What is the future of the car?

What is the future of the car? - Just Recruitment

If the government is fixed on banning petrol and diesel cars, it needs to invest in the automotive sector, says Tim Gibson

By Tim Gibson

Put your money where your mouth is. That’s the response coming from the car industry after the government unveiled plans to bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel cars.

    ...only new cars on sale in the UK from 2035 will be powered by electricity or hydrogen.  

In an announcement on Tuesday, 4 February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the proposed ban on sales of traditionally powered cars would be implemented in 2035, rather than 2040 as originally planned.

In a further move, he said the ban would extend to hybrid vehicles. As a result, the only new cars on sale in the UK from 2035 will be powered by electricity or hydrogen.

That sounds like a great idea. As David Attenborough, who launched the initiative alongside the PM, has repeatedly said, if we don’t act now on climate change it will be too late.

Even so, we need to be realistic. As the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) argues, the technology needs to be in place to support a ban on fossil-fuel-powered cars. If it isn’t, it is unlikely to be enforced.

What is the future of the car? - Just RecruitmentAs things stand, all-electric cars make up a minuscule proportion of overall vehicle sales in the UK. Data from 2019 puts the figure at 2.3pc, rising to 10pc when you factor in hybrid vehicles.

Even news from Deloitte’s Global Automotive Survey that 1 in 10 buyers is planning on purchasing an electric vehicle when they next upgrade doesn’t change the technology shortfall currently blighting the sector.

The truth is that all-electric cars just aren’t viable for the average motorist. They have insufficient range to support journeys of more than 200 miles, making them unfeasible as transport for people who routinely travel long distances or don’t have access to a decent charging infrastructure.

As SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes made plain in a statement in response to Mr Johnson’s announcement, it will “take more than industry investment” to realise the government’s “challenging” ambition.

    As things stand, all-electric cars make up a minuscule proportion of overall vehicle sales in the UK.   

In other words, unless the government is prepared to subsidise significant research and development in the automotive sector, there simply won’t be the technology to implement the ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

Given that the industry is already struggling as a result of Brexit and global economic forces (output among UK manufacturers was down 14.2pc in 2019 ­– the lowest it has been since the recession of 2010), it is not a good time to expect game-changing innovation.

Sure, a number of manufacturers have either launched or are launching all-electric vehicles with extended ranges. The Jaguar iPace has an official range of 292 miles, for example, and Ford claims its new Mustang Mach-E will be able to cover 300 miles on a single charge.

But anyone who’s driven an all-electric car will tell you these official ranges rarely play out in reality. The iPace, for example, seems capable of around 190 miles per charge in real-world conditions: much better than first-generation EVs like the original Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe, but still not good enough.

What is the future of the car? - Tim GibsonAnd as for hydrogen cell technology, it promises great things, but is so nascent as to be unworthy of consideration as a viable solution within 15 years.

All of which means the government’s commitment stands on shaky ground. It requires a revolution in the automotive sector, at a time when finances are weaker than ever.

It’s not that decarbonising the car industry by 2035 is an unworthy ambition, nor even that there isn’t the will among manufacturers and the buying public to give it a jolly good go. But it’s hard to see how it can be achieved without a significant influx of cash.

So, Mr Johnson, the question is this: what is the government doing to support the achievement of your bold target? Because now more than ever, the planet needs realism as well as hope.

© 2020 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 5 February 2020

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Just testing: Volvo XC40 R-Design T3 Automatic FWD

You may also enjoy: Why Dry January is my smartest decision of 2020 so far

Jobs currently available

Service Engineer (Gas Safe)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Guildford
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB15
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Service Engineer, ideally located in the Guildford area, to cover South East London and the South East England region.

The role will involve carrying out routine servicing and maintenance, including filter changes and breakdown repairs, across a wide range of company units. You will need to have a good level of physical fitness and be comfortable working at heights.

Occasional call-out cover will also be required to support a key local customer.

Key requirements include:

  • Must have a full driving licence
  • Must be Gas Safe Registered, ideally with CoNGLP1 PD COCN 1 CIGA 1
  • CDGA 1 ACS accreditations
  • Electrical/Mechanical/Engineering background required
  • Experience with gas/oil burners
  • Self-motivated and innovative
  • Ability to use initiative and have excellent customer liaison skills

The benefits package includes:

  • Competitive salary depending on experience, overtime, paid door to door (at 1.5x (travel included)
  • Company Vehicle
  • Mobile Phone / Tablet
  • Pension
  • Private Health Scheme
  • 25 Days Holidays

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Electrical Maintenance Engineer (Days)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB22
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting an Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Braintree, Essex.

The purpose of this role is to take a proactive approach to preventing equipment failure and to ensure that all planned preventative maintenance (PM) schedules are completed effectively and on time.

You will work as an integral part of the maintenance team, supporting the achievement of quality, waste reduction, efficiency, and KPI targets, while ensuring all Health & Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.
20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked, plus bank holidays.
The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing / processing / warehouse / cold store industry experience.
  • Electrical bias, electrical qualifications/time served apprenticeship.
  • 4 years’ experience
  • A good standard of both written and oral English.
  • Basic Health & Safety.
  • Data and analytical skills.
  • Computer literate. (Word/Excel/Windows-based packages).

Desirable skills:

  • PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, welding, FLT/MEWP licence.
  • Can do approach, drive and ambition towards maintenance excellence.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Part-Time Finance Manager
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913741
About the role

Just Recruitment is supporting a growing, sector-leading business in Sudbury that is looking for a Part-Time Finance Manager to join their team.

The key purpose of this role is to manage the Finance Department and to support senior management in all areas of finance and accounting, reporting directly to the MD and being responsible for an Accounts Assistant.

Key duties include:

  • Reconciling current accounts on SAGE.
  • Updating the cash flow spreadsheet and reviewing.
  • Loading purchase invoices onto SAGE and distributing them for approval.
  • Producing Balance of Accounts for Finance Meeting.
  • Reviewing the sales ledger and purchase ledger.
  • Compiling supplier invoices, reviewing and loading for payment via Bacs, updating SAGE and sending remittance advice.
  • Managing SAGE backups.
  • Reconciling all bank accounts against paper statements.
  • Loading credit card payments onto SAGE and reconciling against the paper statement.
  • Calculating commission figures for payroll.
  • Processing wages – gathering all timesheets and expenses, compiling and sending to an outsourced company, receiving documents and payslips back, loading Bacs payments and sending payslips and loading Journals onto SAGE.
  • Downloading monthly supplier invoices.
  • Creating monthly sales invoices.
  • Compiling and filing VAT returns.
  • Compiling required documents for accountants at the financial year end, processing SAGE year-end end and communicating as necessary with accountants
  • Managing commercial and vehicle insurance. Reviewing current circumstances, reassessing cover and requirements, and supplying supporting documents.
  • All property management tasks with support from the Accounts Assistant.
  • Reconciling rental payments from the agent’s statement.
  • Communicating with and managing tenants when required.
  • Supporting other departments as required.

This is a part-time role - working 20 - 25 hours per week - this role is office-based, and the ideal candidate will be able to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, but hours can be flexible.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a lovely business, with a great ethos and a long-standing team.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Engineer (North West Region)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: North West
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913740
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing, industry-leading business seeking to add a Field Service Engineer to its team. This role will cover the North West region, including Manchester, Lancashire, and the surrounding areas.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the installation, commissioning, service, repair, breakdown, and maintenance of the company’s range of capital equipment across a variety of environments in the North West.

Duties include:

  • Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault finding of a wide range of different manufactured and third‐party equipment.
  • Provide user training to end clients when required.
  • Provide feedback to customers on any issues raised during a commissioning, maintenance, or fault‐finding visit.

To be considered for this exciting role, you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years’ experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience in performing in a technical field service team.
  • Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills.
  • Ability to present information in a structured and balanced way.
  • Good working knowledge of Word and Excel.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Positive ‘can‐do’ attitude.
  • Problem solver ‐ ability to engineer solutions on the job.
  • Ability to work and manage in a high‐pressure environment.
  • Work autonomously, taking initiative to resolve customer issues.
  • Willing to travel and work unsociable hours when needed.
  • Some overnight stays are required.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation.

You will be:

  • Joining a national team of Field Service personnel who take great pride in their work and who aim to build upon long-term relationships with customers.
  • Continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies.
  • You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management, and your technical knowledge will be enhanced through training courses.

For those with the desire, there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced. A generous remuneration package is also guaranteed, including a competitive salary, company healthcare package, contributory pension scheme, phone, and laptop, along with the opportunity to progress your career within a market-leading organisation.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Electrical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB25
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Maintenance Engineer for a company based in Tiverton, Devon.

You will need to have an electrical bias and ideally have experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.

The key objective of this role is to support the efficient operation of production facilities.

This includes:

  • Conducting regular safety inspections.
  • Performing both preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, and maintaining all site electrical systems.
  • Identifying and implementing improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and manage external contractors and maintenance resources.
  • Experience with CNC machinery is essential as a significant part of the role involves performing preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, including diagnostics and repair of control systems (Fanuc, Siemens, Hurco), and overseeing calibrations.
  • The role will also involve installation, testing, and maintenance of site electrical systems, including EV chargers.
  • Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults within machinery and control systems.
  • Overseeing machine calibrations and alignments.
  • Experience with PLC control systems.

Qualifications:

An electrical engineering qualification such as City & Guilds, HNC/HND, or equivalent is essential.

Hours:

39 hour working week: Monday to Thursday, 7am - 4pm and Friday 7am - 12pm.

This role offers Excellent Benefits, including:

  • 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
  • Company contributions to pension.
  • Healthcare cashback scheme.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Opportunities for overtime at a premium rate.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more