Consumer
Electric police cars in the UK: exclusive survey plots forces’ EV uptake

Electric police cars in the UK: exclusive survey plots forces’ EV uptake
Some constabularies have embraced electric vehicles, while other haven’t any on their fleets
More traffic cops and better driving standards needed, motorists say

More traffic cops and better driving standards needed, motorists say
Only 13 per cent of people think the UK has good driving standards, survey reveals, with extra policing and harsher penalties wanted
“Electric car chargepoints step up to the accessibility challenge”

“Electric car chargepoints step up to the accessibility challenge”
After a successful Auto Express campaign, Chris Rosamond is pleased to see disabled EV drivers finally being taken into account
New public electric car charger accessibility standard launched

New public electric car charger accessibility standard launched
The new guidelines from the British Standards Institute are designed to improve charger access for less able EV drivers.
Over half a million uninsured cars seized since 2018

Over half a million uninsured cars seized since 2018
Official police data reveals 64,682 uninsured cars have been seized so far this year, plus many more in the previous four years
British road deaths remain at a consistent level

British road deaths remain at a consistent level
There were 1,558 reported fatalities on British roads in 2021, with the statistical rate of deaths remaining broadly stable
Extending a car lease? Beware of the warranty trap

Extending a car lease? Beware of the warranty trap
A shortage of new cars means many people are extending lease deals, but they could have to fix a car they don’t own if the warranty expires
Ora Funky Cat scores five stars in Euro NCAP test

Ora Funky Cat scores five stars in Euro NCAP test
The Chinese EV shone in the latest round of Euro NCAP rankings, while the Tesla Model Y set a new record
Policing roads by video is ‘open to abuse’

Policing roads by video is ‘open to abuse’
Auto Express investigation exposes mixed national standards and poor transparency in policing via video
Nearly three quarters of drivers have almost had a car crash

Nearly three quarters of drivers have almost had a car crash
Research shows 72 per cent of drivers have had a near-miss, while drivers also estimate that they see around 14 incidents of illegal driving every wee…
Fines not being enforced for drivers in red ‘X’ motorway lanes

Fines not being enforced for drivers in red ‘X’ motorway lanes
Police forces are failing to enforce red ‘X’ offences on smart motorways as effectively as first hoped, a Government minister has revealed
Car sales staff make or break a dealership

Car sales staff make or break a dealership
Survey reveals customers value good dealer staff over facilities, processes and pricing
Osprey subscribes to chargepoint accessibility assessment

Osprey subscribes to chargepoint accessibility assessment
Charging firm becomes first to co-operate with independent assessment of UK EV charging accessibility
London ULEZ expansion fails to lower emissions

London ULEZ expansion fails to lower emissions
Official data suggests the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone to the entirety of inner London has had no impact on emissions
Robot charging station provides hope for disabled EV drivers

Robot charging station provides hope for disabled EV drivers
New tech allows drivers to activate charging using a smartphone app from inside their cars
‘Frantic Friday’ fears as RAC predicts woeful weekend traffic on UK roads

‘Frantic Friday’ fears as RAC predicts woeful weekend traffic on UK roads
The end of term is set to spark the busiest school holiday getaway since 2014
Fuel filling stations did not pocket the 5p fuel duty cut, says new report

Fuel filling stations did not pocket the 5p fuel duty cut, says new report
The Competition Authority says most retailers have passed on Rishi Sunak’s duty cut to drivers, but prices remain a ‘cause for concern’
Stolen vehicle recovery rates plummet to 28% as insurers pay out £1.44bn 

Stolen vehicle recovery rates plummet to 28% as insurers pay out £1.44bn
Only 28 per cent of stolen vehicles in 2021 were recovered, down from 80% in 2006
Fuel protests hold up traffic in opposition to high prices

Fuel protests hold up traffic in opposition to high prices
Rolling roadblocks cause congestion on motorways around the country as drivers protest the high cost of fuel
Road Safety Investigations Branch announced by Department for Transport

Road Safety Investigations Branch announced by Department for Transport
A new independent body modelled on the Air, Marine and Rail Investigation Branches aims to cut UK road casualties
Rising electricity prices to cost car brands £90m in 2022

Rising electricity prices to cost car brands £90m in 2022
High energy prices are hurting car brands at a time when other costs are growing as a result of the switch to electric cars
New £160 fines for driving in cycle lanes

New £160 fines for driving in cycle lanes
Transport for London is the first local authority to begin issuing its own cycle lane fines under new rules. Others are set to follow.
Dangerous drivers who cause death could face life in prison

Dangerous drivers who cause death could face life in prison
A new law makes causing death by careless driving equivalent to manslaughter, with tougher potential sentencing
Mercedes recalls ML, GL and R-Class due to braking issue

Mercedes recalls ML, GL and R-Class due to braking issue
Mercedes says rust could cause affect the brake booster on three older models and has issued a recall
VW settles ‘class action’ over dieselgate for £193m

VW settles ‘class action’ over dieselgate for £193m
91,000 drivers - and lawyers - to share payout after Volkswagen opts to avoid court hearing
Tory no-show at ‘fair fuel prices’ debate sparked by 102k-signature petition

Tory no-show at ‘fair fuel prices’ debate sparked by 102k-signature petition
As the public calls for action, the treasury points to ‘savings’ from a 2010 fuel price escalator freeze
Full size remote control cars: would you take a ride?

Full size remote control cars: would you take a ride?
Imperium Drive is aiming to shake up the ride-hailing market with its remote-driving cars. We visited the company to find out about the plan and the t…
DVSA appeal: don’t tow without training

DVSA appeal: don’t tow without training
Drivers are being urged to get training for safety reasons - after the government scrapped compulsory trailer towing tests
15 Tesla Supercharger sites open to non-Tesla vehicles in the UK

15 Tesla Supercharger sites open to non-Tesla vehicles in the UK
Pilot scheme to open up Tesla-only charging network to all electric cars lands at selected UK locations
Speeding to be recorded as a cause of many more car accidents

Speeding to be recorded as a cause of many more car accidents
New police guidance for reporting will see a big rise in speeding recorded as a cause of car crashes
One in five UK cars has covered 100k miles or more

One in five UK cars has covered 100k miles or more
The average age of cars on UK roads has increased, with 80 per cent being between six and 10 years old
Bugs Away! Number plate spatter-count reveals shocking insect decline

Bugs Away! Number plate spatter-count reveals shocking insect decline
Bugs Matter project shows flying insect numbers have fallen by almost 60 per cent in 20 years
Draft electric car charger accessibility standard fails real-world test

Draft electric car charger accessibility standard fails real-world test
We call for changes to make the government-backed BSI chargepoint guidelines fit for purpose
Fossils fuels are the problem not combustion engines, experts say

Fossils fuels are the problem not combustion engines, experts say
Mechanical Engineering Industry Association criticises EU plan for phasing out of internal combustion engines in cars
Gap between electric car ownership and charging provision grows

Gap between electric car ownership and charging provision grows
Official figures reveal 29 per cent more electric vehicles were sold in March 2022 than new public chargers were installed
Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars under EU ruling

Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars under EU ruling
Concerns over “Big Brother in your cockpit” as speeding drivers could hear alarms or see engine power reduced