UK Automotive remains committed to the goal of zero emission transport, and will continue to massively invest in the full range of technologies and products, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Responding to the government’s Road to Zero Strategy, the industry said it supports the UK’s ambitions but huge challenges around consumer demand as well as refuelling and … [Read more...]
Technology brakes are failing road safety casualties
The EU looks set to fail on reaching its targets to halve the numbers of those killed in road crashes by the end of the decade, with the UK one of several countries currently making no major progress into cutting the numbers of people killed on our roads, IAM RoadSmart has discovered. In its report this week ‘Ranking EU Progress on Road Safety’ the European Transport Safety Council noted there … [Read more...]
Pressure on Welsh Government to speed up green drive
New homes in England will have to be equipped with electric car charging points under Government proposals. It also wants commercial premises and offices to get them as well as some new street lamps in certain areas to encourage the switch from petrol and diesel models under previously announced plans to phase them out in favour of hybrids by 2040. The announcement today will put pressure … [Read more...]
EU has unrealistic goals for EVs, say car makers
Ahead of next week’s European Parliament votes on future CO2 targets for cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says the severe lack and unbalanced distribution of charging points is putting off consumers buying electric cars. A new study provides a much-needed reality check for the Parliament, showing that the CO2 targets proposed by some MEPs are simply … [Read more...]
Car makers’ concern ‘green drive’ is too ambitious
A study by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says affordability of electric cars remains a strong deterrent for customers across the EU. The analysis, which compares national data on the market uptake of electrically-chargeable vehicles (ECVs) with GDP per capita, shows that the market share of ECVs is close to 0% in countries with a GDP below €18,000, while it is no more than … [Read more...]
Fuel for thought when you buy a new model this autumn
From September 2018 all new cars registered in Europe, India, South Korea and Japan will have to report their official fuel economy and CO2 figures according to the WLTP, says David Miles. This acronym means Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure and in Europe it replaces the outdated New European Driving Cycle test introduced in the 1980’s. The new WLTP method is supposed to … [Read more...]
Roads without cones, the future is flowing
There’s a quiet revolution going on in world of road maintenance. The sight of miles of traffic cones on the motorway could become a thing of the past, thanks to a host of innovations that fix the road without any lane closures. Traffex Seeing Is Believing at Bruntingthorpe, next week is the only event of its kind which allows high-speed crash demos and outdoor showcasing for live road … [Read more...]
Autolink 2018 looks at challenges down the road
Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates will this morning highlight the achievements and issues faced by the automotive sector in Wales during his keynote speech at this year’s Autolink event. Organised by the Welsh Automotive Forum and supported by Welsh Government, this is the premium automotive business to business event in Wales. Hosted in the Cardiff City Stadium, Autolink 2018 will bring together … [Read more...]
What to expect in three years – and 30 years
AXA Insurance and Burges Salmon have published the third and final Venturer report, creating the blueprint for bringing driverless cars to the UK’s roads by 2021. After just three years, Venturer has not only created a realistic environment where driverless simulations can be tested, but also provided suggestions for new legislation on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). These are now … [Read more...]
New ‘steam-age’ opportunity in Wales
A new steam-age of "clean" hydrogen-powered trains has been suggested for the forthcoming Wales and Borders services, a Plaid Cymru AM has said. Simon Thomas made the call off the back of research he commissioned on the potential to developing hydrogen infrastructure for transport in Wales. Hydrogen-fuelled trains emit osteam and condensed water and are ideal for both urban and long-distance … [Read more...]