Niro isn't just fiddling with hybrid power

Kia Niro road test by Steve Rogers

Come the end of the year more people will be driving hybrid or electric cars than ever before.

That is what the number crunchers at the car companies predict and there is no reason to doubt them. 

Hybrid and electric sales have more than doubled over the last five years but the trickle of new models will become a flood in 2020 driven by the need for all manufacturers to lower average CO2 emissions to 95g/km or less by next year.

Kia got in relatively early with Niro, launching its first hybrid in 2017, and it hit the bullseye because the crossover/SUV styling was the car nearly everyone was starting to buy and so it continues with SUV sales like a runaway train.

So is Niro the must 'go to' model for punters switching to hybrid power? Must is stretching it; rather give it serious consideration because Niro has a lot going for it.

Kia has opted for a relatively small 1.6 litre direct injection petrol engine paired with a 32kW electric motor which together muster 139bhp. It's no flyer, a sprint to sixty takes just over 11 seconds, but with the help of the electric motor it is quick off the line and with 265Nm of torque overtakes can be made without breaking into a sweat.

Rather than a continually variable transmission often used in hybrid cars, Kia has opted for a conventional automatic six-speed box and on balance this would be my preference.

The Niro's hybrid system is self charging, extending electric only mode by using the electric motor to harvest wasted energy when braking and decelerating. Drivers can do their bit by using the steering wheel paddles for braking. This not only replenishes the battery but makes passengers think you are a really smooth driver.

What we really crave is good clean economy and Niro was definitely on the money spending most of its time in the high fifties and even topping 60mpg. But drivers must play to the hybrid strengths which is gentle driving. Hard acceleration and long stretches at high speed will ruin economy to a far greater degree than hammering a similar diesel.

Kia built its reputation on value for money and once it won over customers it set about raising the quality and refinement bar. Sales heading towards the 100,000 a year show they have got it right. 

There aren't many companies that can match them for giving us all we desire in creature comforts.

Most sales are in the middle of the range but stretch one level more and the list is mouthwatering. 

Setting aside a full suite of safety features how do you fancy heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outer seats, auto dipping LED headlights, and that is a just a snapshot.

An upgrade in the middle of last year brought Niro into line with the most up to date technology Kia can offer and that included an electric parking brake instead of the antiquated foot pedal. Thank heavens for that.

More importantly the cabin has been give a decent makeover, with an upgrade in trim quality along with the signature SUV dashboard with an impressive 10.25in touchscreen display for all the major functions, but you can still use switches for heating selections. Thank heavens for that as well.

This is a roomy family car with plenty of space for leggy children in the back. The batteries are positioned under the rear seat rather than the boot floor but even though it has a wide opening and a flat loading floor it still loses out a bit on overall space compared to a non-hybrid crossover.

The choice of hybrid motoring is growing by the month and it is always best to cast the net as wide as possible before making the final choice. 

What Niro tells me is that we have nothing to fear from going hybrid and Niro is a good starting point. My guess is a lot of people will come back to that starting point for the final sale.

Key facts

Niro HEV '4'

£29,270 (starts £24,855)

1.6 GDI; 139bhp

0-60mph 11.1secs; 101mph

54.3mpg combined

99g/km. 1st year tax £120

Insurance group 29

Boot: 373 lires

County launches consultation on climate emergency

Members of the public can have their say on how to tackle the climate and ecological emergency at a special public meeting.

Last year Denbighshire County Council declared a climate and ecological emergency which included a commitment to make the authority net carbon zero by 2030 at the latest and call on the Welsh and UK governments to provide assistance and resources to enable the Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A cross political party working group has been established to progress action within the Council and a consultation has now been launched with members of the public also being invited to share their views at a meeting on Tuesday, February 25 at County Hall, Ruthin between 6pm and 8pm.

Submissions to the consultation can be made online and the meeting is being webcast live with questions also being submitted via Twitter.

Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s lead member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We want to hear what you think of our plans as a Council to reduce carbon, increase carbon capture and improve biodiversity and to also ask for your ideas for actions we can deliver.

“The Environment is a priority under our Corporate Plan and we have achieved a lot over the years as a Council on this agenda.

“We have reduced our carbon emissions, and the Council now only uses renewable electricity for its own buildings after switching to a renewable only energy provider for its schools, leisure centres, libraries, council offices and depots and we are halfway to reaching our target of planting 18,000 trees by 2022.”

Llangollen councillor Graham Timms, chair of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Working Group, said: “The Council wants to take the next step and become a net carbon zero and ecologically positive Council by 2030 and we are encouraging residents to attend the meeting to tell us what you think.

“We are looking forward to hearing from the public and showing them our commitment to the environment.”

Attendees will hear about the Council's plans in response to the climate and ecological emergency and will have the chance to ask questions and provide feedback on the Council's plans. 

Those wishing to attend can register their interest online before 9am, February 10 and the Council will let you know if you have a place by February 14.

The meeting is open to all ages and attendees under 16 must be accompanied by an individual aged 18 or over.

* Details on how to get your voice heard are on the Denbighshire County Conversation consultation website https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/510

Dementia awareness meeting at community hall

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council is hosting its next #DementiaAwareDenbighshire Community Led Network meeting on Thursday January 30, from 11am-1pm at St Collens Community Hall, Llangollen.

The aim of this network is to proactively lead on and facilitate initiatives to improve the awareness of Dementia in Denbighshire. 

The community-led network meets in community-based venues once every four months to keep momentum and build a movement for change across the county, making Denbighshire a safe, supportive and inclusive place for everyone.

The network is open to all individuals, organisations, voluntary and community groups and businesses operating in Denbighshire, people living with dementia and their families and carers, alongside representatives of Third Sector organisations and social enterprises, Town and Community Council Members, Denbighshire County Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, who are interested in building a movement for change.

The agenda for this meeting can be found here.

* To confirm your interest in attending this free event, register on Eventbrite:
bit.ly/DAD_NetworkMeeting_Jan2020

Alternatively you can call us on 01824 702 441.

Tree-mendous Scouts do their bit for the environment

* The Scouts get to work at the Mooring Basin.

A team of volunteers from Llangollen Scout group did their bit to help the environment by planting 60 native trees in the Mooring Basin at Llangollen.

The group have taken responsibility for keeping the area free from litter and have done several clean-up sessions in the past but they wanted to do something more. 

With the help of the Our Picturesque Landscape project, a National Lottery Heritage-funded project based at Plas Newydd, and trees acquired from the Woodland Trust, the young people were able to create a new woodland shaw.

The Woodland Trust’s free trees scheme supports communities in woodland planting projects across the UK. 

At the Mooring Basin there are also several fruit trees which needed some TLC, so the group mulched the trees with compost to boost them into the new growing season and put new guards around the trees to protect them from rabbit damage.

The Our Picturesque Landscape team and the rangers within the wider Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team hope that this will be the start of many more activities with young people in the area volunteering to support their local environment.

Richard Bellamy, Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wales said: “We are enthusiastic about giving young people the chance to learn about and protect the environment. Thanks to National Lottery players our funding helps them to work with others in their community bringing fresh ideas and energy to the task.  

"The tree planting that the scouts have done is an excellent example of how young people can get involved, develop new skills and interests, connect with their communities and have fun.”

Cohesion grants up for grabs

North West Wales Community Cohesion Fund is inviting local organisations to apply for funding of between £500 and £3,000 to ensure that cohesion is embedded in communities.

Applications are welcomed for events or activities in the counties of Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire.

For further information, contact the North-East  Wales Community Cohesion Team by e-mail: emily.reddy@wrexham.gov.uk, or call 07990 647679.

Police boss asks for extra 25p to tackle sex and drugs crimes

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A police boss has unveiled plans for a 25p a week increase in the cost of policing to help him ramp up the crackdown on online sexual predators and county lines drugs gangs.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones says the rise – equivalent to the cost of a one-minute landline phone call – would also enable him to set up a new Economic Crime Unit to combat the growing number of fraud causes.

The proposed 4.5 per cent increase, believed to be the lowest in Wales, would cost Band D householders just an extra £12.51 a year.

Under the proposals, the force’s Major Crime Team would be beefed up with an extra 10 officers while more than 20 new ancillary police staff would be recruited to support the Commissioner’s plans to protect vulnerable people.

The frontline would be bolstered with 16 additional response officers while there would also be five more community safety officers, including three new officers for the pioneering Rural Crime Team.

Mr Jones will be seeking the backing of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel for the proposed increase at a meeting on Friday (January 31).

An on-line poll conducted by the Commissioner’s Office has found that almost three-quarters of respondents support an increase of 4.5 per cent or more.

The poll has also given a ringing endorsement of the Commissioner’s policing priorities with 95 per cent backing his war on organised crime gangs and the drive for safer neighbourhoods.

His campaigns against domestic and sexual abuse and criminal exploitation also attract over 90 per cent support while four out of every five responders also support his crusade against modern slavery.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: “I am pleased that we have again been able to deliver the lower percentage increase among the Welsh police forces while once again helping increase frontline policing.

“I am elected by the people of North Wales so it is also important that I listen to them and their concerns so it is also good to know that they approve of the policing priorities I have set out.

“I work with the Chief Constable and his senior team to ensure we are able to give him the tools to do the job and he has confirmed that this increase will provide the Force with the resources they need.

“I believe the proposed increase strikes a proper and prudent balance between affordability for council tax payers and making sure North Wales Police can continue to be an efficient and effective force making the region one of the safest places to live in the UK and protecting the vulnerable.”

The latest online survey also found that over 70 per cent had a positive view of North Wales Police’s performance and almost 80 per cent were in favour of the way the Commissioner has consulted with the public.

Mr Jones added: “The nature of policing has changed hugely and we are facing new and increasing challenges so the force must evolve and adapt accordingly.

“In spite of having to absorb the swingeing cuts we have faced over recent years, we are investing in our frontline, professionalising our frontline and making us fit for the future.”

Another successful chapter for library service

Denbighshire’s Library Service is one of the best performing in Wales, according to recent figures.

The service has been ranked the best in Wales for providing informal training for users, the number of Welsh books borrowed and for having the best reach for the summer reading challenge, according to figures published.  

A total of 2,918 children participated in the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge – a reach of 26.6% of the 4-12 year old population, the highest reach in Wales (Welsh average was 10.7%).

The figures also showed that Denbighshire was ranked fifth in Wales for the number of active borrowers, sixth for the number of virtual visits to libraries and attendances at events and eighth in Wales for physical visits. 

Each council is asked to provide information to the Welsh Government ‘s Museum and Libraries Division on their performance against set targets.   

The figures, being discussed by members of Denbighshire’s Performance Scrutiny on January 30, come hot on the heels of Denbighshire’s 2019-2022 Library Strategy, which sets out how the service is due to develop over the coming years.

A volunteering strategy was launched in the summer of 2019, and offers a range of specific volunteering opportunities for adults and young people in libraries, to enable them to develop their own skills, to gain work experience, or to give back to their local community. 

The roles include digital volunteer, events and activities volunteer, young volunteer, stock volunteer and local history volunteer. There are currently 19 volunteers active in our libraries.  The service works closely with Working Denbighshire to provide opportunities for their clients to gain work experience.

The service’s activity in the area of health and well-being continues to be a particular focus and has seen significant progress during the year. 

The Reading Well Books on Prescription: Mental Health scheme in Wales was launched in July 2019, and the service has maximised on the opportunity to reach in to health and social care services to raise awareness of both the Reading Well schemes and the contribution libraries make to health and wellbeing and community resilience. 

Working in close partnership with Public Health Wales, the service has given numerous presentations to key Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board services and teams. The outcome of this concerted effort is that libraries are now seen as key partners in the preventative agenda.

In partnership with Conwy Libraries and Age Connect, the service has recently been awarded funding from the Healthier Wales Transformation programme for mental health for a project to embed the Reading Well for mental health scheme into primary care practice, and to develop the skills of the Libraries workforce in providing services to people dealing with mental health issues, aligning with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s ICAN strategy of providing support within communities.

The service also secured funding from Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s Dementia Aware Denbighshire plan to create dementia memory packs for families and carers to borrow, working in partnership with TIDE and Denbighshire Arts Service. Denbigh Library hosted the North Wales launch of Boots pharmacies’ endorsement of the Reading Well Books on Prescription Dementia scheme.

The service continues to develop its range of engagement and social opportunities to encourage community cohesion and to tackle isolation and loneliness – these range from reading groups and creative craft sessions to family history clubs, rhyme times for families with young children and lego clubs for older children.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities, with responsibility for libraries, said: “The library service in Denbighshire has experienced a very positive chapter in its history.

“Our libraries are at the heart of the community and Denbighshire is bucking a national trend by investing in its facilities to modernise them and to transform them into community focal points for other council services."