In this issue

Mobility’s uncertain future

The government’s ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is now nine years away – meaning the conversation on the Future of Mobility needs to turn into action.

In the 24th edition of the Motor Finance digital supplement, we look at the latest developments in the electric vehicle space, the launch of last-mile mobility solutions and the viability of subscription models.

We check in with UK-based EV developer Arrival, which is preparing to launch four battery EVs over the next four years.

We look at a recent report from Arthur D Little, which asks how car subscription models differ from existing rental or leasing offers.

Keeping in the subscription sphere, Paul Harrison of Leasing.com explores the potential for a subscription-based future.

We also explore the growing trend of last-mile mobility, in particular the launch of Voi Scooters in the city of Bristol and how the new technology has been received.

We take a deep dive look at the race for lithium-ion batteries and the raw materials needed for them, as one Canadian company takes its search to the deep sea floor.

Finally, we catch up with Driverama chairman Stan Galik, who discusses the launch of the business and its plans for the future.

Enjoy the issue and please get in touch with me if you have any questions or potential stories for a future edition.

Welcome to the first Motor Finance digital edition of 2021.

Roughly a year ago, reports of a deadly virus in the Wuhan district of China began gaining real traction in the global press. Videos of overran hospitals and deserted streets flooded social media, but for most people (myself included), the virus still seemed like a distant problem in a distant land.

Fast forward a few weeks and most of the world’s population found itself in various forms of lockdown. Governments scrambled to alleviate the immense stress on health services, while industry screeched to a halt.

Automotive was one of the most adversely affected sectors, as factories and dealerships were forced to close their doors and shut down production. Government schemes and support packages were rolled out across the world to support struggling businesses, with some countries launching automotive-specific rescue packages worth billions of pounds.

The summer months brought a welcome fall in Covid-19 cases and a relaxation of lockdown measures, however hopes of a V-shaped recovery were soon dashed by the emergence of a second wave of the virus. Recovery remains fractured and unpredictable, but with vaccines being rolled out at a rapid rate, there is now real hope that we are approaching the end of this very dark tunnel.

In this edition we look back at how various automotive industries around the world reacted to the outbreak, and question what lasting impact Covid-19 will have on consumer behaviour and business processes.