Hatchbacks are the most popular cars among drivers in 2021, with over a third of motorists saying a hatchback will be their vehicle of choice if they buy this year, said AA Cars. At a time of surging demand in the used car market, partly caused by the supply of new vehicles being restricted due to microchip shortages, hatchbacks remain enduringly popular and are the first choice of 35% of … [Read more...]
New range anxiety – for petrol & diesel cars
With new car registrations at their lowest since 1999 and the fuel crisis showing no sign of slowing data from New AutoMotive that shows “range anxiety” is becoming a thing of the past for electric vehicle drives with the number of charging points across the UK increasing by 32%, from 18,265 in July 2020 to 24,374 in July 2021 - an increase of 6,000. Sales in September show the only segment of … [Read more...]
Fuel shortages drying up car sales, says finance company
The ongoing fuel crisis is detering new car buyers, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance. A fifth (20%) of the UK public admit the fuel shortage up and down the country has put them off buying a new car. The research, which examined the impact of the national fuel shortage on car buying, found that well over a quarter (27%) say the crisis has made them think about purchasing an … [Read more...]
EVs cheaper to insure than petrol or diesel cars
GoCompare car insurance data shows Electric Vehicles are now cheaper to insure than petrol or diesel cars. The average cost of insuring an electric car in July 2021 was £484, compared with £489 for a petrol vehicle and £534 for a diesel car. The average cost of insuring electric vehicles has also seen a steady decrease since 2019 – with a £65 drop in average costs from the first six months … [Read more...]
Young drivers pass on manual gearboxes
The ‘green agenda’ is radically influencing driving attitudes of young people aged 17-24, reports IAM RoadSmart. The ban of new petrol and diesel vehicle sales from 2030 and the absence of manual gearboxes in electric vehicles has prompted 61% of the 1,000 young drivers to tell the road safety charity that they plan to apply for an automatic-only driving licence. The green … [Read more...]
Battery cars and a new way of trip planning
The growing number of pure-electric vehicles needs a rethink about how you drive for work, at weekends or on holidays. With restrictions eased and travel bans lifting, now could be a great time to plan a road trip. But you need to carefully think about what it means if you drive a battery electric vehicle. Experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk are warning drivers about important things to … [Read more...]
Under age and driving – legally
A 12 and a 14 year old from Wales have made the final of a national driving competition – despite not being old enough to hold a driving licence. Jenson Jones, 12, from Clydach Vale, Tonypandy and Cameron Redwood, 14, from Llandough, Penarth have both been awarded a place in the final of the Young Driver Challenge 2021, having beaten off stiff competition from hundreds of other entries. The … [Read more...]
Queues for MoT deferred tests
The country is expected to see a surge in MOT bookings this month. According to the AA, up to 5.5 million cars deferred their test last year due to the relaxation in rules caused by nationwide lockdowns. If you’re caught without a valid MOT certificate, you can be landed with a £1,000 fine. Motoring leasing company Vehicle Contracts explains the four simple checks that motorists can carry … [Read more...]
£1.8M Ford legacy fund sparks new Welsh investment
A new £1.8m fund to encourage businesses to move beyond manufacturing internal combustion engines to producing low carbon vehicle technologies, helping to stimulate innovative economic growth in Wales, is being established by Ford and the Welsh Government. The Ford Low Carbon Vehicle Transition Fund, administered by the Welsh Government as part of Ford’s legacy in Wales after … [Read more...]
Welsh Tories oppose M4 and A470 tolls plan
Welsh Labour Government plans for road tolls on two of the busiest arterial roads have been attacked by opposition Conservatives. Welsh Conservatives have branded the Welsh Government’s hare-brained idea of putting tolls on the M4 and A470 as “utterly ridiculous” and urged them to go back to the drawing board. The Welsh Government is exploring the idea of charging motorists who drive older cars … [Read more...]