Motorists are facing a substantial 52% increase in the cost of car insurance, according to new Premium Drivers research from Compare the Market. The typical premium stands at £950 at the end of December 2023 after rising by £326 over the previous 12 months. The significant rise in the cost of car insurance may in part be due to a rise in the cost of claims for insurers. High inflation rates … [Read more...]
Next Government must invest in hydrogen fuel
The new government that the UK is likely to see in 2024 should be pressured by fleets to deliver a more effective hydrogen van strategy, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, said there was huge potential for hydrogen as a factor in future fleet zero emissions strategies for light commercial vehicles, and much more needed to be done to support its … [Read more...]
The dark side of headlight glare brings call for safety study
The RAC is calling on the Government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare after new research found 85% of those affected believe the problem is getting worse. An RAC survey of 2,000 drivers found a huge nine-in-10 (89%) think at least some headlights on cars on the road today are too bright, of which three-in-10 (28%) – a higher proportion than ever – think most … [Read more...]
Sell evs or pay penalties, makers and dealers told
Expect a big drive by dealers and manufacturers to sell electric models from today or face £15,000 fines for each model above statutory limits laid down by the Government. The rules mandating the minimum number of new pure electric cars and vans that have to be sold in the UK have come into force. From today, (Jan 3) at least 22% of new cars sold by carmakers have to be zero-emission and for new … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 January
China's biggest electric car maker in the world, BYD, announced the next stage of its European strategy with the construction of a massive manufacturing and production centre in Szeged, Hungary. The state-of-the-art facility will be the first of its kind built by a Chinese automotive company in Europe and will have a highly advanced car production line as it gradually ramps up manufacturing and … [Read more...]
Avoid a flat start to 2024, say RAC
The RAC is warning drivers to plan ahead to avoid an unwelcome post-holiday tradition: ‘the flat battery blues’. Typically, the first working day after the festive break is one of the busiest of the year for RAC breakdown patrols, due to thousands of cars being left idle over the holidays. Coupled with cold, damp weather, this period of inactivity drains car batteries and leaves thousands at risk … [Read more...]
Sarn Services slated for ev-charging cost
Sarn Park Services on the M4 north of Bridgend is the most expensive place to charge your electrci car or van, according to the latest national survey by DriveElectric, which has named the best and worst service stations to visit. The study, conducted by electric vehicle experts at DriveElectric, reviewed UK service stations to reveal the best, and worst for EV drivers. The top 10 service … [Read more...]
Road-charging concerns in North Wales
Cocern is mounting over future road charging in Wales and how it will affect ports which users might by-pass and instead use English or even foreign docks. Commenting on the North Wales Transport Commission’s final report and the report into Menai Strait transport links, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said, “While I welcome the Transport Commission’s … [Read more...]
Gaps in EV sector need plugging for businesses
Fleets are starting to enter a “tougher” period of electrification in 2024, the Association of Fleet Professionals is reporting. Paul Hollick, chair, said that a number of factors were combining to potentially slow the rate at which electric vehicles were being adopted by businesses and that fleet managers needed new strategies to maintain momentum. “When it comes to electrification, so far … [Read more...]
Public transport is failing Cardiff, says expert
Cardiff's very high levels of congestion is much more than an inconvenience for commuters – it is causing lasting harm to the city as a whole, according to Victoria Winckler, Director The Bevan Foundation. Commenting on a research paper by the Centre for Cities think tank, she said the underlying causes of traffic queues in Cardiff are different to other cities in Wales, the UK and Europe. The … [Read more...]