Consumer
Green number plates explained: about the UK’s electric car registration plates

Green number plates explained: about the UK’s electric car registration plates
In the UK, zero-emissions vehicles can display a green flash on their numberplates. Here’s how it works…
New car delivery times 2023: how long will you have to wait? 

New car delivery times 2023: how long will you have to wait?
No one likes having to wait for their new car so we called key manufacturers to get their latest UK lead times
Corrosion warranty: reader slams ‘unfair’ claim refusal

Corrosion warranty: reader slams ‘unfair’ claim refusal
Exclusive investigation highlights the importance keeping anti-corrosion warranties up to date
Electric vehicle breakdowns: we go on EV patrol with the RAC

Electric vehicle breakdowns: we go on EV patrol with the RAC
We join the RAC to find out how its patrols are adapting to the brave new world of electric vehicles with the latest technology designed to get strand…
Illegal number plates: UK rules on font, spacing and fines

Illegal number plates: UK rules on font, spacing and fines
Car number plates are a subject to a series of regulations to ensure they can be read. Here’s how to avoid driving with illegal plates and getting a f…
New pay-per-mile tax for electric cars proposed

New pay-per-mile tax for electric cars proposed
A report from a right-wing ‘think tank’ aims to tackle congestion, pollution and the looming ‘black hole’ in government fuel duty revenues
What are the Euro 7 emissions standards?

What are the Euro 7 emissions standards?
Euro 7 is big news for the car industry and is more relevant for consumers than you might think, here’s why…
Do you know your APR from your elbow? 90% don’t understand car finance

Do you know your APR from your elbow? 90% don’t understand car finance
Only one in ten drivers can work out the cost of their car loans with APRs and PCPs causing widespread confusion
Used electric cars look tempting after big depreciation hit

Used electric cars look tempting after big depreciation hit
Faster depreciation means used EV deals may look tempting next to more expensive hybrid and petrol rivals
First self-driving buses enter service on UK roads

First self-driving buses enter service on UK roads
Stagecoach launches the UK’s first autonomous bus service across the Forth Road Bridge
Law change allows longer lorries on British roads

Law change allows longer lorries on British roads
Government points to CO2 savings and an economy boost as reasons for allowing longer lorries, but cyclists and others have safety concerns
Used car prices remain stubbornly high as sales increase

Used car prices remain stubbornly high as sales increase
New SMMT figures show increased sales of second-hand cars, but prices look set to stay high for a while
New roadside driver tiredness tests may open door for fines

New roadside driver tiredness tests may open door for fines
A blood test promised in two years will show whether driving is impaired by lack of sleep
Supermarkets blamed for diesel fuel rip-off costing drivers £9 per tank

Supermarkets blamed for diesel fuel rip-off costing drivers £9 per tank
Wholesale diesel prices have undercut petrol throughout April, so why is unleaded so much cheaper at the pumps?
Councils plan “unfair” yellow box junction enforcement fines

Councils plan “unfair” yellow box junction enforcement fines
An RAC investigation finds that 90 per cent of proposed box junction enforcement sites have issues
ChargeUK aims to double UK’s public EV charging network by end of 2023

ChargeUK aims to double UK’s public EV charging network by end of 2023
New trade body calls for action on planning issues and VAT to speed up public charger deployment
Thermal runaway EV battery fires controlled with water cutting tech

Thermal runaway EV battery fires controlled with water cutting tech
Swedish tests show Cold Cut Cobra tech can tackle thermal runaways fast using little water
New drivers under 25 could be banned from giving lifts to friends

New drivers under 25 could be banned from giving lifts to friends
The UK’s roads minister considers a graduated driving licence preventing young drivers from carrying other young passengers for a year
UK car numbers hit record levels in 2022

UK car numbers hit record levels in 2022
Car ownership rises for the first time since 2019, as Brits get back on the road post-pandemic and the number of plug-in cars passes 1 million
Smart motorway ban: campaigners want hard shoulders reinstated

Smart motorway ban: campaigners want hard shoulders reinstated
As government axes plans for new smart motorways, it’s urged to go further and scrap existing all-lane running schemes
Electric car write-offs could be more likely due to high cost of battery repairs

Electric car write-offs could be more likely due to high cost of battery repairs
High repair costs and lack of data sharing between manufacturers and garages could be making electric car write-offs more likely when the battery is d…
No combustion engine ban exemptions for efuels says UK Government

No combustion engine ban exemptions for efuels says UK Government
New petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale by 2035, with no plans to keep efuel-powered ICE cars on the market
Plans for cars to have first MoT after four years branded "dangerous"

Plans for cars to have first MoT after four years branded "dangerous"
Government plans for new cars to require their first MoT after four or five years instead of three have been met with criticism
UK fuel duty freeze and increased pothole investment announced in 2023 Spring Budget

UK fuel duty freeze and increased pothole investment announced in 2023 Spring Budget
Chancellor freezes fuel duty once again and maintains 5p cut for another 12 months; extra £200m for pothole repairs
New overhead gantry design for UK motorways unveiled

New overhead gantry design for UK motorways unveiled
Useful Studio wins a National Highways competition to design the next generation of motorway overhead gantry
Driving offence codes explained: UK licence endorsements for speeding and other offences 

Driving offence codes explained: UK licence endorsements for speeding and other offences
What are driving offence endorsement codes and what do they mean on your driving licence?
UK road pricing plans: MPs slam Treasury for lack of engagement with report

UK road pricing plans: MPs slam Treasury for lack of engagement with report
Government risks losing out on tens of billions of pounds in tax revenue if it does not consider plans to replace fuel duty with road pricing...
Road repair and building plans could be slashed by 2023 ‘austerity’ budget

Road repair and building plans could be slashed by 2023 ‘austerity’ budget
UK drivers face yet more doom and gloom as signs point to the forthcoming budget leading to big cuts in road-building plans
Driving test examiners to go on strike: dates announced

Driving test examiners to go on strike: dates announced
DVSA staff will walk out from 6 March, as union aims for “significant impact” on operations
Smart motorways suffer ‘unplanned outage’

Smart motorways suffer ‘unplanned outage’
The Dynac system running the UK’s smart motorways failed for two hours on February 22 2023, leaving drivers without signage or stopped vehicle detecti…
Car thefts up 29% with rise expected to continue

Car thefts up 29% with rise expected to continue
Official figures show growing car theft incidents, with experts predicting the problem could get worse
Government expands electric car charger funding

Government expands electric car charger funding
New £56million investment announced for local electric vehicle infrastructure scheme
Laws needed for remote control driving on UK roads

Laws needed for remote control driving on UK roads
Legal experts recommend a new regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of remote controlled vehicles on the road
Half of drivers break rural 60mph speed limits

Half of drivers break rural 60mph speed limits
The highest-ever proportion of drivers admit to breaking the speed limit on the most dangerous type of UK road
Clarity needed on private electric scooter laws

Clarity needed on private electric scooter laws
While rental electric scooters are legal on public roads, privately owned machines are currently restricted to use on private land
Plug-in hybrid emissions are three times higher than official tests show

Plug-in hybrid emissions are three times higher than official tests show
Real-world tests of plug-in hybrids suggest that official laboratory tests could be dramatically understating emissions...