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Electric cars now MORE reliable than petrol and diesel counterparts

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Electric vehicle (EVs) sales have slumped in Britain, with the public struggling to fall in love with the technology.

A shortage of public chargers fuels ‘range anxiety’ among motorists worried about where they can top up their batteries, while high prices have also put off would-be buyers.

Despite these fears, a new study claims that EVs are even more reliable than traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines.

Researchers from the University of Birminghamand the London School of Economics (LSE), analysed the ‘health’ of nearly 300 million vehicles on UK roads.

Their analysis found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) not only had a lower likelihood of failure, but also a comparable lifespan to traditional cars and vans.

According to the team, this marks a ‘pivotal moment in the drive towards sustainable transportation’.

Co-author Dr Viet Nguyen-Tien, from the LSE, said: ‘Our findings provide critical insights into the lifespan and environmental impact of electric vehicles.

‘No longer just a niche option, BEVs are a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles – a significant step towards achieving a net-zero carbon future.’

A new study claims that EVs are even more reliable than traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines

 

Their analysis found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) not only had a lower likelihood of failure, but also a comparable lifespan to traditional cars and vans 

 

In the study, the team used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport test records to analyse UK vehicles from 2005 to 2022.

This allowed them to estimate the reliability and longevity of each vehicle.

Their analysis revealed that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12 per cent lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production.

For comparison, these figures were only 6.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent for petrol and diesel vehicles, respectively.

In addition, the results revealed that BEVs now have an average lifespan of 18.4 years and can travel up to 124,000 miles.

Petrol cars have a slightly longer average lifespan of 18.7 years, but with a lower mileage of 116,000 miles.

Meanwhile, diesel cars have a higher mileage (159,000 miles), but a shorter lifespan of 16.3 years.

As part of the study, the team also identified the top-performing brands in terms of vehicle longevity.

In the study, the team used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport test records to analyse UK vehicles from 2005 to 2022 (stock image)

 

EVs have lower greenhouse gas emissions overall when compared with conventional cars, but there are some hidden environmental costs of an electric car

 

Among BEVs, Tesla leads the charge, while Audi is the best performer for petrol, and Skoda is the top for diesel.

‘BEVs offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix,’ said study co-author Robert Elliott, Professor of Economics at the University of Birmingham.

‘Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change – making them a more sustainable long-term option.

‘Our findings offer consumers reliable data to make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases, whilst policymakers can use our insights to shape regulations and incentives that promote the adoption of durable and environmentally friendly vehicles and plan ahead their end-of-life treatment.’

However, the study comes as sales of electric cars have slowed in Britain.

A shortage of public chargers fuels ‘range anxiety’ among motorists worried about where they can top up their batteries, while high prices have also put off would-be buyers.

Electric vehicles run on energy from a charged battery much like a smartphone but come with hefty pricetags – around £46,000 on average in the UK.

‘Electric vehicles typically cost more upfront,’ say Milad Haghani, lecturer in urban analytics‬ at UNSW Sydney, and Hadi Ghaderi, a supply chain professor at Swinburne University of Technology, in a piece for The Conversation.

Their analysis revealed that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12 per cent lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production. For comparison, these figures were only 6.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent for petrol and diesel vehicles, respectively

 

‘Sales have slowed in parts of Europe and the United States often due to reduced incentives, but strong sales growth continues in other regions such as China and India.’

The two experts say a ‘flood of cheaper Chinese vehicles’ is lowering the cost barrier.

However, these Eastern exports have triggered surveillance fears.

Another ‘major issue’ for car buyers is uncertainty about an electric model’s resale value compared to a standard petrol or diesel, the researchers point out.

‘Consumers are concerned electric vehicles depreciate faster than traditional cars… these concerns are particularly tied to battery degradation, which affects a car’s range and performance over time.’

Meanwhile, EV fires have made headlines globally – including a high-profile battery fire in a Korean parking lot in August – creating doubts among consumers.

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IMO STATE LAUNCHES DIGITAL LAND INFORMATION CENTER, UNLOCKING NEW ERA FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT

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Imo State has taken a major leap in land administration with the unveiling of the Imo Land Information Service Centre (IMLISC), a modern, technology-driven facility established under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Located within the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning in Owerri, this state-of-the-art centre is set to transform land governance, boost investor confidence, and protect citizens from fraudulent land dealings.

The IMLISC introduces a fully digital system that streamlines land transactions and offers services such as e-land searches, land recertification, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), and ownership transfers. These automated processes ensure faster, more transparent, and accountable land administration, marking a clear departure from outdated, manual methods.

Governor Uzodimma’s administration has championed this initiative as part of its broader commitment to innovative governance and economic reform. The centre provides Imo citizens with secure access to land-related data, shielding them from scams and ensuring legitimacy in property transactions. It builds trust and simplifies land ownership—making it both secure and straightforward.

For the business community, IMLISC is a game-changer. Entrepreneurs and real estate developers now have access to clear documentation, reliable data, and efficient processing—eliminating bottlenecks that previously hampered progress. The result is a more attractive business climate that welcomes both local and diaspora investors with open arms.

Moreover, the new system is expected to enhance internally generated revenue (IGR). With better documentation and fewer disputes, land transactions will be more organized and traceable, increasing state earnings from legitimate dealings. These funds can then be reinvested into critical sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education—ultimately benefiting every Imo resident.

The centre will also serve as a hub for land dispute resolution, offering timely and fair intervention mechanisms. Through data-driven decision-making, it will support sustainable urban planning and responsible land use policies across the state.

Governor Uzodimma’s foresight in establishing the IMLISC is a testament to his commitment to good governance, transparency, and economic growth. The centre is not just a building—it is a symbol of Imo State’s readiness for progress, a safeguard for property rights, and a magnet for investment.

With this initiative, Imo is setting a new benchmark in land administration—one that empowers citizens, supports business growth, attracts global investors, and drives development for the future.

#HopeNewAndElectronicMediaCenter

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French Tesla customers sue over brand becoming ‘extreme right’

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Tesla sales in the EU have nearly halved, with many customers looking for electric cars put off by Elon Musk's political positions. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File Source: AFP

Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk, because they consider the vehicles to be “extreme-right” symbols, the law firm representing them said on Wednesday.

They feel they suffered “direct and concrete” damage from the way Teslas are now associated with “Elon Musk’s actions”, the GKA law firm said.

They are demanding the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed, it said in a statement, signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel.

The lawsuit comes as Tesla sales in the European Union have almost halved since the beginning of the year, a slump attributed to Musk’s political activities.

Those activities include him — until last week — standing firmly with US President Donald Trump, and overseeing efforts to cut down US departments and agencies.

He has also lent public support to Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and came under criticism for making a repeated gesture with an out-thrust arm interpreted by many historians to be a Nazi salute.

“Because of Elon Musk’s actions… Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right ‘totems’, to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle,” GKA said in a statement.

The perception of the Teslas they leased “prevents them from fully enjoying their car”, it said.

Most of the leases run for four years, with an option at the end to buy the vehicle.

Tesla cars in Europe and elsewhere have been targeted by vandals, with some drivers reporting they have been insulted for using what is sometimes called on social media a “swasti-car”.

Several owners have taken to putting stickers on their Teslas reading “I bought this before Elon went crazy”.

“The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners,” Klugman told AFP.

“Musk’s political positions have interrupted enjoyment” of the vehicles, and “we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold”, he said.

Contacted by AFP for comment, Tesla did not immediately respond.

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Elon Musk unveils XChat to rival WhatsApp, Telegram, others globally

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Billionaire Elon Musk is pushing forward his ambition to transform X (formerly Twitter) into an “everything app” with the launch of XChat, a new messaging feature designed to rival the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.

Unveiled over the weekend, XChat introduces end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, file sharing, and audio/video calling.

Musk described the tool as “all new” in a post on Sunday, emphasizing its focus on secure, private communication.

“All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages, and the ability to send any kind of file.  

“This is built on Rust with (Bitcoin style) encryption, a whole new architecture. You can do audio/video calls without a phone number across all platforms,” Elon Musk posted.

Early reports suggest the feature is already in beta testing among paid X subscribers. Leaked screenshots by app researcher Nima Owji show support for group chats, a vanish mode, and a four-digit passcode to lock messages, a significant upgrade to X’s previous direct messaging capabilities.

The bigger picture 

XChat is part of Musk’s long-term goal of morphing X into a Western super app, similar to China’s WeChat.

This vision encompasses everything from messaging and payments to entertainment, commerce, and even dating.

Musk previously told employees he wants X to function as a digital bank and dating app by 2024, part of a sweeping transformation that could change how users engage with the platform.

He’s not alone in this race. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is also building a “super app” through his side project, World, which recently launched an app store and biometric ID system called Orbs.

What you should know 

With 600 million monthly active users as of October 2024, Musk’s X holds a considerable lead but retaining that user base is critical.

The rollout of XChat could help the platform move beyond just being a public town square and into users’ everyday digital routines.

Last year, X unveiled plans to roll out a peer-to-peer payment system on the platform, saying it would unlock more user utility and new opportunities for commerce.

  • The company said this would also showcase the power of the platform users living their “life in one place.
  • Reports have indicated that as of December 2023, X was licensed for payment processing in a dozen U.S. states, and by this January, that number stands at 14, with the recent additions of Arkansas and Pennsylvania.
  • Musk had earlier said that he envisions a platform where users will be able to send money to others and extract those funds to authenticated bank accounts.

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