As car manufacturers compete to capture market share, in-car entertainment and technology have become a key battleground. While performance, safety, and reliability remain vital in the car-buying decision, cutting-edge in-car tech—touted as essential for convenience and safety—now plays a major role in shaping consumer preferences. However, the rise of these technologies brings a darker side: driver distraction. It is estimated that distraction contributes to 10 to 30% of road collisions, a staggering statistic given its impact on European roads. Every year, nearly 25,000 lives are lost, and over 135,000 people suffer serious injuries, underscoring the urgent need to address this issue.

Research shows that texting while driving doubles the risk of a crash, making early innovations like Ford’s Sync system—which could read texts aloud and allow responses without taking hands off the wheel—a game-changer for safety. But as today’s systems increasingly integrate smartphone functions and offer access to a wide range of apps on tablet-like screens, are these infotainment systems becoming more of a distraction than a help?

Modern Infotainment Systems

Driving demands full attention, but with modern cars, distraction is just a tap—or a voice command—away. Distractions are typically categorised as physical, visual, or auditory, and for decades, research has focused on activities that compete for a driver’s attention. While the dangers of using mobile phones while driving are well-documented, the risks posed by in-car infotainment systems are less clear but increasingly concerning.

Touchscreens are now standard features on many new cars often replacing traditional physical controls. In 2022, the Swedish motoring magazine Vi Bilägare conducted a test to see how long it takes drivers to complete everyday tasks, like adjusting the temperature or changing the radio station, using touchscreens compared to traditional physical controls. The results highlighted that drivers take significantly longer to complete these tasks with in-car touchscreens.

Research from the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) for IAM RoadSmart found that using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems leads drivers to take their eyes off the road for extended periods. This distraction negatively affects lane control, speed consistency, and reaction times. Drivers often underestimate how long they’ve been distracted.

The automotive industry is placing greater emphasis on balancing cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design to reduce driver distraction. Innovations like voice control systems are being introduced as alternatives to touchscreens, aiming to reduce the cognitive load on drivers while still providing easy access to essential features.

A recent study published in Nature explored how different input methods—such as touchscreens versus voice-controlled auditory interfaces—affect driver distraction. The findings revealed that tasks like adjusting navigation or music were particularly distracting, with touchscreen inputs causing drivers to look away from the road for longer periods. In contrast, using voice commands significantly improved driving performance, reducing distraction levels and allowing drivers to keep their focus where it belongs—on the road.

The Future of In-Car Tech Systems

As in-car infotainment systems evolve, we can expect them to become even more complex, offering an ever-expanding array of apps and entertainment options, including video streaming and gaming. Access to subscription-based services like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify is set to become more common, with car manufacturers increasingly incorporating features that mirror the functionalities of smartphones.

However, with these advancements come new challenges. More research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of these in-car technologies. To ensure safety, regulations and guidelines must be developed and implemented to guide the design of these systems.

Looking ahead, new Euro NCAP testing rules, set to launch in 2026, will push manufacturers to prioritise safety by encouraging the use of separate, physical controls for basic functions. This move aims to promote safer driving. Under the upcoming rating scheme, manufacturers will no longer be able to achieve top safety ratings unless they provide proper physical switches for essential functions like indicators, hazard lights, the horn, windscreen wipers, and the eCall SOS function.

Driver distraction poses significant challenges for fleet managers, as it can significantly increase collision rates, leading to a heavy financial burden due to increased vehicle repairs, liability claims, and higher insurance premiums. Addressing distracted driving is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient fleet operation.

Car dealerships have a role to play. When selling cars, they should ensure that buyers understand both the benefits and potential risks of new in-car technologies. Consumers, too, should approach infotainment systems as potential safety hazards, ensuring they can access key information without taking their eyes off the road for extended periods.

In addition, car manufacturers should consider implementing technology that automatically detects when a vehicle is in motion, limiting access to distracting features while driving. By taking these steps, we can make roads safer and reduce the risks associated with modern infotainment systems.

With a little more than a decade until the EU bans the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, companies with vehicle fleets of all sizes are under significant pressure to begin transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). Electrifying a fleet is a crucial move towards sustainability and significantly reducing carbon emissions. However, adopting EVs within a fleet presents numerous challenges, requiring careful navigation of various aspects, from cost considerations to finding suitable electric alternatives, to ensuring the new vehicles meet the needs of their drivers.

The challenges of electrifying a Fleet
One of the critical factors fleet managers face when considering commercial fleet electrification is the potential high upfront costs associated with purchasing EVs outright. Coupled with low residual values, this often makes the immediate business case for EVs unclear. Price volatility in the new electric car market, along with a decrease in demand and oversupply, has contributed to a downward trend for residual value on EVs in recent months. Higher-than-expected depreciation on EVs means fleet managers encounter increased costs when it comes to the time to replace these vehicles, posing challenges for overall budget planning. However, as the market matures and consumer confidence bounces-back, the depreciation rates for EVs will become more predictable and stable.

In the meantime, companies can adopt strategies to mitigate the impact of residual values:

• Leasing EVs: Instead of purchasing, leasing can transfer the residual value risk to leasing companies while still reaping operational and sustainability benefits for the company.
• Combining EVs with ICE Vehicles: In the short term, this provides flexibility and balances overall fleet depreciation during the transition period.
• Choosing Established Brands: Opting for more established brands is likely to yield better residual values due to their market reputation and reliability.
• Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership: Consider not just the purchase price, but also the cost of electricity, servicing and maintenance, and other associated expenses.
• Utilizing Financial Incentives: Take advantage of available financial incentives, grants, and tax breaks for electric vehicle purchases and infrastructure development, such as lower Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) taxes and favourable capital depreciation allowances for EVs.

Addressing range anxiety and infrastructure investment
Improved battery technology, expanding charging infrastructure, and home charging has largely made range anxiety a thing of the past for personal EV use. However, fleet vehicles often cover greater distances daily compared to personal vehicles. Even with improved ranges, current EVs might not always meet these extensive daily requirements without multiple recharges. Unlike personal use, which often involves predictable routes, companies (and by extension their fleet) require flexibility.

For fleet managers, the key questions to consider are: What vehicles are in use? How are they used and where do they reside at night? Are they in use 24/7? These factors are crucial in shaping decisions about electrification. If vehicles are parked overnight, setting up charging stations at the company’s location ensures the fleet is fully charged and ready to go each morning. However, alternative charging solutions will need to be implemented if vehicles don’t return to a set location overnight which may mean relying on the public charging network or having employees charge vehicles at home. Understanding these dynamics is essential for a smooth transition to an electric fleet, and can ensure the fleet remains efficient and sustainable.

Importance of driver buy-in
Range anxiety can impact driver behaviour and satisfaction. Drivers accustomed to the convenience of refuelling at service stations may find the limited range and longer recharging times of EVs stressful, potentially affecting job performance and morale. Understanding fleet utilization patterns and operational needs is therefore essential, and implementing telematics can offer insights to enhance understanding of fleet decarbonization efforts and mitigate some concerns.

The importance of driver buy-in cannot be underestimated and is a key requirement for a smooth transition to electric fleets. Some drivers will embrace change, while others may resist it. Making electrification a business goal rather than simply a sustainability issue encourages buy-in from employees. To successfully transition your fleet to EVs, identify and engage those drivers who are enthusiastic and passionate about the switch early on. Their excitement and support will drive the transition forward smoothly.

The path forward
Switching to an electric fleet comes with its challenges, but just like managing a traditional ICE fleet, it demands flexibility and adaptability.  Set a clear target for the transition and start working towards it step-by-step.  Any fleet can be electrified with time, effort, and a fresh perspective. This transition brings immediate benefits like lower running costs, reduced service and maintenance expenses, and of course a smaller carbon footprint.

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) represents a significant shift in corporate sustainability reporting for Irish businesses, requiring detailed and standardized disclosure of ESG factors for companies large and small. Fleet electrification can play a crucial role in meeting these requirements by reducing environmental impacts, lowering operational costs, and providing accurate data for reporting. By proactively transitioning to electric fleets, Irish companies can not only comply with the CSRD, but also gain strategic advantages in sustainability and market positioning.

Looking ahead, fleet electrification in totality is about future-proofing your business, reducing dependence on finite resources, attracting investment, and contributing positively to society and the environment.

The European Union’s (EU) decision to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 marks a significant step in combating climate change and transitioning towards cleaner transportation. However, after nearly two years of negotiations, Germany’s Minister of Transport raised objections just as the agreement was nearing finalization. The Germans proposed amending the law to allow the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars beyond 2035, provided hydrogen-derived e-fuels powered them. On Saturday, March 25th, the European Commission (EC) and Germany reached an agreement to permit the sale of combustion engine vehicles fueled by E-fuels post the 2035 ban, and “vehicles with internal combustion engines can still be newly registered after 2035 if they fill up exclusively with CO2-neutral fuels.”, German Transport Minister Volker Wissing announced on Twitter.

However, as we will see, while synthetic fuels in theory could offer a lifeline to ICE vehicles, it is clear they are currently far from a perfectly sustainable solution.

What are e-fuels?

E-fuels are produced by combining hydrogen extracted from water and carbon from the air, resulting in a synthetic, storable, and transportable liquid fuel. These artificially created fuels mimic the properties of fossil fuels and are suitable for use in various modes of transportation, including conventional aircraft, maritime vessels, trucks, and cars. Moreover, e-fuels can seamlessly integrate into existing distribution networks and fueling stations. However, they must be manufactured using hydrogen generated from renewable electricity and carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere to qualify as carbon neutral.

So who is making e-fuels?

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 200 low-emission e-fuel projects are currently in progress worldwide. However, the majority of them are only at a start-up stage. Porsche, the German car manufacturer, has invested more than USD 100 million in developing and producing e-fuels. Located in Chile, the Haru Oni project, the world’s first integrated pilot plant for the production of synthetic, potentially near-carbon-neutral fuels opened in 2022 and was a joint venture by Porsche and the Chilean company HIF Global (Highly Innovative Fuels). The company plans to scale up production so the e-fuels produced can also be generated for use in air travel, shipping or heavy goods transport. Norway’s Norsk e-Fuel aims to establish what could be the world’s first large-scale production facility for electro fuel. Electro-fuel, also known as e-fuel, is a fossil-free aviation fuel compatible with current aircraft and will be produced at a plant in Mosjøen in Nordland for the aviation sector and it is expected to produce e-Fuel from renewable electricity as early in 2026.

The downside?

The cost of e-fuels is likely to be a major deterrent, for now. According to a study by Transport & Environment (T&E), a prominent European environmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable transport policies, E-petrol could potentially cost 50% more than regular petrol today by 2030 due to its complex and energy-intensive production methods. This would mean an annual expenditure of at least €2,300 for the average driver to refuel their vehicle. The Brussels based think-tank also cautions that despite the potential carbon neutrality of synthetic fuels, they still release harmful air pollutants, particularly toxic NO2 and carcinogenic particles. In fact, E-petrol cars would be regarded as CO2 neutral, yet they would still emit approximately five times more CO2 emissions than comparable electric vehicle (EV) models. According to their analysis, vehicles powered by e-fuels could contribute up to 160,000 tonnes of additional NOx pollution in the EU by 2050—exceeding the toxic emissions from Italy’s entire car fleet in a single year. In contrast to emission-free electric cars, e-petrol and e-diesel vehicles will do little to reduce air pollution.

Finally, e-fuels are also incredibly energy intensive. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, multiple studies indicate that 70% of the energy contained in e-fuels is lost during combustion in internal combustion engines, resulting in an overall efficiency of 16% for the e-fuels pathway. Consequently, a significant portion of the energy derived from solar or wind sources is wasted. In contrast, in electric vehicles, only 10% of total energy is lost during charging and 20% is lost by the motor, resulting in an overall efficiency of 72%. Powering a car via e-fuels is therefore a far more inefficient and costly process due to the extra renewable energy that will be required, such as the additional solar panels and wind turbines to power a car with e-fuels compared to a battery electric car.

Are they a lifeline for ICE vehicles?

In short, no. At least not at the moment. While e-fuels might find a niche in industries like aviation, their viability as a sustainable option for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars remains doubtful. The economic and efficiency considerations suggest that battery electric vehicles are a more practical option for current and future transportation needs. While improvements in efficiency and cost reductions may occur over time, the future of e-fuels likely resides in fueling airplanes and possibly classic cars. For now, battery electric vehicles remain the most efficient choice for personal transportation.

References:

International Energy Agency – https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a24ed363-523f-421b-b34f-0df6a58b2e12/TheRoleofE-fuelsinDecarbonisingTransport.pdf

transport and environment – https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/over-e200-to-fill-up-a-car-the-cost-of-germanys-bid-to-keep-combustion-engines/

By 2030, there will be more than 30 million electric vehicles (EVs) on European roads. While EVs produce no tailpipe emissions on the road their manufacturing process, including the production of batteries, still contributes to carbon emissions. How environmentally friendly are Electric Vehicles (EVs), and how do they compare to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars powered by petrol or diesel?

The Manufacturers

Car makers are setting ambitious targets to become carbon neutral and recognise the importance of the circular economy and its potential to address environmental challenges, reduce resource consumption, and create economic value. Ford opened its first official carbon-neutral manufacturing plant in Cologne, Germany last Summer while Volkswagen and Toyota aim to be carbon-neutral by 2050.  All new vehicles from Mercedes-Benz will be net carbon-neutral along the entire value chain by 2039 and General Motors (GM) plans to be carbon-neutral by 2040 in its global products and operations. Stellantis, formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group plans to reach carbon net-zero by 2038. But some car makers have more ambitious plans and Polestar aims to produce a net-zero car by 2030 by identifying and eliminating all carbon emissions, from the extraction of raw materials to production through to end-of-life handling.

The Carbon Gap

Initially, there may be a notable carbon gap between Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars at the point of sale. However, throughout their lifespan on the road, ICE cars continue to emit CO2, whereas electric cars produce no emissions apart from particles generated by tyres and brakes.
Research conducted by Transport & Environment (T&E) indicates that on average, an electric car in Europe emits over three times less CO₂ than equivalent petrol cars. Under optimal conditions, where battery production and charging utilize the cleanest electricity grid available, a medium-sized EV can be nearly six times cleaner (-83%). Even in less favorable scenarios, such as when the battery is manufactured in China and the car is charged in Poland, EVs are still 37% cleaner compared to petrol cars. With an average battery, electric cars driven in Germany or Italy are approximately 2.5 times cleaner (-61% and -62%), while those driven in France and Sweden demonstrate emissions reductions exceeding fivefold (-81% and -82%). EVs purchased in 2030 are expected to reap the full benefits of a cleaner electricity grid and are anticipated to be 4.6 times cleaner than petrol cars.

The Batteries

Rare earth material shortages can be addressed as battery technology continues to advance and new alternatives to conventional lithium-ion chemistry are expected to emerge. Exploration of alternative raw materials is underway, with companies like CATL, a prominent Chinese battery manufacturer, developing a new sodium-ion battery. Moreover, BYD, a global leader in electrified vehicles, uses lithium iron phosphate instead of the usual lithium-ion cells in their cobalt-free Blade Battery.
However, much more could be done to improve environmental practices in the mining sector. One avenue for progress involves reinvesting profits into local communities to support education and training initiatives. By providing opportunities that are often inaccessible to people in developing countries, such measures can help mitigate the environmental impact of mining while fostering social and economic development.

One important step to reducing life cycle emissions from electric cars is recycling or reusing the battery. The European Parliament and the Council adopted the new Batteries Regulation on 12 July 2023. This seeks not only to ensure ethical mining techniques but also to reduce demand for mining by more effectively recycling the raw materials and it establishes end-of-life requirements, including collection targets and obligations, targets for the recovery of materials, and extended producer responsibility. These measures are crucial steps toward fostering a circular economy and nurturing the growth of a competitive and sustainable battery industry.

The Lifespan

At the end of their lifespan in  Electric Vehicles (BEVs), batteries might no longer be suitable for vehicle use however, this presents a significant opportunity to re-purpose them for a “second life,” such as electricity storage on the grid. This practice can effectively reduce the overall carbon footprint of battery production.
Shortages of raw materials are driving investment in battery recycling and carmakers are addressing the challenges by establishing partnerships with raw material suppliers and recyclers, for example, Volkswagen and Audi partnered with Redwood Materials in North America and claim to recover more than 95% of the metals like nickel, cobalt, lithium and copper from the batteries and use them to remanufacture components that are supplied back to US battery cell manufacturers.

Electric cars contribute to reducing transport emissions but also create new challenges, particularly in terms of electricity sources, battery production methods, and end-of-life management practices.  Nevertheless, the environmental repercussions of oil extraction for fuel are substantial and overwhelming evidence suggests that throughout their operational lifespans, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) emit fewer carbon emissions than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars, making them a more environmentally friendly option.