September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 AFTERMARKET 7 www.gea.co.uk By regulation, vehicle lifts must be inspected and maintained by a competent person. Visit www.gea.co.uk to find a list of companies who have their engineers independently accredited by the Garage Equipment Association. IS YOUR VEHICLE LIFT SAFE? Garages could see more customers decide to make the jump to electric cars, following the government’s decision to allocate a further £2.5 million for the installation of over 1,000 new charge points on residential streets. The money will support the on-street residential changepoint scheme, launched in 2017. The scheme aims to encourage people without off-street parking to choose an electric vehicle by making it easier to charge their cars near home, following a 158% increase in battery electric vehicle sales compared to July last year. It will go towards helping local authorities to install these chargepoints, which can be built into existing structures including lamp-posts. The scheme has already seen 16 local authorities prepared to install 1,200 chargepoints this year. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “It’s vital that electric vehicle drivers feel confident about the availability of chargepoints near their homes, and that charging an electric car is seen as easy as plugging in a smartphone. That’s why we are now doubling the funding available for local authorities to continue building the infrastructure we need to super- charge the zero emission revolution – right across the country.” The allocation of funding for on-street residential chargepoints is part of the £1.5 billion investment underpinned by the Road to Zero Strategy. Prepare for glory: Textar goes Spartan Textar has expanded its distribution network across South Wales with the addition of new stockist Spartan Motor Factors. Spartan Motor Factors will now stock a full range of Textar products including brake pads and accessories, as well as brake fluid at its 12 sites. Lee Gratton, Director and co-founder of Spartan Motor Factors, said: “Textar provides a premium option to our customers, the brand’s renowned reputation for high quality performance makes it an ideal choice.” Nick Hayes, Key Account Manager at TMD Friction, added: “It’s great that motor factors can see how Textar can elevate their current product offerings.” EV street-charge funding doubled as electric sales rise Bendix brake callipers range launched by The Parts Alliance The Parts Alliance has added a new range of Bendix brake callipers. The range will be available from all of the group’s local brands throughout the UK branch network. Viral Modha, Head of Braking Category at The Parts Alliance commented: “Investing in developing this range made perfect sense given the success of Bendix brake friction within the UK aftermarket over the last 18 months.” The Bendix range of callipers will be exclusively available from The Parts Alliance.