Colin Walker

My colleagues are running a really interesting briefing at 11am on how the issues of defence, security and climate intersect

They've got some great speakers lined up - if you'd like to have a listen, just register using this link:

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Greenwashing Rife In EU Aviation: Consumer Groups The European aviation industry is awash with misleading climate-related claims, consumer groups said Tuesday, over a year after the EU launched a probe into airlines' greenwashing.

"Greenwashing Rife In EU Aviation"

"An analysis of 17 air carriers found many misled passengers by suggesting that flying was more eco-friendly than it really is"

The EU launched a probe into airlines' greenwashing a year ago

www.barrons.com/news/greenwa...

"Think electric cars are expensive? My new EV costs me less than a couple of posh coffees a day"

Nice piece on how cheap EVs can be to own and run

t.co/7FIVkvjX9B

Tesla's European sales rout continues but new Model Y boosts Norway deliveries Tesla's car sales fell sharply in several European markets including Sweden and Portugal in May, a fifth consecutive monthly decline that has been blamed on CEO Elon Musk's political activities and an outdated model lineup.

"Tesla's European sales rout continues but new Model Y boosts Norway deliveries"

Captures where Tesla is, and poses the million $$ question - will the new Model Y be enough to arrest Tesla's decline in Europe?

All eyes on next month's sales figures
www.reuters.com/business/aut...

UK’s shift on car sales rules may lead to higher emissions, says statutory adviser Up to 500,000 more plug-in hybrids could be sold because of government flexibility on the zero-emission mandate

"UK’s shift on car sales rules may lead to higher emissions, says statutory adviser"

Me in here, on how the Government's weakening of the ZEV mandate could see increased sales of dirtier and more expensive PHEVs, at the expense of cheaper and cleaner EVs

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

EV charging points to be made faster to install as Labour cuts red tape Changes to planning rules mean businesses and drivers can install EV chargers ‘faster and for less’

Good

"EV charging points to be made faster to install as Labour cuts red tape"

www.independent.co.uk/cars/electri...

Dieselgate pollution killed 16,000 people in UK, study estimates Experts decry lack of UK government action and warn a further 6,000 early deaths could occur

"Dieselgate pollution killed 16,000 people in UK"

Economic damage in UK estimated at £96bn so far

To think the car industry actually installed devices to cheat emissions tests 🤯

And to see what the consequences of that cheating have been

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Latest in 'no-one wants an EV' news:

Data from ACEA - The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association - shows that EV sales across Europe have increased 28% in the first 4 months of 2025, compared to the first 4 months of 2024

www.acea.auto/files/Press_...

While this data from EV Firesafe in Australia found that EVs are 80x less likely to set on fire

It would be helpful if articles about EVs and fires included this kind of context

Would help make them less ill-informed and scaremongery

4/4
t.co/iZdGoHcAb7

Also, the article makes no reference to the fact that EVs are MUCH less likely to catch fire than petrols or diesels

For example, data from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that EV fires are 20x less likely to happen than ICE car fires

3/4
t.co/1eoOEuSj2B

Taking the figures quoted in this article, and UK Motorparc data from the SMMT, it's very easy to quickly work out that, in 2022, there were 19.7 EV fires for every 100,000 EVs

In 2024, that figure had dropped to 17

2/4
t.co/wZ5ABM133z

Here's some A-grade EV misinformation from the
@telegraphnews.bsky.social

"EV fires up 77% in two years!!!"

What the Telegraph fails to mention is that the number of EVs on our roads has gone up 105% in those 2 years

Which means the frequency of EV fires has actually gone down!

1/4

Taking the figures quoted in this article, and UK Motorparc data from the SMMT, it's very easy to quickly work out that, in 2022, there were 19.7 EV fires for every 100,000 EVs

In 2024, that figure had dropped to 17
t.co/wZ5ABM133z

Car sales in Europe dip slightly in April, Tesla's 49% drop tempers EV gains Tesla's sales in Europe fell 49% in April from a year earlier, even as battery-electric sales rose by 27.8%, as the U.S. EV maker's upgrade of its Model Y shows little sign of improving the brand's tarnished image in the region.

"Tesla misses out on European EV growth as Model Y fails to revive sales"

Tesla's sales in Europe in April 2025 fell 49% on April 2024, even though overall European EV sales rose 27.8%

www.reuters.com/business/aut...

BYD sells more electric vehicles in Europe than Tesla for first time Chinese car group has been pushing to expand into overseas markets for past few years

"BYD sells more EVs in Europe than Tesla for first time

"BYD registered 7,231 fully electric cars in Europe last month compared with 7,165 registrations for Tesla

"Tesla’s monthly volume was down 49% year-on-year, while BYD reported a 169% jump"

www.ft.com/content/53ec...

The Oxfordshire company making 'cutting edge' EV supercar tech YASA, based in Oxfordshire, supplies it's axial flow motor to high-end companies, such as Ferrari.

Another 'Net Zero & economic growth can quite happily walk hand in hand' example

“The UK company making 'cutting edge' EV supercar tech"

"YASA, an Oxfordshire company, is leading the way in developing electric motors for high-end sports cars”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Electric plane tech centre to be built near Glasgow Airport US start-up ZeroAvia says 350 jobs could be created at new centre to develop hydrogen fuel cells for planes.

Net Zero & economic growth can quite happily walk hand in hand

"Electric plane tech centre to be built near Glasgow Airport"

"Facility to develop & manufacture fuel cells for small electric planes could be in operation by 2028 creating around 350 jobs"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Global EV sales rise in April despite trade disruptions, research finds Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose 29% year-on-year in April, with stable growth in China and Europe despite trade tensions, while North America recorded the first fall since last September, data showed on Wednesday.

Latest in 'there's no consumer demand for EVs' news:

"Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose 29% year-on-year in April, with stable growth in China and Europe despite trade tensions"

(Data courtesy of @rhomotion.bsky.social)

www.reuters.com/business/aut...

Nissan to axe 20,000 jobs worldwide Japanese car giant is in crisis mode as electric car shift leaves it behind

"Nissan to axe 20,000 jobs worldwide"

Nissan is a notable laggard when it comes to EVs (only 5% EV sales in UK in 2025)

You're likely to see more news like this in the years ahead from manufacturers who've dropped the ball in making the shift to EVs
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

Great video from @tuc.org.uk

Building EVs means jobs

Pushing back against net zero, and the technologies needed to achieve it, means opportunities for economic growth and good quality jobs are lost

A great, and 'passionate', thread from Doug Parr of Greenpeace on the flaws in the Net Zero report that;'s just been released by the Tony Blair Institute

Labour told to speed up transition away from petrol and diesel cars Experts have demanded Labour act quickly to speed up the transition away from combustion petrol and diesel vehicles sooner rather than later.

"Labour told to speed up transition away from petrol and diesel cars"

www.express.co.uk/life-style/c...

Europe helped teach China to make cars. Now the tables are turning The EU is trading market access for expertise in key technologies, just as Beijing once did

Interesting 'Big Read' in the @financialtimes.com (behind a paywall)

"Europe helped teach China to make cars. Now the tables are turning"

Talks about how EU is trading market access for expertise in key technologies, just as Beijing once did
www.ft.com/content/9de3...

Delighted to join Liz Allen (@fullcircleci.bsky.social) on her latest Electric Evolution podcast

We discuss the changes the Government has made to the ZEV Mandate - changes I believe weaken the mandate and could slow EV sales

Do have a listen if interested
fullcircleci.co.uk/episode-136-...

ah, I remember doing Drum and Bass on a bike at Silverstone in my British Cycling days!

A great day out

🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray

I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.

Here's what he got wrong... 🧵

Very important point. It's not green energy that is making UK electricity expensive: it's mostly gas

Polestar boss attacks decision to ease emission targets UK chief of the electric carmaker accuses ministers of ‘doing the opposite’ of encouraging people to buy greener cars

"Polestar boss attacks decision to ease emission targets

"UK chief of the electric carmaker accuses ministers of ‘doing the opposite’ of encouraging people to buy greener cars"

Quite
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...

Trump does not pause 25% US auto tariffs, drawing criticism from Michigan business and auto groups President Donald Trump on Wednesday paused for 90 days many tariffs but is not halting 25% tariffs on automotive imports and looming tariffs on auto parts, drawing criticism from Michigan business and auto groups.

A reminder that, with all this talk of tariffs being paused, Trump's 25% tariffs on automotive imports remain

www.reuters.com/business/aut...

Up to 25,000 jobs in UK motor industry at risk from US tariffs Think tank urges the government and auto sector to double down on electric vehicles and the ‘niche’ production of green aircraft and trains

"Up to 25k jobs in UK motor industry at risk from US tariffs"

@IPPR urges Gov and auto sector to double down on EVs to counteract impact of tariffs

As the report we did with @CBI_Economics found, embracing EVs will best secure our car industry's future

www.thetimes.com/business-mon...