Wales is switching on to electric cars in a big way. Ultra low emission vehicles registrations across Wales shot up nearly 76% between July-September compared to the same time a year before. The Department for Transport’s figures show that at the end of September, 12,900 vehicles belonged to Welsh residents, up from 7,330 on July-September 2020. The data shows the pace of moving to electric … [Read more...]
Fleets fear petrol & diesel value collapse
Fears over the future residual values of internal combustion engine cars and vans are increasingly helping to drive fleet adoption of electric vehicles, FleetCheck is reporting. Andy Kirby, customer success director, said that worries were being expressed across its outright purchase user base that demand for used petrol and diesel vehicles might start to substantially fall in the second half of … [Read more...]
The coming of autonomous vehicles
Last year, the UK became the first country to allow self-driving cars on motorways at low speed, but the reality is still many years away for the country as a whole. The country is making incredible progress in the trials for autonomous vehicles and is funding innovative projects that will pave the way towards the transport revolution. Technological advancements in terms of AVs are at the … [Read more...]
EV handover now more important than ever
A thorough handover process is vital for the growing number of electric vehicles now reaching buyers, says Birmingham based national vehicle movement and inspection firm DMN Logistics. The continuing surge in electric vehicle (EV) demand, which has seen sales of new battery electric vehicles reach over a third of the market, is making the car handover an increasingly vital part of the vehicle … [Read more...]
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...]
Keeping Land Cruisers going
The legendary Land Cruiser 40 is the latest great Toyota to benefit from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Heritage Parts Project. TGR announced today that it is reproducing key discontinued components for the model, helping enthusiasts keep more of these mighty SUVs on the road. Around the world, the Land Cruiser 40 became symbolic of “go anywhere” performance, a tough and hugely capable 4×4 with a … [Read more...]
Welsh engineering company closes after 75 years
Allevard Springs will close its South Wales car components plant. About 60 jobs will go. The company moved to Tonypandy as part of the UK Government’s encouragement to boost jobs in South Wales following WW2 and it started production in 1947 for Land Rover. Work expanded and it was a significant supplier to car and light commercial vehicles over the next 70 years but the contraction in vehicle … [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...]