Bundle of joy: VW Golf’s electric version helped owners save significant sums of money when compared to its fossil fuel avatars | Image credit: DigitalTrends

Study: Electric cars already cheaper to run than petrol, diesel variants across 5 EU countries

A new four-year study by the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT) reports that the electric variant of the VW Golf – Europe’s best selling car – was cheaper to own and run than its petrol and diesel variants across Norway, Netherlands, Germany, France and UK. The cost advantage was due to electric cars enjoying lower/no registration taxes, lower parking rates and lower “fuel” expenses. The study again drives home the economic incentives of switching to e-mobility.

However, where Norwegian electric car owners enjoyed the highest savings over diesel (27%), UK’s recent rollback of EV incentives caused its residents’ savings to fall to the lowest, at 5%.

France to pump in €700 million to boost local EV battery manufacturing capacity

French president Emmanuel Macron has announced that the country will invest €700 million over the next five years to set up EV battery manufacturing capacities – both in France and in Germany – to counter the heavy influx of Chinese batteries. Macron expressed concern that Europe did not have adequate manufacturing capacities of its own, and that it was so dependant on Asian imports.

His plan has already found support from French automakers PSA (Peugeot’s parent brand) and Renault, who have agreed (in principle) to source EU-made EV batteries.

Delhi’s draft EV policy to expand, cover all LCVs for electrification

The Delhi government will reportedly expand the freight category defined under its 2018 draft EV policy to cover all light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Most of these are diesel-powered and used as delivery vehicles, as well as for last mile connectivity. The step is being taken as it could help reduce the vehicular pollution load on the city.

The government is also planning to explore battery solutions other than swappable batteries. Funding for subsidising the electrification of these target vehicles – and setting up the requisite charging infrastructure – is mostly likely to come from the state’s EV fund.

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