Start System, Centralised locking, Parking Assistance, Satellite Navigation, Adjustable Steering Column, Armrest, Touchscreen Stereo, Bluetooth Phone, Split Fold Rear Seats, USB, Dual Climate-Control, Heated Seats, Lumbar Support, Full Service History, Front Assist, Rear View Camera.

151 SEAT TOLEDO 1.6TDI 105BHP SE,

251,356kms, €7,995, Reflex silver metallic, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/ wheel, Air Conditioning, Bluetooth Phone, Climate Control, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows, Front Electric Windows, Height adjustable drivers seat, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Outside temperature meter, Radio/CD/MP3, Rear Electric Windows, Remote Boot Release,

OPEL RANGE

192 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2.0TDI 150BHP HIGHLINE WITH TECHNOLOGY

Getting ready for the fully self -driving (and safer) car

BY BRIAN BYRNE

I remember when disc brakes and ABS anti-skid braking systems first started to appear, each potentially bringing us out of the scary places of unpredictable behaviour by our cars and their drivers in emergency situations. One maker offered ABS or sunroofs as options on a high-selling model, and buyers plumped overwhelmingly for the sunroofs instead of the safety system.

Just goes to show, while we all were in favour of better motoring safety, we weren’t prepared to sacrifice perceived comfort for it.

Eventually the authorities made it mandatory for carmakers to include ABS on their products as standard, and the leap to the next level of safety was made. It was the same with seat-belts, until they were made an integral part of a car’s equipment, and then mandatory wearing was regulated, a large cohort of drivers just weren’t interested. My father’s Ford Consul, in which I learned to drive, had the first seatbelts in town — and he had to have the car structure drilled for their installation.

We have come a long way even in my half-century of driving. We have connected cars, satellite navigation, automatic emergency braking (EAB) and a plethora of other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). We have sensors and computer chips everywhere in our vehicles, many which we’re not even aware of. Even in our smallest cars there’s the availability of Level

2 autonomous driving technology (that’s the stage where we still have to keep our hands on the wheel and eyes on the road). At the powertrain end, electrification is barreling on. While the internal combustion engine will continue to have a place for some time, in different markets, in places like Europe the battery electric vehicle is well on course to become dominant in short order. Many of these things have come about not just because carmakers are constantly trying to give more than their competitors, but also because regulatory authorities have insisted on them, in efforts to cut road deaths and injuries, or to mitigate the impact of transport on climate change.

One example is the European New Car Assessment Programme (ENCAP) crash test regime, which is independent of governments. ough there’s no direct regulation requiring a car model to achieve a minimum or maximum number of stars, carmakers vie to reach the maximum of five all the time, not least as a marketing tool. ing is, the goalposts are constantly being changed, and now to get five stars the model

Motoring technology has come a long way in a relatively short period of time – but are you prepared for the next big step forward?

has to include a full suite of ADAS technology. e 5-star car of a decade ago would probably not achieve 2-star rating today. Can we measure the effect of having these improved, and expensive technologies in terms of road deaths? Well, indirectly yes. For instance, in 2006 there were 365 road traffic fatalities in Ireland, but last year just 119 people lost their lives on our roads. Some of that is better traffic enforcement, but a big chunk can be from substantially safer cars. Go back further, in 1978 there were 628 fatalities, a time also when there were far fewer cars in use. And last week came joint research results from the University of Limerick and Luxembourg-based scientists that suggested that installing ADAS technology on all cars could reduce the current level of road incidents by almost a quarter. In particular they found that automatic emergency braking reduces three out of four of the most frequent accident categories – intersection (by 28pc), rear-end (by 27.7pc), and pedestrian accidents (by 28.4pc). e conclusions are based on UK road statistics but the research team believe similar results could be achieved in Ireland.

at brings us to the future trends in technologically-improved safety. is is autonomous driving to the next levels, managed by artificial intelligence and the increasingly connected and sensor-rich car. e modelling by carmakers and technology providers shows that there would undoubtedly be significant further safety improvements by reduced driver error. But is there a mass belief in this amongst drivers? Well, it depends on where you ask, and what you’re asking.

Recently published research from the safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation found that on a global basis, only a little over a quarter (27pc) of respondents would feel safe in a fully self-driving car. Education levels were important to the results — more than one third (35pc) of those with post-secondary education would feel safe, compared to only a quarter (25pc) of those with primary education or less. Internet access was also independently associated with feeling safe — across each educational level, the proportion who said they would feel safe was at least nine percentage points higher among those with internet access than among those without. e country that came out with the highest level of acceptance was Denmark at 45pc, followed by the UAE and Afghanistan at 44pc each, and Italy, Spain, Kyrgystan and Sweden in the 40s percentile. ere’s no figure for Ireland, but we could conceivably be up there too. Bottom line, the future challenge facing car manufacturers is as much about convincing people

that driverless vehicles are safe to travel in as about developing the technology itself.

ere’s a lot of bar-counter negativism about full self-driving cars ever becoming mainstream. But here’s a question — how would you have explained the computer to your grandfather when he was your age? Or your smartphone? Or GPS? Or relatively affordable travel to Australia in jet planes that most of the time fly on automatic pilot and are also capable of landing autonomously?

e lesson? ... we have no idea of what technologies will develop even in the next decade that will allow for fully self-driving cars to become mainstream. Or even, at the other extreme, make the need for cars unnecessary.

Beam me up, Scotty.

(Don’t laugh. at dummy ‘universal communicator’ that Star Trek actors used in the original series is the smartphone in your hand today.)

Is your vehicle winter-ready?

Driving in bad weather is hazardous, before ever considering the possibility of a flat tyre or a breakdown. You don’t have to be a boy scout, but you do have to be prepared

IN addition to getting your vehicle routinely serviced before the worst of the season’s weather sets in, the Road Safety Authority has some great advice on how to have your vehicle (and yourself) well

CHECKLIST

Lights - Make sure all your indicators and headlamps are clean and working.

Liquids - Make sure the water reservoir is up to the maximum mark and correctly mixed with anti-freeze. You may also need to top up your coolant and screen wash.

Oil - Check your dipstick and top up the oil if necessary. Look for signs of leakages on the ground under the car.

Electrics - Check your dashboard before and after starting the engine. Listen for a weak battery and replace, if necessary.

Windscreen wipers - you should clean them regularly and replace them every 12 months.

Tyres - Check your tyre treads and pressure, including the spare. While the minimum legal limit is 1.6mm, a minimum tread of 3mm is advised for winter driving. Check your spare tyre and familiarise yourself with the tools required to change a flat.

Safety Assist - Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and find out if it has any safety assist technology that you can use e.g. ABS.

BE PREPARED

It’s important to have the following items in your vehicle at all times. ey should be in good condition and easy to locate in the dark or under inclement weather conditions.

High visibility vest or jacket.

A hazard warning triangle.

• A torch with charged batteries - check it monthly.

Spare fuses and bulbs.

De-icing equipment (Both for glass and door locks).

First Aid kit.

A map or GPS (charged).

• Appropriate clothing and footwear in case you have to leave your vehicle.

A charged mobile phone.

Some simple supplies to sustain yourself (drink and food).

If possible use your phone to check and make note of the Eircode of your location in the event of an accident or breakdown. is could be very useful to emergency services trying to locate you.

PLANNING A JOURNEY IN WINTER

Do you really have to travel by car? You could:

Consider delaying your trip until the weather and road conditions improve. Use public transport where available.

If you really have to travel by road, be prepared for severe conditions

Ensure your vehicle has a more than adequate supply of fuel for the journey. If possible, keep your fuel tank full in winter.

Check your emergency equipment.

Allow extra time and drive with caution. Let someone know your route and when you expect to arrive.

• Check to see if there are any problems on your intended route before you leave. Information is available from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, website traffic.tii.ie and you can follow them on Twitter @TIITraffic.

Listen to TV or radio bulletins and check the weather forecast. Remember that the best road conditions are likely to occur between 10am and 4pm.

• If you do not know your route, and are using SatNav/GPS, be sure it does not bring you over a dangerous route, such as across mountainous terrain or along narrow back-roads, which may be hazardous due to snow and ice. Do not rely totally on a SatNav/GPS, look at your route on a map.

More detailed advice on using the roads in severe weather can be found on the Severe Weather Advice area of the Road Safety Authority website www.rsa.ie

Blackwater Motors Group announces donation of 231 Volkswagen van and launch Of Food Drive Appeal

Blackwater Motors Group have announced that they will donate a 231 Volkswagen Crafter to Cork Penny Dinners to help the charity carry out their much-needed duties in delivering food parcels to those that need their help in Cork City and County.

To mark the announcement, Catriona Twomey from Cork Penny Dinners and Audi Cork Brand Ambassadors, Peter O’ Mahony and Lisa Jordan visited the newest Blackwater Motors dealership, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Centre located in Wilton.

Speaking at the announcement, Blackwater Motors and Audi Cork Group Fleet Manager, David McSweeney and a long-term volunteer with Cork Penny Dinners, said, ‘Being involved with Cork Penney Dinners, I know how much the charity will benefit from the donation of the van.

On behalf of Cork Penny Dinners, I would like to thank the Blackwater Motors Group for their valued support.’

As well as the donation of the Crafter, the Blackwater Motors Group is coming together for the second year, to run a food drive appeal in all of their dealerships across Cork city and county.

e drive runs until Tuesday, December 20th, with staff members, customers and the general public being asked to drop non -perishable items at any of the dealerships which will then be redistributed to Cork Penny Dinners during Christmas week.

November new car registrations down by 12.3% and more drivers making the switch to electric vehicles

e Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), has released the official 222 new vehicle registration figures for November.

New car registrations for November were down 12.3% (982) when compared to November 2021 (1,120). Registrations year to date are marginally up 0.47% (105,039) on the same period last year (104,545) and are 10.13% behind (116,885) that of pre-Covid levels.

Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are up 14.6% (880) compared to November last year (768) and year to date are down 18.0% (23,320). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle)*registrations are down 31.2% (130) in comparison to November 2021 (189). Year to date HGV’s are down 8.7% (2,431).

Used car imports for November (3,295) have seen a decrease of 25.9% on November 2021 (4,445). Year to date imports are down 26.6% (44,047) on 2021 (59,984).

For the month of November 343 new electric vehicles were registered compared to 190 in November 2021. So far this year 15,591 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to 8,528 on the same period 2021, an increase of 82.8%.

Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share, with a combined market share now of 41%. Petrol continues to remain dominant with 30.18%, Diesel accounts for 26.78%, Hybrid 19.30, Electric 14.84% and Plug-in Electric Hybrid 6.77%.

Commenting on the new vehicle registrations Tom Cullen, Deputy Director General SIMI said:

‘November new car registrations are down 12.3% on the same month last year, while the new car market remains marginally ahead (0.47%) year to date, it is still over 10% behind 2019 (pre-COVID levels). Electric car sales continue to grow strongly with over 15,591 electric cars sold this year and for the first time in 2022 Electric Vehicles are the top selling engine type for the month of November. With the forthcoming announcement of the revised Climate Action Plan, it is fundamental that policymakers support their climate ambitions and invest in the electrification project.

‘ e strong performance of the electric vehicle market is down to the vital support of the SEAI grant scheme and incentives encouraging consumers to make the switch to EVs. Any early removal or reduction in supports will only lead to less demand, increased cost to change, restrained consumer confidence, and place Ireland further down the manufactures list in terms of EV supply availability.

‘ e new car market is already experiencing challenges with supply and the rising energy costs. Any further constraints could hamper the growth of the EV market. We need the new car market to grow significantly over the next few years if we are to optimise transport emission reductions and help to create a used EV market reaching a wider constituency of motorists. e national charging infrastructure is fundamental to instilling confidence in the Electric Vehicle transition and its development also needs to remain ahead of demand.’

Audi Cork ambassadors Peter O’ Mahony and Lisa Jordan with representatives of Blackwater Motors at the presentation of a VW Crafter van to Catriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners.

200 businesses set to take part in a free commercial fleet trial for electric cars and vans across Ireland

Fully electric vehicles are being be loaned to 200 businesses free of charge for three months to show how an EV can work for their business, save money and emissions. 50 fully electric vehicles are available; 30 M1 passenger cars and 20 N1 light commercial vehicles (vans). e innovative trial is designed to encourage the drive towards ambitious targets set in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and play a part in reducing our emissions.

e Department of Transport and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announced the launch of this Commercial Fleet Trial recently and businesses will be trialling a fully electric vehicle to see how they can work for their business to save money and emissions. Two hundred businesses nationwide will have the use of an EV for three months at no cost to them, along with the option to install an EV charger. 14 business across Sligo, Limerick, Louth, Wexford, Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Galway will receive their cars by the end of this month.

Speaking about the scheme, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, said: ‘Ireland’s Climate Action Plan sets down ambitious targets for electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030 to help reduce our emissions. An important component in achieving this target is the electrification of the commercial fleet sector. Businesses up and down the country are already telling us that they are keen to make the switch to more sustainable practices, but they also need to know that the switches they want to make are going to be good for their bottom-line. e findings from this trial will give us real-world feedback and provide us with the evidence to encourage even more businesses to switch to electric. Innovative trials like this are more important than ever in finding solutions for reducing our emissions and ensuring that Irish business continues to thrive.’

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: ‘Electric vehicles are a great option for businesses across a wide range of industries. Given the increased costs of business they can help reduce fuel costs, have lower maintenance costs and lower tolls. ey also allow businesses to operate with reduced emissions and show customers that they are contributing to a cleaner more sustainable environment. is trial will showcase the financial and emissions savings achieved by a variety of different businesses by switching to electric.’

e trial will be co-ordinated by Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland, an office of the Department of Transport and SEAI. To find out more about this trial and the benefits of switching to an EV, visit gov.ie/zevi and seai.ie.

Aoife O’Grady, Head of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland at the Department of Transport and William Walsh, CEO of SEAI at the launch of a free Commercial Fleet Trial. 200 businesses will be trialling a fully electric vehicle to see how they can work for their business to save money and emissions. (Photo: Conor McCabe Photography)