Adam Hunt 17.01.22
Specialist Professional Practice in Journalism
7004MAPA
Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Coventry University
1
, News Stories and Features
Volvo Study Sparks Controversy Over the USP of EVs
By Adam Hunt, on 17th January 2022
A recent study by the automotive manufacturer Volvo, suggests electric vehicles produce far
higher emissions than conventional Internal Combustion Vehicles (ICE).
The main problem with EVs (Electric Vehicles) is the mining and production process of raw
minerals and metals. These crucial materials are exceptionally “dirty” to take from the deep
deposits within the earth, where they lie. Extraction uses heavy machinery dumping huge
amounts of Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxides into the atmosphere.
The Swedish automotive giant explained that over the course of an electric car’s entire
lifetime, it would have a lower overall pollution level. However, for this to happen, the car
would first need to be driven for around 68,000 miles. This would roughly take a UK
motorist 5-9 years to achieve, based on the 2021 average of 7,400 miles motorists drive each
year. The report demonstrated that greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous
Oxide) throughout production of the electric vehicle are almost 70% higher than the
equivalent petrol model. This was mainly due to the carbon concentration of battery and steel
production.
Industry experts have condemned the official figures from Volvo’s study, suggesting it would
only take roughly 16,000 miles before the EV is cleaner than the ICE. However, Volvo’s
Chief Executive, Håkan Samuelsson, responded saying,
“We need governments and energy firms around the globe to step up their investments in
clean energy capacity and related charging infrastructure”.
2
,Volvo continue to sell ICE vehicles at significantly higher rates than EVs. Last year fully
electric vehicles only made up roughly 4% of total sales for 2021.
1
ENDS
Word Count: 259
BMW Dominate 2022 What Car? Awards
1
This article is intended for print publication such as that of a newspaper or magazine. This piece was originally
going to be used for the Automotive magazine; however, it is now slightly outdated. Feedback concluded a
quote from a relevant figure would make the story stronger.
3
, By Adam Hunt, on 19th January 2022
Automotive giant BMW have prevailed at the 2022 What Car? Awards with an impressive
roster of winning cars in over 7 different categories.
The company’s 3 series, 4 series, 4 series convertible, 5 series and X5 series have proven to
be strong contenders winning in their individual categories. These cars were deemed “Best in
Class” by a panel of scrutinous reviewers.
Furthermore, the electric versions of the 3 and 5 series (330e and 530e) both managed to
maintain their distinctions from last year’s awards in “Best Executive Car” and “Best Luxury
Car”.
BMW’s new 4 series models have really seen success over their short production life,
winning the prestigious “Convertible of the Year” trophy. Critics were astounded by the 4
series with its,
“Bulletproof underpinnings of the 3 Series, but with a sexier silhouette.”
Reviewers were also fond of the new BMW X5 xDrive45e, which won the prestigious and
highly competitive “Luxury SUV of the Year” and “Best Plug-In Hybrid for Long Distance”
awards. Critics were very impressed with BMW’s long range battery life and efficiency and
remarked how the SUV,
“Is hard to beat as an overall package because it's smooth, classy and luxurious.”
2
2
This article would also be intended for print publication such as that of a magazine or newspaper. This article
is also slightly outdated to be used in the Automotive magazine. Feedback concluded the piece should be
written more succinctly and matter of fact. I used a confusing sentence structure to attempt to make the
article more interesting but in reality, just made it less coherent.
4
Specialist Professional Practice in Journalism
7004MAPA
Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Coventry University
1
, News Stories and Features
Volvo Study Sparks Controversy Over the USP of EVs
By Adam Hunt, on 17th January 2022
A recent study by the automotive manufacturer Volvo, suggests electric vehicles produce far
higher emissions than conventional Internal Combustion Vehicles (ICE).
The main problem with EVs (Electric Vehicles) is the mining and production process of raw
minerals and metals. These crucial materials are exceptionally “dirty” to take from the deep
deposits within the earth, where they lie. Extraction uses heavy machinery dumping huge
amounts of Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxides into the atmosphere.
The Swedish automotive giant explained that over the course of an electric car’s entire
lifetime, it would have a lower overall pollution level. However, for this to happen, the car
would first need to be driven for around 68,000 miles. This would roughly take a UK
motorist 5-9 years to achieve, based on the 2021 average of 7,400 miles motorists drive each
year. The report demonstrated that greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous
Oxide) throughout production of the electric vehicle are almost 70% higher than the
equivalent petrol model. This was mainly due to the carbon concentration of battery and steel
production.
Industry experts have condemned the official figures from Volvo’s study, suggesting it would
only take roughly 16,000 miles before the EV is cleaner than the ICE. However, Volvo’s
Chief Executive, Håkan Samuelsson, responded saying,
“We need governments and energy firms around the globe to step up their investments in
clean energy capacity and related charging infrastructure”.
2
,Volvo continue to sell ICE vehicles at significantly higher rates than EVs. Last year fully
electric vehicles only made up roughly 4% of total sales for 2021.
1
ENDS
Word Count: 259
BMW Dominate 2022 What Car? Awards
1
This article is intended for print publication such as that of a newspaper or magazine. This piece was originally
going to be used for the Automotive magazine; however, it is now slightly outdated. Feedback concluded a
quote from a relevant figure would make the story stronger.
3
, By Adam Hunt, on 19th January 2022
Automotive giant BMW have prevailed at the 2022 What Car? Awards with an impressive
roster of winning cars in over 7 different categories.
The company’s 3 series, 4 series, 4 series convertible, 5 series and X5 series have proven to
be strong contenders winning in their individual categories. These cars were deemed “Best in
Class” by a panel of scrutinous reviewers.
Furthermore, the electric versions of the 3 and 5 series (330e and 530e) both managed to
maintain their distinctions from last year’s awards in “Best Executive Car” and “Best Luxury
Car”.
BMW’s new 4 series models have really seen success over their short production life,
winning the prestigious “Convertible of the Year” trophy. Critics were astounded by the 4
series with its,
“Bulletproof underpinnings of the 3 Series, but with a sexier silhouette.”
Reviewers were also fond of the new BMW X5 xDrive45e, which won the prestigious and
highly competitive “Luxury SUV of the Year” and “Best Plug-In Hybrid for Long Distance”
awards. Critics were very impressed with BMW’s long range battery life and efficiency and
remarked how the SUV,
“Is hard to beat as an overall package because it's smooth, classy and luxurious.”
2
2
This article would also be intended for print publication such as that of a magazine or newspaper. This article
is also slightly outdated to be used in the Automotive magazine. Feedback concluded the piece should be
written more succinctly and matter of fact. I used a confusing sentence structure to attempt to make the
article more interesting but in reality, just made it less coherent.
4
