Category Archives: Electric Cars

Mowasalat Teams Up with AEMOB to Revolutionize the Future of e-Mobility

In what could be a game-changer for the world of autonomous e-mobility, Mowasalat (Karwa), Qatar’s premier transportation company, has officially partnered with the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB). This groundbreaking collaboration is set to pave the way for cutting-edge, sustainable transport solutions that are as smart as they are eco-friendly.

The Drive Towards a Sustainable Future

The AEMOB, which is gaining momentum in the global e-mobility conversation, is hosting its next big event in Doha, Qatar, from April 30 to May 2, 2024, under the patronage of His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport. With the Ministry of Transport at the helm as a strategic partner, the forum is expected to be nothing short of a hotbed for innovation.

A Partnership of Progressive Minds

Mowasalat’s entry into this partnership is not just a step but a giant leap towards intelligent transport solutions that are tailor-made for Qatar’s needs while contributing to the global e-mobility landscape. Ahmad Hassan Al-Obaidly, COO of Mowasalat, couldn’t hide his excitement: “This isn’t just about being at the forefront of technology; it’s about being responsible stewards of the environment. We’re ready to drive the future of e-mobility, not just in Qatar, but globally.”

On the Road to Qatar National Vision 2030

This collaboration aligns perfectly with the Qatar National Vision 2030, propelling the nation towards a future where driverless e-mobility is not just a concept, but a reality. The 2024 AEMOB Forum is set to be a cornerstone event that brings together the brightest minds from government, industry, academia, and the media.

Join the Movement

Interested in being part of the e-mobility revolution? Tickets for the AEMOB Forum are up for grabs! Visit www.aemobforum.com to secure your spot among policymakers, tech gurus, and industry leaders. And for a deep dive into Mowasalat’s world of transport innovations, head over to www.mowasalat.com.

For all the tech enthusiasts and sustainable transport advocates out there, stay tuned to The Gadget Man for more updates on this exciting partnership!

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The UK is on track to run out of mechanics qualified to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, according to a cross-party think-tank. The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to work on EVs, which could drive up servicing costs and potentially leave some drivers unable to have their cars maintained properly. The number of EVs on the UK’s roads is increasing rapidly and recently reached 1 million. However, the number of qualified technicians is not keeping pace with the growth in EVs, according to SMF analysis. The SMF report highlights industry estimates that by 2027, there will not be enough qualified mechanics to maintain all of the UK’s EVs. By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF is calling on the government to support efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs. These skills are significantly different to those required to maintain internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Many ICE mechanics receive informal on-the-job training, but the SMF warned that since EV maintenance involves working with high-voltage electricity, that approach could be inappropriate and even dangerous. “Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed,” the report said. The SMF is calling for reforms to allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund EV technician training.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF report is based on interviews with mechanics and technicians and industry experts. It highlights concerns that the skills gap could raise the cost of repairs or reduce the quality of repairs, which could decrease consumers’ willingness to switch to EVs. The SMF highlights the limited attention paid to vehicle technicians’ skills in government plans to decarbonise transport. Neither the Department for Education nor the Department for Transport has examined how growing EV uptake will impact vehicle technicians or developed policies to support workforce growth.

The report was sponsored by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The SMF retains complete editorial independence of its publications.
Source: IMI modelling based on SMMT high EV uptake scenario

A key challenge identified in the SMF research is attracting new entrants to the sector because of what industry leaders describe as an “image problem” around car maintenance work. Perceptions of the work as dirty, hard and male-dominated deter some potential recruits from pursuing a career as a mechanic, the SMF found. The SMF recommends that the UK avoid the looming skills crunch by focusing on recruiting young people and improving incentives for upskilling among the current workforce. This could include launching a green careers campaign to attract young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs, developing a medium-term plan to upskill technicians, and releasing Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training.

Recommendations to ensure that the UK averts the looming skills crunch, are as follows:

  • Improve the attractiveness of the industry. Launch an attractive green careers campaign to get young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs
  • Develop a medium-term credible plan to upskill technicians. As part of this strategic planning, manufacturers, industry bodies and training providers should develop a clear accredited training route.
  • Release Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training. Key low-carbon industries, including EV repairs, should be central to reform of the Apprenticeship Levy reform to ensure the development of a pipeline of green skills to deliver Net Zero.
  • Introduce a mandatory license to operate in the EV repair and maintenance industry.  Given the potential hazards involved in working with EVs, a formal qualification should be required, much as, for example, gas heating engineers are required by law to have a Gas Safe certification. 

Amy Norman, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation, said:

“Electric vehicles are the future of cheaper, greener motoring, but servicing and maintaining them requires a new skills and training. Britain is in real danger of running short of the skilled mechanics and technicians needed to keep EVs on the roads. 

“More needs to be done to ensure more workers are getting the skills and training needed to keep Britain on the road to Net Zero. That means better policies to support skills and training, including more creative use of Apprenticeship Levy funds.  

“It also means doing more to attract recruits into this vital trade. The men and women who train to keep millions of EVs running smoothly should be seen as green heroes helping Britain speed towards a cleaner future.

“The transition to EVs is a great example of the opportunities that come from the shift to a low-carbon economy – with the right policies in place, the transition in driving can unlock thousands of high-skill blue-collar jobs for current and future generations.”

You can read the report in full here

 

Fully Charged Live 2022 is a resounding success!! We’ll be there on Sunday!

Fully Charged Live 2022 is in full swing and we’re there on Sunday!

  • More than 20,000 visitors experience 200+ clean energy and electric vehicle exhibits at Fully Charged LIVE
  • Every type and size of electric vehicle including over 100 electric cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds, bicycles, trikes, scooters, skateboards, classics, and concepts
  • UK’s largest EV test drive opportunity comes to Farnborough – 29 April to 1 May
  • Fully Charged and industry experts to deliver 50+ live sessions on greener living and EV ownership
  • Independent Home Energy Advice Team will help thousands move towards cheaper or cleaner living
Live Sessions at Fully Charged Live 2022
Live Sessions at Fully Charged Live 2022

Fully Charged LIVE is the biggest of its kind in the world, with every type and size of electric vehicle including more than 100 electric cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds, bicycles, trikes, scooters, skateboards, classics, and concepts on show. Visitors to the show can also take part in thousands of test drives; soak up knowledge from an independent team of home energy advisors; and enjoy more than 50 live clean living theatre sessions.

Robert Llewellyn, Fully Charged joint CEO: “Public demand for cheaper and cleaner ways to live and get around has never been stronger, so the fact we’re able to deliver almost every clean energy technology and electric vehicle to thousands of people through Fully Charged LIVE is truly fantastic. Electric vehicles sales are rocketing, clean energy homes are moving to the mainstream and I feel we’re now at a turning point for our society. I’m confident that our visitors will leave the Farnborough show with ‘greater knowledge, passion and the tools to live cheaper and cleaner.”

Helen Czerski at Fully Charged Live 2022

Major attractions at the event include the UK public debut for the all-new Kia Niro EV, the highly anticipated Volkswagen ID Buzz, luxurious Genesis GV60, classically-inspired Nobe 100 GT, and compact Chinese EV, the Ora Cat. Elsewhere at Fully Charged LIVE, visitors can take part in thousands of test drives with dozens of different electric vehicles to choose from. Popular drives are sure to include the best-selling Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, plus the Kia EV6 and Nissan Ariya, which debuted at the show in 2021.

The Home Energy Advice Team is a new feature for 2022. Visitors can access free, independent advice from 20 industry experts covering topics from energy efficiency and electric car charging to heat pumps and zero emission boilers. Having understood the potential clean energy options, the wealth of home energy exhibitors will help make visitor’s home improvements a reality.

The Fully Charged team of presenters, including Robert Llewellyn, Helen Czerski and Jack Scarlett will be joined by industry experts and famous faces including Philippa Forrester, Jordan Rand and Quentin Willson, in more than 50 live theatre sessions. Topics covered vary from choosing an electric car, and ditching boilers to engaging youngsters in clean living, and the future of electric flight.

Robert Llewellyn at Fully Charged Live 2022
Robert Llewellyn at Fully Charged Live 2022

Beyond the wealth of clean-living exhibitors, electric cars, vans, trucks, buses, electric motorcycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and classics, there is a wide array of other attractions. These include the Electric Education Zone, Family Fun Zone, Electric Picnic, Used Electric Vehicle Zone, Future of Flight Zone, Commercial Vehicle Zone, and Business Zone.

See you there on Sunday!

Why Electric Cars Are For More Than Just Driving

Electric vehicles have a lot of perks. They are good for the environment and they are good for your wallet. There are also a lot of other perks that come along with electric vehicles aside from the fact that they are changing the world for the better. Here are the reasons why switching to an electric car is a good idea beyond battling climate change. 

Power Your Home

One major perk to getting an electric car is the fact that you can use your car to power your home. There are chargers that go from vehicle to home in order for your car battery to supply electricity to your home. It is a way that a lot of people are saving money on energy costs. Some supermarkets allow you to charge your car for free and you can then go home and plug your house into your car in order to source your power from your vehicle. 

You are basically powering your house for free and saving hundreds if not thousands of pounds a year in bills. 

Get a Tax Credit

A lot of governments around the world are providing a tax credit to those who switch to an electric car. In some places, governments are offering to pay a driver’s down payment as an incentive to switch to electric. In all, some buyers are saving thousands of dollars on their car and are getting it for cheaper than the sticker price. 

Federal governments have been giving electric car drivers refunds on the installation of electric car chargers. When filing their yearly taxes, drivers have been able to get an ample tax refund because they have switched to electric. 

No Maintenance

Since electric cars run on a battery, there is no engine. In place of an engine in the front of the car there is another trunk where you can store more items. The lack of engine means that there is no need for maintenance. There is no oil to change, fan belts to fix, or transmission to worry about. These reasons are very high-cost saving decisions to get you to switch. 

Most car batteries for electric vehicles last about ten years before they need to be replaced or start to have difficulty holding their charge. That’s ten years of virtually no car maintenance to worry about. 

Electric Cars Are Safer

Due to the construction of electric cars, they are safer for passengers. Because of the need to keep a safe distance between those riding in the car and the battery, electric cars have an aluminum plate around the battery that protects passengers in the event of a collision. Also, because the car has a massive battery and no engine, the risk of an explosion or anything flammable occuring in an accident is virtually eliminated keeping everyone in the vehicle more safe than if they were riding in a gas-powered vehicle. 

Conclusion

With so many non-environmental reasons for switching to an electric vehicle, the choice to switch is a pretty one easy to make.