Consumer news
EU threatens Chinese electric car tariffs of almost 50 per cent
EU threatens Chinese electric car tariffs of almost 50 per cent
New tariffs would be imposed on top of pre-existing duties in an aim to override “unfair” subsidies by the Chinese government
12 Jun 2024
Labour to fix one million potholes per year under new ‘Plan for Drivers’
Labour to fix one million potholes per year under new ‘Plan for Drivers’
Labour’s bid for the motorists’ vote includes funding for potholes, an investigation into unfair car insurance practices and a reform for road buildin…
12 Jun 2024
What are the Tories going to do for us? Pay-per-mile road tax ban in 2024 Conservative manifesto
What are the Tories going to do for us? Pay-per-mile road tax ban in 2024 Conservative manifesto
Conservative Party election manifesto pledges to address multiple issues facing drivers, including rules surrounding tax and the standard of our roads
11 Jun 2024
Voluntary accessibility standard for electric car chargers is failing, new data shows
Voluntary accessibility standard for electric car chargers is failing, new data shows
According to data from Vauxhall, only 2.3 per cent of on-street EV chargers accommodate disabled drivers
10 Jun 2024
Reinstate EV grant and cut VAT on public charging, say Lib Dems
Reinstate EV grant and cut VAT on public charging, say Lib Dems
A £600 million investment proposed in the Liberal Democrat manifesto aims to bolster EV charging network and reduce the cost of charging, fuel and ins…
10 Jun 2024
‘Car cannibalism’ on the rise: criminals strip cars for parts in public, confident police won’t show
‘Car cannibalism’ on the rise: criminals strip cars for parts in public, confident police won’t show
Cars parked on the street are increasingly being targeted for hard to find parts, as police response proves ineffectual
10 Jun 2024
Tories pledge to scrap ULEZ extension and ban pay-per-mile taxes for drivers
Tories pledge to scrap ULEZ extension and ban pay-per-mile taxes for drivers
The Conservatives’ ‘Backing Drivers Bill’ will ban road pricing, force local referendums on 20mph schemes, and scrap ULEZ extension
10 Jun 2024
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New EV battery passport reveals environmental impact of electric cars
New EV battery passport reveals environmental impact of electric cars
Battery passports will become a legal requirement on all EVs in 2027, providing a breakdown of what impact manufacturing the car has had on the enviro…
7 Jun 2024
Big electric car discounts are “unsustainable” as private sales fall again
Big electric car discounts are “unsustainable” as private sales fall again
The car industry pushes for VAT reductions on EV sales and charging after the general election, to help meet ZEV Mandate requirements
5 Jun 2024
Illegal car parkers beware: the wheel clamp has evolved… into the Barnacle
Illegal car parkers beware: the wheel clamp has evolved… into the Barnacle
New device could replace the old fashioned wheel clamp… unless you have a Ferrari Monza SP1
5 Jun 2024
Lower UK energy price cap brings cheaper EV charging
Lower UK energy price cap brings cheaper EV charging
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced the energy price cap which shall stay in place until September, unlocking lower home charging prices for EV owner…
24 May 2024
When is a pothole not a pothole? Inconsistent council repair policies make bad situation worse
When is a pothole not a pothole? Inconsistent council repair policies make bad situation worse
A new TV documentary shows how different councils operate on different parameters when it comes to deciding whether to fix a pothole
22 May 2024
UK self-driving car “revolution” incoming: new law allows autonomous vehicles by 2026
UK self-driving car “revolution” incoming: new law allows autonomous vehicles by 2026
A new law is set to bring self-driving cars to UK roads in two years and puts responsibility in the hands of manufacturers if there is an accident
20 May 2024
New EV grant brings £5k electric car discount… but only if you’re an Uber driver
New EV grant brings £5k electric car discount… but only if you’re an Uber driver
Uber drivers in London can now save up to £22,000 off the price of a new EV as part of the firm’s push for electrification
20 May 2024
Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app
Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app
Octopus’ ‘Plunge Pricing’ events promise to save electric car drivers an average of £6.50 per charge
17 May 2024
UK faces “epidemic” of young uninsured drivers
UK faces “epidemic” of young uninsured drivers
The number of young people convicted of driving without insurance has tripled since 2021, due to sky-rocketing premiums
17 May 2024
Cyclists to face ‘dangerous riding’ penalties like those for dangerous driving motorists
Cyclists to face ‘dangerous riding’ penalties like those for dangerous driving motorists
New laws will target dangerous cyclists who seriously injure or kill, Government says
16 May 2024
Greedy fuel retailers double diesel profit margins instead of cutting prices
Greedy fuel retailers double diesel profit margins instead of cutting prices
The RAC has lobbied the UK energy secretary for action as new figures suggest drivers are still being overcharged
15 May 2024
New tech to crack down on drivers using ‘stealth plates’ to avoid fines
New tech to crack down on drivers using ‘stealth plates’ to avoid fines
Estimates suggest as many as one in 15 drivers are fitting their cars with number plates boasting anti-ANPR technology
14 May 2024
M25 shut again this weekend: all the details to avoid ‘carmageddon’
M25 shut again this weekend: all the details to avoid ‘carmageddon’
The M25 will be closed from 9pm on Friday until 6am Monday morning, with National Highways predicting “long delays”
10 May 2024
'It's OK to drive high', young drivers express relaxed view on drug driving
'It's OK to drive high', young drivers express relaxed view on drug driving
22 per cent of young drivers think it's ok to drive high, while almost one-third of motorists believe that driving after taking prescription drugs pos…
10 May 2024
New graduated driving licence bill aims to tackle “overconfident young motorists”
New graduated driving licence bill aims to tackle “overconfident young motorists”
Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater has introduced a new law to Parliament which could impose restrictions on new drivers
9 May 2024
Last chance: have your say on ‘unfair’ PCNs and traffic fines before government consultation ends
Last chance: have your say on ‘unfair’ PCNs and traffic fines before government consultation ends
Motorists can submit their concerns and evidence via the gov.uk website as part of the DfT’s investigation into councils profiteering from fines
8 May 2024
Urgent action needed to “re-enthuse” private EV buyers, say car makers
Urgent action needed to “re-enthuse” private EV buyers, say car makers
The proportion of EVs sold to private buyers in April slumped 22 per cent compared to April 2023, as EV fleet sales motor ahead
7 May 2024
AI drives major rise in car insurance fraud as criminals fake evidence
AI drives major rise in car insurance fraud as criminals fake evidence
Finance firm, Allianz, has found that the number of fraudulent insurance cases regarding doctored photos and video has trebled in the last year
3 May 2024
More 20mph speed limits in Glasgow despite UK Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’
More 20mph speed limits in Glasgow despite UK Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’
Almost 4,000 additional streets in Glasgow will get a 20mph speed limit, with introductions set to be phased
2 May 2024
UK new car buyers love a Mercedes-Benz but Ford is favourite when used
UK new car buyers love a Mercedes-Benz but Ford is favourite when used
Data from YouGov’s BrandIndex shows that Mercedes-Benz is a top choice with new car buyers, with used buyers favouring Ford
2 May 2024
On-street Electric Vehicle charging slips off the political agenda for 2 May polls
On-street Electric Vehicle charging slips off the political agenda for 2 May polls
Voters rate council support for EV owners poorly, but election candidates aren’t addressing the issue
1 May 2024
UK diesel car market to be “decimated” in 4 years, due to EV laws
UK diesel car market to be “decimated” in 4 years, due to EV laws
Diesel car market share will fall to as little as three per cent in the next four years due to the “legislative direction” around zero-emissions vehic…
29 Apr 2024
Stable charging costs make EVs look cheaper as petrol prices rise
Stable charging costs make EVs look cheaper as petrol prices rise
The cost of EV charging has remained consistent in the last month, despite surging prices of petrol and diesel.
29 Apr 2024
What is a smart motorway? Speed cameras, safety concerns and hard shoulder use explained
What is a smart motorway? Speed cameras, safety concerns and hard shoulder use explained
Smart motorways are meant to be a cost-effective way of increasing road capacity, but how do you use them and how safe are they?
27 Apr 2024
New Private Parking Code of Practice to enforce grace period for parking fines
New Private Parking Code of Practice to enforce grace period for parking fines
The British Parking Association has announced that it will implement a new Code of Practice for private car parks later this year, with changes to boo…
26 Apr 2024
Record complaints about car repairers blamed on cost-of-living crisis by garage watchdog
Record complaints about car repairers blamed on cost-of-living crisis by garage watchdog
The Motor Ombudsman has recorded its highest quarterly number of complaints about garage repairs, with rising financial pressures cited as the driving…
23 Apr 2024
Faulty smart motorway tech putting drivers in danger
Faulty smart motorway tech putting drivers in danger
BBC’s Panorama finds smart motorway tech is putting drivers at risk every day, with 397 power outages in last two years
22 Apr 2024