Fuel retailer Ampol is scaling back plans to roll out 300 electric vehicle charging
stations claiming it has encountered problems connecting to the power grid. The
company suggesting it will now fall short on its plans to expand the number of EV
charging bays from 92 to 300 by year end. The company has blamed difficulties in
gaining access to power lines in an already congested grid which is struggling to
cope with an influx of renewable energy generation. The change of plans comes
just weeks after the company announced plans to install more than 200 extra fast
chargers after receiving a $100 million grant from the Federal Government. Ampol
with 1800 service stations around the country currently has 92 charging bays at
41 of its sites, company MD Matt Halliday claiming another 36 bays are awaiting
power. I’m David Berthon

Fuel retailer Ampol is scaling back plans to roll out 300 electric vehicle charging stations claiming it has encountered problems connecting to the power grid. The company suggesting it will now fall short on its plans to expand the number of EV charging bays from 92 to 300 by year end. The company has blamed difficulties in gaining access to power lines in an already congested grid which is struggling to cope with an influx of renewable energy generation. The change of plans comes just weeks after the company announced plans to install more than 200 extra fast chargers after receiving a $100 million grant from the Federal Government. Ampol with 1800 service stations around the country currently has 92 charging bays at 41 of its sites, company MD Matt Halliday claiming another 36 bays are awaiting power. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Ampol scales back plans for electric vehicle chargers due to congested power grid

Driving Kia’s latest Sorento seven-seat SUV – more specifically the high spec
2.2-litre turbo diesel eight speed automatic all-wheel-drive GT-line – around
$73,000 on road. Now in an upgraded sharp looking fourth generation model this
latest Sorento is big, bold and extremely well controlled. Ride and handling a Kia
forte due to excellent local tuning and whilst it’s no lightweight around town this
large seven-seat SUV is nimble and shrinks around you – a very comfortable SUV
but one that can mix it in the rough with ease – the diesel engine on the open
road quiet and relaxed – the eight speed dual clutch automatic just so smooth in
changes, the turbo-diesel’s high level of torque meaning whilst cruising its
working at minimal revs and is very quiet displaying good sound insulation to the
cabin. Unlike the latest breed of Chinese SUVs the driver assist technologies are
well tuned and not intrusive although the lane keep assist and lane departure can
get a little annoying and need further refinement. The Kia Sorento’s sensors front
and rear make parking a breeze, the new side parking sensors most welcome.
Economy in mostly eco mode I achieved 7.6L/100. Like most SUV’s the Sorento
has risen in price by $3,600 but it’s a goody. I’m David Berthon

Driving Kia’s latest Sorento seven-seat SUV – more specifically the high spec 2.2-litre turbo diesel eight speed automatic all-wheel-drive GT-line – around $73,000 on road. Now in an upgraded sharp looking fourth generation model this latest Sorento is big, bold and extremely well controlled. Ride and handling a Kia forte due to excellent local tuning and whilst it’s no lightweight around town this large seven-seat SUV is nimble and shrinks around you – a very comfortable SUV but one that can mix it in the rough with ease – the diesel engine on the open road quiet and relaxed – the eight speed dual clutch automatic just so smooth in changes, the turbo-diesel’s high level of torque meaning whilst cruising its working at minimal revs and is very quiet displaying good sound insulation to the cabin. Unlike the latest breed of Chinese SUVs the driver assist technologies are well tuned and not intrusive although the lane keep assist and lane departure can get a little annoying and need further refinement. The Kia Sorento’s sensors front and rear make parking a breeze, the new side parking sensors most welcome. Economy in mostly eco mode I achieved 7.6L/100. Like most SUV’s the Sorento has risen in price by $3,600 but it’s a goody. I’m David Berthon

Kia Sorento GT-Line diesel 4WD SUV - quiet achiever for a large 7-seat SUV.

Driving Kia’s large Sorento seven-seat SUV today – the fourth generation in a 10-
model range of petrol, diesel and hybrid models, in either front or all-wheel drive
– the Sorento a model with a strong reputation and recently upgraded – I drove
the well-equipped and tech advanced 2.2-litre turbo-diesel GT-Line 4WD flagship
now $3600 dearer and not- inexpensive at $73,000 drive-away. But stacked with
LED projector headlights, side parking sensors, quilted Nappa leather, a 360-
degree camera, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, a digital
instrument head-up display, full-size spare and 20-in alloy wheels. All in a roomy
three row cabin, the centre second row seat a little tight and its best as a six-
seater, with good ventilation to the third row and with great luggage space
especially with the third row folded, simply activated by pressing a button. The
good news in this latest model, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Plus a
wide double 12.3 inch screen set – one big screen the usability of which with
Kia’s new media system is first class. Five-star safety, a stack of drive assist
technology and the assurance of a 7-year warranty plus capped price service of
$1,398 for the first three years. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Driving Kia’s large Sorento seven-seat SUV today – the fourth generation in a 10- model range of petrol, diesel and hybrid models, in either front or all-wheel drive – the Sorento a model with a strong reputation and recently upgraded – I drove the well-equipped and tech advanced 2.2-litre turbo-diesel GT-Line 4WD flagship now $3600 dearer and not- inexpensive at $73,000 drive-away. But stacked with LED projector headlights, side parking sensors, quilted Nappa leather, a 360- degree camera, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, a digital instrument head-up display, full-size spare and 20-in alloy wheels. All in a roomy three row cabin, the centre second row seat a little tight and its best as a six- seater, with good ventilation to the third row and with great luggage space especially with the third row folded, simply activated by pressing a button. The good news in this latest model, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Plus a wide double 12.3 inch screen set – one big screen the usability of which with Kia’s new media system is first class. Five-star safety, a stack of drive assist technology and the assurance of a 7-year warranty plus capped price service of $1,398 for the first three years. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Kia Sorento GT-line diesel 4WD SUV - fourth generation builds on strong reputation.

Honda will launch upgraded HR-V SUV variants next month - all three models in
the small HR-V range more competitive and gaining price cuts - spearheaded by a
revised new entry Vi X HR-V at $34,900 drive-away, some $1,800 more affordable
whilst the most affordable hybrid e:HEV X will arrive at $39,990 drive-away,
shaving more than $7,000 from the previous hybrid entry price. The better
equipped hybrid e:HEV L will also reduce by $4,100 to $42,990 drive-away. The
new price reduced Honda HR-V range will arrive with minor cosmetic changes
including new adaptive LED headlights and refined tail-light detail while inside
they gain a changed centre console, some USB ports and extended storage trays.
Mechanically, a retuned power steering system, better soundproofing, revised
dampers and updates to the hybrid control unit software and Honda safety
sensing suite. I’m David Berthon

Honda will launch upgraded HR-V SUV variants next month - all three models in the small HR-V range more competitive and gaining price cuts - spearheaded by a revised new entry Vi X HR-V at $34,900 drive-away, some $1,800 more affordable whilst the most affordable hybrid e:HEV X will arrive at $39,990 drive-away, shaving more than $7,000 from the previous hybrid entry price. The better equipped hybrid e:HEV L will also reduce by $4,100 to $42,990 drive-away. The new price reduced Honda HR-V range will arrive with minor cosmetic changes including new adaptive LED headlights and refined tail-light detail while inside they gain a changed centre console, some USB ports and extended storage trays. Mechanically, a retuned power steering system, better soundproofing, revised dampers and updates to the hybrid control unit software and Honda safety sensing suite. I’m David Berthon

Ampol scales back plans for electric vehicle chargers due to congested power grid

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