A police HGV has been brought in to catch drivers in Wales on mobile phones, dangerous driving or not wearing seatbelts. The de-restricted tractor unit gives a better view of drivers in cars, buses and commercial vehicles and has been used by English forces for three years. The severe wintery weather saw Welsh councils spend over £2.38 M on gritting and salting. Extra materials, equipment … [Read more...]
Warning over Cardiff congestion charging plan
As Cardiff resurrects congestion charging plans amid protests from car users, a leading environmental body has called for massive investment in public transport and electric charging points as well as greater encouragement to scrap older, non-classic cars. Cardiff has returned to the congestion charge proposal and re-issued a discussion document with 18 scenarios, and awaits public consultation … [Read more...]
Fleets slow to realise emissions changes affect
Many fleets are “slow to recognise the implications” of the arrival of the new EU fuel consumption and emissions test, says Arval. The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) replaces the outgoing New European Driving Cycle and is designed to provide results that are much closer to real world figures. Experts believe it will result in official MPG and CO2 figures rising by … [Read more...]
Triple trouble faces car makers at Geneva show
Industry executives meeting at the Geneva motor show this week face testing choices to re-engineer existing vehicles at huge expense, restrict sales of some profitable models, or risk hundreds of millions of euros in penalties. While diesels produce more toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates than gasoline engines, their efficiency has been instrumental in cutting greenhouse gases. As … [Read more...]
Britain plans gaol terms in emissions fraud
It will be made a criminal offence in Britain to attempt to manipulate vehicle emission test results. In a tougher stance than current EU rules dictate, the UK Government could levy unlimited fines on businesses and even jail engineers and company executives found to be cheating tests. The measures have been put to public consultation and are aimed at preventing a repeat of the Volkswagen … [Read more...]
Suppliers call for reasoned debate on future laws
Car components' makers have called for a reasoned debate over future technology, legislation and implementation. The car supplier industry say technology neutrality has been the guiding principle for emission legislation in the transport sector. The EU has continually led the world with respect to automotive CO2 reductions, enabled by European suppliers and manufacturers constantly … [Read more...]
Petrol v diesel choice is down to real need
Automotive data and valuation expert hpi has compiled a car market analysis for motorists who are faced with making the decision of whether to choose a petrol or diesel car. There is no right or wrong answer when choosing a petrol or diesel car. With so many variables across the whole vehicle sector ranging from the class of vehicle to driver usage having an impact on values, some options will … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 Dec
Engineers and councillors will consider installing average speed cameras along the 20 miles Evo Triangle in north west Wales The undulating and twisting roads are popular with drivers who want to test their cars on the circuit and follow the tyre tracks of motoring journalists but four people have died and 20 have been hurt there in the past five years. More than 2,000 drivers had an … [Read more...]
Budget battering for diesels
Diesel cars are in for a battering after the Budget. New diesel cars that do not meet latest emissions standards will face a one-off tax increase each April which will last until 2021 when most are expected to be replaced with the latest technology. Affected models will be those which fail Real Driving Emissions Step 2 standards on emissions and that means most new diesels would be subject … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 November
Dyfed-Powis Police tested 1,600 fewer motorists in summertime breath tests. But its targetted approach based on intelligence gathering resulted in a rise to 5.9% positive results of the 4,600 done, about half the number administered in 2016, while Gwent Police found 39% were positive. Transport is Europe’s biggest polluter, says an environmental group. But its not only road vehicles which … [Read more...]