Author Archive: Administrator

Since we started the EV RESCUES series, we’ve seen a lot of interest in the Maeving RM1. It’s easy to see why—with its 1920s board-tracker styling and British engineering, it’s one of the most distinctive bikes on the road. After successfully rescuing this 2023 model in our workshop, we took it out through the streets of Durham to see if the reality lives up to the retro-cool aesthetic.

This specific RM1 arrived as a non-runner, but as is often the case with EVs, the faults were more “ghosts in the machine” than mechanical failures.

• The Fix: We replaced the 12V auxiliary battery and repaired both the kickstand and battery [...]

A modern classic that combines timeless British design with simple, practical electric motoring.

This example is a single battery model, offering a real-world range of up to approximately 40 miles depending on riding style and conditions. The removable battery can be easily taken indoors and charged using a standard household socket, making ownership simple and convenient with no need for dedicated charging infrastructure.

Powered by a Bosch rear hub motor, the RM1 delivers smooth, quiet acceleration with no gears or clutch, making it an ideal choice for both new and experienced riders. With a top speed of around 45mph, it is perfectly suited to town and city use and can be ridden on a CBT licence.

The bike retains its classic styling with a steel cradle frame, twin rear shocks, and high-quality finishes throughout, giving it a distinctive presence that stands out from typical electric scooters.

• [...]

What would you do if you saw a 2023 electric motorcycle listed for a fraction of its retail price at a salvage auction? Most people would see a “Non-Runner” label and walk away, fearing a four-figure battery replacement. But here at Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, we see an opportunity for a rescue.

In the debut episode of our new series, EV RESCUES, we headed to Peterlee to pick up a Maeving RM1 that the previous owner had given up on.

The Maeving RM1 is a beautiful, British-built piece of engineering, but like any EV, it’s only as good as its electrical health. When this bike hit the auction block, it was a total mystery. With [...]

Clear, structured diagnosis for EV electrical and mechanical faults

At Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, diagnosing faults is a structured process designed to identify the root cause of a problem — not guesswork.

This applies to both electronic faults and mechanical issues, including warning lights, charging faults, suspension noises, brake noises, steering concerns, and other faults that require investigation.

Modern vehicles are increasingly complex, and accurate diagnosis takes technician time, specialist equipment, technical research, and experience. For that reason, all time spent investigating a fault is chargeable as diagnostic labour.

When you contact us with a fault that requires investigation, we will explain that the vehicle needs to be booked in for an initial diagnostic session.

This initial diagnostic session is charged as a minimum of 1 hour, even [...]

• 106000 miles
• Battery State of Health (SOH): TBC
• Battery Health Bars TBC
• Range: 80-90 miles approx estimated (we will test)
• MoT due 05.02.2027
• Owners TBC
• Keys min 1
• Charging cables included: TBC

CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A BATTERY REFURBISHMENT – replacing degraded modules.

Service History

TBC

Condition

TBC but nothing looks bad on initial inspection

Features

Feature –

• 16inch alloys
• Cloth interior
• Reversing camera system
• FM Radio / CD
• Built in touchscreen infotainment system including sat nav
• Climate control AC system
• Heat pump to maximise efficiency during cold weather

Brochure

Click the link below for the 2017 NISSAN LEAF Brochure (Same as 2016)

Click here

• Mileage: 78000
• Owners: 4
• Battery State of Health: 10/12 bars 78.99 % State of health
• Keys: 2
• Mot Due: Car will come with a new MoT
• Charge Cables:  both 3 pin triple charge and fast charge cable included
• Tax cost per year: £20

Condition

Good overall condition – please see pictures and walk around video for more detail

Service History

Full Service History

We will carry out a comprehensive service and refurbish all items required

Brochure

Click the link below for the 2015(same as 2014) NISSAN LEAF Brochure

Nissan_Leaf_UK

• Mileage: 91500
• Owners: 4
• Battery State of Health: 10/12 bars 78.04% State of health
• Keys: 1
• Mot Due: Car will come with a new MoT
• Charge Cables:  3 Pin Plug Trickle charger
• Tax cost per year: £20

Car has rare upgrades (from Visia spec) of –

• 6.6kw charger (3kw is standard)
• Upgraded CD/Stero with Sat Nav
• Alloy wheels 

Condition

Good overall condition – please see photos and walk around video for full detail.

Service History

No documented service history with the vehicle

We will carry out a comprehensive service and refurbish all items that the car failed its MoT on recently.

This work will include –

• Refurbishing the rear parking brake mechanisms
• Fitting two new front suspension arms
• Anything else required

Brochure

Click the link below for the 2015(same as 2014) NISSAN LEAF Brochure

Nissan_Leaf_UK

• Mileage: 50000
• Owners: 1
• Battery State of Health: 11/12 bars 83.79% State of health
• Keys: 1
• Mot Due: 09.02.27
• Charge Cables:  fast charge cable – 3 pin plug charge cable available at extra cost (Approx £250)

Car has very rare upgrades of heated seats front and rear & 6.6kw charger (3kw is standard)

Condition

The vehicle has some marks – please see the photos & Video for detail

• Dented drivers side front wing (paint not broken)
• Scuffs and marks on the rear bumper

Service History

No documented service history with the vehicle

We have carried out a comprehensive service and refurbished all items that the car failed its MoT on recently.

This work includes –

• Repairing corrosion on both rear sills, replacing metalwork and respraying
• Replacing both front suspension areas and required drop link
• Servicing both front and rear brakes – replacing front and rear pads and one rear handbrake [...]

I recently watched a brilliant video from Autocar, where one of their writers sets out to answer a deceptively simple question:

Can an old diesel car really average 100 miles per gallon in the real world?

The car is an Audi A2 1.4 TDI, and the result is genuinely impressive.

If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s well worth a watch:

👉 https://youtu.be/q1YmIpCEym8

What I liked most about it is how honest it is. This isn’t a laboratory test or a steady motorway crawl — it’s real UK driving, with towns, dual carriageways, motorways, rain, traffic, and compromises.

Watching it made me wonder something slightly different:

If a car can do 100 mpg, how much does that actually cost — and could an electric car cover the same distance for less?

One thing the Autocar video makes [...]