Rally cars powered by agricultural waste have claimed second and fourth place in Dakar 2022 and saved 28 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the process. Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) was the first major motorsport team to compete with a new generation of advanced sustainable fuels. Claiming second place was the Prodrive Hunter driven by nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb and Fabian Lurquin, … [Read more...]
Education
Search for young person with skills in past for the future
The National Transport Trust promotes and encourages the preservation and restoration of Britain's transport heritage in all its forms - road, rail, wings and water, and is looking for a young champion. One of the particular aims of the Trust is to encourage the next generation, not just restorers but volunteers, apprentices and participants in the Heritage Transport movement. Each year the … [Read more...]
Sustainable fuels offer a breathing space
Sustainable fuels would provide a breathing space until full electrification and a charging network throughout the UK is working. That's the view of Coryton blended hydrocarbon fuels. Few deny that electric vehicles run on renewable energy and produced in an environmentally and socially conscious way is the ultimate goal that road transportation needs to aim for – but it’s not a quick … [Read more...]
Mid-sized vans face new EU examination for operators
New regulations that bring smaller light commercial vehicles travelling to the EU under the requirement to have an International Operator’s Licence will place key demands on fleets in the future, says FleetCheck. The fleet software company reports that, from 2 May, all organisations running LCVs of between 2.5-3.5 tonnes will need to obtain the accreditation as part of the UK-EU Trade and … [Read more...]
Seven ways to slash car insurance
The fastest rise in the cost of living for a decade is going to put more pressure on hard-pressed families this year, so saving money on day-to-day expenses is all the more important. Fortunately, when it comes to motoring insurance there are straightforward ways to keep costs down. Car insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk offers some handy tips to save the pounds: Check your … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 January
The RAC’s patrols attended over 10,000 pothole-related breakdowns last year – the equivalent of 27 every single day and the highest annual total since 2018, new figures show. The breakdown company’s individual members experienced a total of 10,123 breakdowns for broken suspension springs, distorted wheels and damaged shock absorbers through last year, 10% more than in 2019 (9,198) and 19% more … [Read more...]
Brakes go on smart motorways, for now
No more smart motorways will be built for now amid safety concerns but current sections will not be returned to hard shoulders. Using the hard shoulder as a permanent live traffic lane increases capacity, but critics say it's unsafe and has led to deaths. Five years of safety and economic data for the schemes will be collected from the motorways built before … [Read more...]
Mechanics and testers’ shortages hitting motor trade
A Motor Ombudsman poll of garages and workshops accredited to the body’s Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, has revealed that recruiting a sufficient number of mechanics and MOT testers to meet consumer demand was the most significant concern for 67% of respondents when questioned about the main challenges encountered during 2021. The research conducted by the … [Read more...]
Learners still let down by Government testing system
The pressures around learning to drive and passing a driving test will continue into 2022. According to a survey of 150 driving instructors from across the country undertaken by Young Driver, 70 per cent say they still have a waiting list for starting lessons – with 39 per cent of those admitting pupils are in for a long wait before they can begin learning. Sixty six per cent of the … [Read more...]
The safest cars you can buy
Euro NCAP kicks off the start of a new year of car safety testing by recognizing the top performers of last year and the winners of the 2021 Best in Class awards. Euro NCAP tested 33 new cars in 2021, of which 22 achieved the top 5-star rating with Skoda finishing holding two top awards, more than any other car maker. Among the successes, the Mercedes-EQ EQS emerged as best in the “Executive … [Read more...]