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Politicians' exhortations to motorists to go electric or use greener means of transportation don't have any impact on their own, but government policies can encourage changes according to an automotive consultant, writes Brian Byrne . "It is when such policies have a financial impact on motorists that things change," UK-based automotive industry consultant Dean Bowkett told the recent Electronomous Car Tech Summit 2018 organised by Cartell.ie . "Everything depends on government policy, and when that policy says you will pay more, you'll change your habits." He was speaking on the theme Electric Vehicles: the heir apparent to the diesel crown? He gave the example of the big switch to diesel cars in Ireland when the CO2-based taxation system offered a financial incentive for motorists to do so. But he described as a 'myth' the perception that it was the Volkswagen diesel debacle that caused the current decline in interest in the fuel. ...

This is the 48-volt 'mild hybrid' system which Volkswagen will provide in the next-generation Golf, writes Brian Byrne . The more powerful battery used in the system will facilitate the starter generator and boosting power to the standard internal combustion engine. It will also enable the car to 'coast' for distances with the engine shutting off and on seamlessly. The battery 'punch' will provide more torque to the powertrain, and will be recharged during braking. The new Golf, the eight generation of the model, will be built on the familiar MQB platform.

Pushing an electrified option strongly, Kia Ireland is rolling out fast chargers throughout its dealer network, writes Trish Whelan . The Irish distributor has partnered with Wallbox for the initiative, which also offers customers the opportunity to buy their own home Wallbox charger, which can provide a full charge in as little as 2.5 hours. Kia already sells the plug-in hybrid Niro compact SUV here, and further hybrid and fully-electric models will be available from the brand in due course. Pictured are Moises Barea, Commercial Director, Wallbox; James Brooks, Managing Director, Kia Motors Ireland; Gerry Cash, Director, Car Chargers.ie and David O’ Connor, Head of Aftersales, Kia Motors Ireland.

Ford's first hybrid electric car is now on sale in Ireland, the Mondeo HEV, priced from €32,745, writes Trish Whelan . Based on the 4-door saloon, the car has a 187hp 2.0 petrol engine with automatic transmission, and is available in both Titanium and Vignale grades. Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, expects that 20pc of next year's Mondeo sales will be hybrids. "It is the the first step in a progressive Electric Vehicle (EV) development plan for Ford that will see 13 new full or partial EVs hit the streets of Europe and North America by 2020," he says. These will include a hybrid version of the iconic Mustang that will deliver V8 power with a 4-cylinder engine. Ford says the Mondeo Hybrid is capable of driving at up to 135 km/h in electric mode and the official fuel consumption rate of 4.2 L/100km compares to that of a 2.0 diesel 150PS Powershift automatic transmission that would deliver a fuel consumption rate of 4.8 L/100km...