New rules that came into force on 1 January 2024 require that at least 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in the UK must be zero emission compliant by 2030. Manufacturers who fail to sell a high enough percentage of zero emissions vehicles face a fine of £15,000 for every non-compliant vehicle they sell over the permitted percentage.
Car theft is on the rise. In an age of heightened awareness of online security risks and scam callers, we still seem to forget to keep our real-world possessions safe from crooks. Figures released by DVLA in response to a Freedom of Information request show not only an increase in car theft, but also which cars are stolen most often
We complain about the price of cars, we complain about the cost of fuel and of insurance but there are even more expenses involved in owning a car. Car maintenance, servicing and repairs are another inescapable financial burden: if you scrimp on one, you could end up paying more for the other. We've collected some great tips on how to avoid paying more than you need to for your car maintenance, services, MOTs and repairs.
The battery is the heart of any electric vehicle. It is also at the heart of many of the challenges facing EVs, as the world's governments try to navigate a route to emissions-free driving. The battery accounts for an astonishing 40-60% of the cost of each vehicle. Batteries are expensive to make and, as they are very heavy, they are also expensive to transport.
Smart motorways have been controversial ever since their inception in 2006. The original intentions of improving journey times, reducing emissions and increasing effective road capacity were universally supported. Unfortunately, safety concerns soon dampened public enthusiasm and in April 2023 the government announced that no new smart motorways would be completed.