Wales needs a future-proof transport system to face up to the realities of climate change, but ambitious policies have yet to be matched in the scale and pace of delivery, reports the Institute of Welsh Affairs. A new report from the IWA says that Welsh Government is faced with a complex set of challenges, including encouraging take-up of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, … [Read more...]
Features
Zero Servicing suggestion is non-starter, says FleetCheck
Working towards towards “zero servicing” – with vehicles never having to visit workshops unless a fault was detected – presents huge dangers for vehicle operators, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director, was responding to recent news that Tesla is recruiting staff for a project called “Zero Service” under the banner, “At Tesla, we believe that the best service is no service.” He went … [Read more...]
Wales trails by a long way in EV charging
Manchester topped the electric vehicle home charger installation charts during 2023 according to data from home EV charge point installers Smart Home Charge. The West Midlands was a close second with South West London in third place, whilst Northern Ireland had the lowest percentage of home EV chargers installed – just 0.11% of the overall total and in South Wales, just 1.69% of motorists have … [Read more...]
Classic Morgan Plus Four reimagined for future
The new reimagined Morgan Plus Four is now unveiled. While retaining its hand-built British bespoke pedigree with proven BMW powertrain it has undergone extensive revisions to its chassis and suspension to improve ride and handling, together with equipment upgrades and is now backed with a three-years warranty and prices begin at £62,500. The design intent for new Plus Four has been to … [Read more...]
Motorway breakdowns need new strategy, says RAC
A year after banning future 'smart motorways' it is time to develop a clear policy for dealing with breakdowns, says the RAC. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, “It’s incredible to think that a decade has gone by since the first all-lane-running stretch of smart motorway opened on the M25 in Hertfordshire, and that it’s a year to the day since the Prime Minister cancelled all 14 future … [Read more...]
Pollen count rising, so’s danger for drivers
Air conditioning may be bad for your health in a car or van. This week the Met Office reveals that pollen levels will be high across all of England from until Saturday 13 as temperatures creep up to 20c in some areas. According to the Met Office, tree pollen affects around 1 in 4 people, and is most common from late March to mid-May. This is followed by the more commonly known grass pollen, … [Read more...]
Bigger vehicles should pay more to park, pollsters told
Six out of 10 people believe that drivers of 4x4s and other large cars should pay more to park in city centres, according to research. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 37% say such vehicles are too big for city streets and the same percentage that they are too polluting. And just over a fifth (22%) think that charging more money will help to dissuade drivers from bringing these … [Read more...]
Van sales soar but drive must be with EVs
Following the best February performance in 26 years experienced by the new light commercial van market, it is positive to see that the market has continued this trend with another month of growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association commenting on the latest SMMT’s new van registration figures. "March witnessed a significant surge in fleet renewal … [Read more...]
Call for end to hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are an expensive farce rather than a stepping stone to electrified transportation, says the director of a charging point company. "Hybrid vehicles are undermining the important environment work to electrify the UK transport network," says Jack Parsler, Development Director of nationwide electric vehicle charge point installer Crystal EV. "Hybrid vehicles were heralded … [Read more...]
Golden anniversary of Mitsubishi in Britain
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is celebrating its 50th year of trading in 2024 and is marking the anniversary with a calendar of events to honour the brand and its heritage. The 50th anniversary year kicked off in February at the annual Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Aftersales Conference. The event brought together all 110 Mitsubishi aftersales dealers across the UK, with special recognition going to … [Read more...]