Boreal, the new high-tech, head-turning SUV to wow markets beyond Europe

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. Renault takes the next step in its International Game Plan 2027, revealing the name of its upcoming C-segment SUV: Boreal Renault Boreal is a high-tech head-turner designed for more than 70 country markets outside Europe and will launch in Latin America It symbolises Renault’s upmarket shift and its name conjures up visions of wide-open spaces and the power of the elements The model will be unveiled in the coming months Renault reveals the name of its new C-segment SUV for markets beyond Europe, Boreal. This model is a milestone in its International Game Plan 2027 and illustrates the brand’s fresh worldwide ambition. Renault Boreal will launch in Latin America and progressively reach more than 70 countries. True to tradition, Renault put a lot of thought into the name. Boreal is unprecedented in the line-up and its inspiration comes from the French language, making a statement about its roots. Soft and harmonious, it is an invitation to escape and discover endless horizons. The name perfectly encapsulates the values that the SUV stands for: technology, status and comfort. Renault will officially present Boreal in Brazil in the coming months. END ABOUT RENAULTRenault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond. For further information, please visit www.press.renault.co.uk or @RenaultUKPR or contact: Jim HolderDirector of Communicationsjim.holder@renault.co.uk – 07779 227930 Christian TilburyPress Relations Managerchristian.tilbury@renault.co.uk – 07759 122784 Archie FinniePress Officerarchie.finnie@renault.co.uk – 07887 468977

Commercial vehicle charging gridlock must ease to deliver net zero nation

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. Switching to zero emission commercial vehicles would shrink UK’s carbon footprint by 35.7 megatonnes – more than the total emissions of Sweden. Current grid processes mean truck and van operators may wait up to 15 years for depot charging connections – past the end of sale date for all new non-zero emission commercial vehicles. Industry calls for planning overhaul, prioritised grid connections and action on energy costs to cut carbon, improve air quality and drive economic growth. Commercial Vehicle Show 2025 showcases huge range of zero emission vans and HGVs on offer as long-term infrastructure strategy for goods vehicles urgently needed to boost investment confidence. Tuesday 29 April 2025, National Exhibition Centre Decarbonising commercial vehicles (CVs) is crucial for delivering net zero – but current grid connection processes mean many operators’ EV investments are blocked and will remain so even after fossil fuel vehicle sales end, according to new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Around 5.1 million vans and 626,000 trucks are currently on UK roads,1 all helping to keep Britain on the move by transporting more than 80% of all domestic freight and directly adding £13.5 billion to the economy each year.2 While CVs make up 14% of all vehicles on the road, their higher mileages and energy demands make them responsible for more than a third of all road transport CO2 – and almost an eighth (12%) of the UK’s carbon footprint.3 Replacing conventionally fuelled CVs with zero emission vehicle (ZEV) models is critical to the achievement of net zero – and transitioning the entire fleet would deliver a CO2 savings greater than the total carbon footprint of Sweden.4 As business tools, investment in new vans and trucks must be commercially and operationally viable. But deriving the full benefits of going electric requires affordable energy, access to depot charging and access to charging facilities suitable for larger vehicles across the UK’s strategic road network. The fact that companies currently face wait times of up 15 years for grid connections is the biggest barrier to EV adoption,5 and is too late not just for 2035 – when the sale of new, non-ZEV vans and HGVs under 26 tonnes is due to end – but for 2040 when all new HGVs sold in the UK must be zero emission. Massive manufacturer investment means operators can now choose from 35 zero emission van models – more than half of the market – and more than 30 ZEV truck models. Uptake, however, remains significantly behind ambition with the ZEV mandate requiring 16% of new van sales to be ZEVs in 2025. Currently, electric van registrations are running at little more than half that (8.3%) with around 167,000 more expected to reach the road over the next three years – which would see the market reach 25% ZEV by the end of 2027, below the mandate target of 34%. The challenge is even steeper for the HGV sector, with ZEVs making up just 0.5% of registrations and accounting for fewer than 600 trucks currently in use.6 While grants for plug-in vans and trucks and government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme continue to incentivise the zero emission commercial vehicle transition, action is needed now to remove administrative gridlock to investment. Government recently announced that it will fast-track grid connections for data centres, wind farms and solar power installations. This preferential treatment, as well as consistent and efficient implementation of local planning policy, must also be afforded transport depots if the UK’s net zero and air quality improvement ambitions are to be realised. Together with more affordable energy and a faster rollout of infrastructure across the strategic road network, this would make the case for operator investment in ZEVs unarguable. To do otherwise risks ceasing the mass transition of the HGV sector before it has even begun, while holding back uptake of electric vans given they would use these same facilities. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “We cannot deliver net zero and improve air quality without decarbonising commercial vehicles. But if operators have to wait up to 15 years just to be able to plug them into their depots, there is no case for investment. Prioritising grid connections, alongside reform to planning and action on energy costs, would reduce barriers to adoption, ensuring commercial vehicles continue to carry the loads that keep our economy on the move whilst doing the heavy lifting the nation needs to reach net zero.” The analysis comes as industry gathers today at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the 25th Commercial Vehicle Show, the largest trade event for the UK’s road logistics sector. More than 200 exhibitors from across industry, including vehicle manufacturers, the supply chain, and services and solutions providers will be present, with more than 50 zero emission vans and trucks on display. As many as 15,000 visitors are expected to attend, many representing fleet operators looking to find out how to grow their business with a conference agenda that will demonstrate how businesses can succeed in a challenging global environment while delivering decarbonisation for the UK. Notes to editors 1 https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/motorparc-vehicles-in-use-uk/.2 RHA Industry Facts and Stats3 DESNZ UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics: HGV and LCV CO2 emissions 2023: 35.7Mt CO2. Total road transport emissions: 98.6Mt. Total UK CO2 emissions: 302.8Mt4 Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research5 DESNZ, 15 April 20256 Full-year 2024 UK new HGV registration data, SMMT. About SMMT and the UK automotive industryThe Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations, representing the automotive industry in the UK. The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy, integral to growth, the delivery of net zero and the UK as a global trade hub. It contributes £93 billion turnover and £22 billion value added to the UK economy, and invests around £4 billion each year in R&D. With 198,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and some 813,000 across the wider automotive industry. Many of these automotive manufacturing jobs are outside London and the South-East,…

Summer offers arrive early at Skywell

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. Value added package, makes the switch to electric even more accessible Hypervolt to supply and fit a free home charger. Octopus Electroverse to provide £3,000 of public charging credit to reduce cost of ownership ICE cost parity made possible with £6,000 deposit contribution from Skywell Monday 28th April 2025 (Cirencester, UK), buyers of the new Skywell BE11 can now benefit from a trio of incredible offers, making the move to electric vehicle ownership, seamless and incredibly cost-effective. Skywell have partnered with Hypervolt, who will supply their sleek 7.4kW Home 3 Pro smart wall box to new owners of the Skywell BE11, with a choice of cable length (from 5m to 10m), so that the wall box provides ease of charging at home, without the awkward stretch or excess draping cable. The wall box will also be made available in a range of colours, so not only will it make charging at home easy, but the wall box will seamlessly suit the aesthetics of your property. Fitting and certification of the Hypervolt unit is also included in the deal, managed by one of Hypervolt’s nationwide approved fitters. Head of Partnerships at Hypervolt, David Woodford, commented:“Hypervolt’s mission is to democratise the delivery of energy, and one of the key methods we’re doing this is through reducing barriers to EV ownership. Working with Britain’s leading EV tariff providers enables us to deliver the cheapest electricity possible to the homes of EV owners, and by aligning with a brand whose mantra is ‘affordability and practicality’ in Skywell, we’ve taken yet another exciting step toward building a greener Britain.” To minimise the cost of vehicle ownership, in addition to the free Hypervolt wall box, Skywell are also including a whopping £3,000 of public charging credit, thanks to their partnership with Octopus Electric Vehicles and their popular Electroverse App. Based on an estimated cost of £0.69p per kW from a UK public charger; this offers new Skywell customers with an estimated 15,000 miles of free charging. The final in the trio of offers, is a sizeable £6,000 finance deposit contribution. Skywell UK General Manager, David Clark commented:“By us offering an industry leading 7-year / 100,000-mile vehicle warranty, and up to 10 years of roadside assistance cover; we wanted to provide new Skywell customers with a real peace of mind package when they drive away in a new BE11. Now, with the inclusion, of a free home charger from Hypervolt, and covering the cost of charging publicly thanks to our £3,000 charging credit with the Octopus Electroverse app; we have broken down two of the common barriers to EV adoption – nervousness around home charging installation and the cost of charging on the public networks. But before all that, bridging the gap to the traditional petrol/diesel equivalent vehicles is paramount. Therefore, our £6,000 deposit contribution now offered, allows the BE11 (a D-segment SUV) to be priced similarly to a medium (C-segment) hatchback. The Skywell BE11 is available in two variants, differing only by battery size. The 72kW Standard Range offers up to 248-miles of range (304-miles city); with the 86kW Long Range variant topping 304-miles (401-miles) both tested to WLTP cycles. Both vehicles come packed with features, which include: electrically adjustable leather and Alcantara seats; full length opening panoramic Skyroof; 19” Lynx alloy wheels; LED lighting front and rear with sequential indicators; wireless phone charging; wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; front and rear USB ports; in- built navigation; rear 220v socket; 128-colour ambient lighting and a premium German-engineered Metz sound system; with the Skywell BE11 range starting from just £36,995. ENDS Terms & Conditions* Free Hypervolt Home 3 Pro home charger offer applicable to Retail registrations only, with orders placed and vehicles registered before 30th June 2025 from participating Skywell Dealers. Offer includes supply and standard UK fitting from Hypervolt and their selected partners. Terms and Conditions apply. Customer choice of colour units and cable length combination, subject to Hypervolt stock availability. Standard fitting costs also included and covers fitting of a Hypervolt Home 3 Pro on a brick/plaster wall, or to another suitable permanent structure; Up to 10m of suitable electrical cable & data cable for CT clamp; Supply and Fitting of a Type A RCBO, or compliant alternative; Supply and Fitting of a Surge Protection Device (SPD); Up to 3 metres (10 feet) of plastic conduit to conceal interior wiring, (if required); Full testing and commissioning, and demonstration of Hypervolt App to the customer, (if available).** £3,000 Octopus Electroverse public charging credit offer applicable to Retail registrations only, with orders placed and vehicles registered before 30th June 2025 from participating Skywell Dealers. Terms and Conditions apply. Octopus Electroverse app required. £3,000 credit value, redeemable via Octopus Electroverse app Credit code. Credit codes may have a 3-year expiration date. Expired codes are not eligible for redemption. Credit codes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or any other form of currency. Credit codes are non-transferable to Octopus Energy accounts. The redemption of credit codes is only for customers based in the United Kingdom.*** £6,000 Deposit Contribution available on Retail registrations only, with orders placed and vehicles registered before 30th June 2025 from participating Skywell Dealers. Over 18s only. Subject to status and acceptance. Finance Terms and Conditions apply. About Skywell:Founded in 2000, Skywell is a Chinese brand of new energy vehicles, owned by the consumer electronic brand Skyworth, focussing on sustainable and innovative transportation solutions which include LCVs, HGVs as well as a thriving bus/coach division. Skyworth’s portfolio also include the manufacturing of: Solar panels, wind farm equipment, home goods, consumer electronics, audio/visual equipment. Skyworth have with an annual turnover of over ¥69bn (£7.1bn) Following the BE11, by 2027, Skywell are planning to the introduction of a new all electric 3.5t & 4.25t LCV, a new all electric C-segment hatchback and all-electric D- segment saloon. Plug-in hybrid models will also be introduced. Distributed in the UK by Innovation Automotive, Skywell vehicles are underpinned by their strong…

ZF pushes range extender technology to the next level: A boost for the electric range

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. ZF further develops electric range extender systems –production begins at the start of 2026 Longer range, lower emissions: range extenders make electrified mobility attractive to more buyers Advantages for automotive manufacturers: shorter development cycles, less effort than BEV platform approach Friedrichshafen, Germany. Many potential buyers of electric vehicles still feel the so-called range anxiety that accompanies all-electric driving. In these cases, range extenders can be one solution: A combustion-powered generator that is coupled to an electric motor and thus generates energy for the vehicle battery. ZF is now introducing its new generation of this technology, which will go into volume production in 2026. Designed to meet increasing global demand, this further development is ideally suited to meet dynamic market and customer requirements as well as flexible drive concepts. It is an unnerving scenario for many electric drivers: the battery’s state of charge dropping to near zero with no charging station in sight. “Although the all-electric range of passenger cars is around 500 km on average, range anxiety still influences a wide range of buyers when choosing their next vehicle,” explains Dr. Otmar Scharrer, Senior Vice President R&D, Electrified Powertrain Technology. This is especially true in regions where a charging infrastructure is not yet universally available. ZF is currently developing the next generation of range extenders for these situations. “These represent a real alternative to larger – and thus more expensive – batteries or plug-in hybrids,” says Dr. Scharrer. With range extenders, a combustion-powered engine is coupled to an electric motor that generates power for the vehicle battery as soon as its state of charge drops below a certain threshold. As the name implies, this increases the range that can be driven electrically. A further advantage over PHEVs or conventional combustion engines is that the range extender unit always operates in the ideal performance range for fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions. ZF’s range extender technology: A lot of experience, new developmentsZF already has range extender technology in volume production and amongst other vehicles, it was installed in the iconic London taxi. ZF is currently working on the next generation, with the electric Range Extender (eRE) and the electric Range Extender plus (eRE+). Both variants are highly integrated designs that are flexible in terms of performance, E/E architecture, 400V or 800V and semiconductor type. The eRE connects an electric motor with an integrated inverter, suitable software and planetary gearset. The eRE+ also has an intelligent clutch and a differential. As a result, it can be used either as a current generator or as an additional secondary drive which saves manufacturers developing a separate component. Performance can be scaled for both models. The output ranges from 70 to 110 kW (eRE) or 70 to 150 kW (eRE+). “The new interest and the increased demand for range extenders shows that the potential of this technology is far from exhausted – in particular for model platforms that are already designed for battery-electric drivelines,” says Scharrer while adding: “Behind our solutions is a system and platform concept. This means that we are optimally equipped to be able to respond to all customer and market requirements with shorter development cycles.” The advantages of range extenders for manufacturers and customersCompared to parallel-hybrid drive solutions, for example a PHEV, range extenders are compelling due to their lower additional costs, shorter development cycles, reduced platform integration effort and simplified supply chain management. This makes the technology particularly interesting for manufacturers who are new to the market and may have little experience with traditional combustion engine drivelines. China is currently embarking on a model offensive with so-called “Range Extended Electric Vehicles” (REEV), which, thanks to the technology, can cover distances of more than 700 kilometres. “This is where we find it convenient that there is a wide range of BEV platforms that can be supplemented by range extenders,” explains Scharrer. This was one reason why ZF locations in China headed up development. However, the interest of manufacturers is also increasing in the USA and Europe. “The market for all-electric vehicles has not developed as much as predicted a few years ago,” says Scharrer. “For this intermediate phase, range extenders can be the ideal solution.” REEV drivers can enjoy the advantages of electromobility without having to sacrifice the flexibility of PHEVs or combustion engine passenger cars. Range extenders are also of interest for traditional manufacturers. They allow smaller (and therefore more economical) vehicle batteries to be installed and help to comply with emission limit values for fleets. Captions: With a range extender, drivers can enjoy the advantages of electromobility without having to sacrifice the flexibility of a classic combustion engine or plug-in hybrid vehicle. With its latest electric Range Extender (eRE) system, ZF is currently developing a range extender for the next generation. The modular platform approach allows the technology to respond to dynamic customer and market requirements. ZF utilises its expertise in transmission technology to develop the “electric Range Extender plus” (eRE+) system. The technology can be used either as a current generator or as an additional secondary drive. Images: ZF Press contact:Media Contact UK:Elan PR LtdKay RobinsonMob: +44 (0)7482 560217Email: kay@elan-pr.com Nick BaileyMob: +44 (0)7813 956664Email: nick@elan-pr.com About ZFZF is a global technology company. The company supplies highly developed products and systems for the mobility of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. With its comprehensive product range, ZF primarily supplies automotive manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the field of transport and mobility. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle categories. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility. In addition to the passenger car and commercial vehicle automotive sectors, ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems. In 2024, ZF achieved sales of €41.4 billion with approximately 161,600 employees worldwide. The company is represented at 161 production locations in 30 countries. For further press information and photos please visit: www.zf.com