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- Crankcase Chronicles - Belly Pan Racer, British Made EV & possibly the perfect home!
Crankcase Chronicles - Belly Pan Racer, British Made EV & possibly the perfect home!
Edition 11


Belly Tank Racer photograph taken at Bike Shed Moto
The photograph above was taken at the Bike Shed Moto Show, if you want to see more of this fantastic-looking vehicle check out my video here, this belly tank racer appears at about the 2-minute mark in the video. You will find plenty of car and bike-related videos and shorts on my channel.
News.
Electric car drivers must pay tax from 2025
From April 2025, electric cars will no longer be exempt from vehicle excise duty, according to the chancellor's recent announcement.
Jeremy Hunt explained that this change aims to make the motoring tax system "fairer."
Hunt stated, "With the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicting that half of all new vehicles will be electric by 2025, to ensure a fairer motoring tax system, I have decided that electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from vehicle excise duty starting in April 2025."
The new plan means electric cars registered from April 2025 will pay an initial fee of £10 in the first year, transitioning to the standard rate, which is presently £165.
Additionally, the standard rate will apply to electric vehicles registered after April 2017.
Having been an EV owner for the last 6 years I can see this slowing the takeup of EVs. The main benefits of EV ownership are the lack of road tax and the greatly reduced running costs. But being an EV owner has some downsides especially if buying a used vehicle. Low mileage from a charge can be a real issue, especially in the winter, lack of available charging points and the biggest issue the cost of replacement batteries if you own rather than rent them.
With my van batteries pretty much shot, I am considering returning to a petrol or diesel vehicle rather than another EV. Don’t get me wrong I love the convenience of electric and the virtually non-existent maintenance costs but the purchase price of a new commercial vehicle is extremely high.
This needs some thought of a radical rethink of the way I work!
Cars.
This guy has all the toys you could ever want!
Bikes.
Maeving Electric Motorcycles.
I first noticed these bikes when I walked past the showroom in the Covent Garden/7 Dials area of London. They looked cool through the windows but I didnt have time to stop and have a proper look. Fast forward to the Bike shed show and there they were. Personally I think they look great and there is lots to like about them:
Built in Britain
80 mile range
Depending on the model 45 to 70mph top speed.
Classic looks
Charge anywhere
Reasonable price £4995 to £7495
What am I not sure about, well after owning an electric van the cost of replacement batteries could be an issue and the range means that these bikes are purely city run arounds or commuter bikes. But saying that they look cooler than 90% of the scooters out there and the purchase price is very affordable .
Clothing and accessories.
The classic Canvas cap by Carhartt at the bargain price of £14
Art
Music
EDC.
Firexo All in One Stainless Steel Fire Extinguisher 500ml Chrome
Multipurpose Extinguisher for ALL FIRES inc. Li-ion Battery Fires! - Emergency Equipment for Home & Car
Perfect for the car, home, work van or camping.
Social Media channels.