Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL van has been awarded the “Most energy efficient light commercial vehicle (in production)” at the 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge. The Vito E-CELL took part in the 60-mile route from Brighton to London and was the most efficient vehicle in its class.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is the first battery-electric van to be introduced (ex factory) by any vehicle manufacturer and its emission-free drive system is ideally suited to operation in inner-cities and other environmentally sensitive areas. With zero emissions, almost silent running and no restrictions on load capacity or payload, the Vito E-CELL looks set to be a resounding success story in the commercial vehicle sector.

T.27 electric car

The Gordon Murray Design T.27 electric car completed the RAC Future Car Challenge last Saturday, driving the 57.13 miles from Brighton to London. The T.27 was up against stiff competition from more than 65 entrants from other car manufacturers, using all the latest fuel-efficient and low CO2 technology.

The T.27 carried two occupants along the route and achieved a remarkable 350mpg (0.81 litres/100km) using less than 64 pence worth of energy, with CO2 emissions of just 37g/km. When fully charged (takes around 4 hours) the T.27 has a range of 100 miles.

The T.27 has already been named as “The World’s Most Efficient Electric Car” and the car was entered into the RAC Future Car Challenge to see how it would perform in “real-world” traffic conditions. The T.27 has been built in conjunction with the Technology Strategy Board, Zytek Automotive Limited and iStream.

Mitsubishi i-MIEV

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has supported the RAC and respected motoring journalist, Quentin Willson, who have both called on the Government to suspend the VAT charged on pure-Electric Vehicles (EVs).

This would help bridge the cost of an EV and a conventional vehicle and would help stimulate consumer and fleet demand. Mitsubishi was the first car manufacturer to produce a pure-EV in regular production and looks set to become a world player in reducing CO2 emissions.

Quentin Willson, said,”While the Government gives £5000 grants for EVs, they’re still too expensive for mass market. Clawing back thousands of pounds of that grant in VAT isn’t helping. We need to create demand among consumers and investor confidence. The UK must lead the world in green car technology before the Chinese beat us to it”.

Winter Driving

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has offered some tips for any drivers setting off on a long road journey this Christmas. They have also placed a winter driving factsheet on their website covering a range of issues affecting drivers including snow, ice, fog and winter sun.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said,”As well as smooth driving techniques, safer winter driving is about good preparation-making sure you’re in a fit state to drive, that your vehicle is in good condition and that you’ve planned your journey”.

RoSPA advice;

• Check that all your lights are clean and working properly.
• Make sure your windscreen and windows are clear and the washer bottle is filled up with the correct concentration of water and screenwash. You may need more screenwash concentrate when the weather is colder.
• Carry a de-icing kit, a first aid kit and a working torch.
• In case you get stuck in the snow, make sure you have a blanket, a pair of boots, a shovel, a high-visibility jacket and a fully-charged mobile phone.

You can also check your journey via a number of websites as follows;

• Trafficmaster – provides live updates on any hold-ups on the UK’s major roads.
• Highways Agency
• RAC website
• BBC website

A final tip is if you are using a satnav system, select routes via the motorways, rather than letting the satnav take you the quickest route as you may find yourself travelling down some “A” or even “B” roads where road conditions may be dangerous.

Skoda

Many UK motorists will take to the roads in Europe this year for their summer holiday but how many actually know the rules in each country? The recent volcanic ash disturbances has ensured that for many, driving to the continent is a much easier option and that air flight disruption will not affect their holiday plans.

However the rules are different in each European country, where for example in France, Italy and Belguim, the drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (in the UK it is 80mg per 100ml of blood) and in Norway it is just 20mg. In Germany it is illegal to use a GPS navigation system that indicates speed cameras and in Spain, it’s compulsory for drivers to keep a reflective jacket within reach inside the car at all times.

Help is on hand as Skoda and the RAC has teamed up to offer a free European Travel Advice Guide to help keep you safe and as well as dealing with driving regulations and mandatory equipment, it also lists any recommended  items required to drive safely in more than 40 European countries.

The guide is available from any Skoda dealer.

Veloce Publishing, the leading automotive publisher, has now teamed up with the RAC ro produce books carrying the RAC brand. The first new books being launched in the summer are:

“Electric Cars- The future is now”

This is a comprehensive guide to whether electric cars are a feasible alternative to conventionally powered cars and what is available now- priced at £12.99.

“The Efficient Driver’s Handbook”

Fuel prices are at record levels and this new book aims to help drivers with fuel efficient driving techniques and is priced at £9.99.

“Roads with a view – Englands’s greatest views and how to find them by road”

Priced at £24.99 this new book features 44 breathtaking views and shows you how to get there.

Rod Grainger at Veloce Publilshing said,”This is a really exciting development for our company. It’s a prestigious association with a hugely respected organisation which not only marks a coming of age for Veloce, but presents a huge range of potential publications which can be created in association with RAC”.

The RAC Foundation has recently told government minister, Sadiq Khan at the Department for Transport that the plan to regulate rogue wheel clampers should now be put in action.

The RAC Foundation has been campaigning for a long while for better regulation of the industry and wants to see the following introduced;

- A binding code of conduct on all those working in private parking enforcement.

- An independent appeals service.

- An industry regulator with the powers to remove the licences of operators who flout the  

Dr Chris Elliott carried out a legal review of wheel clamping on private land for the RAC Foundation. It can be viewed at: http://www.racfoundation.org/files/CLAMPING%20PAPER%20(Elliott)%20-%20FINAL%20060709.pdf

The Government has pressed ahead with the planned 2p a litre rise in fuel duty from today, despite intense pressure from motoring groups. The further rise in oil prices looks set to push this up by 5p in total- putting an extra £120 a year on on fuel costs, for the average two-car family. This is the third rise in fuel duty in nine months, following increases in April and December.

RAC motoring strategist, Adrian Tink said,”This third fuel duty hike is unacceptable. Since the start of 2009, motorists have seen a 23 per cent rise in pump prices, meaning an extra £11 per tank for the average car”. Mr Tink also pointed out that VAT is set to rise back to 17.5%, on the 1st January 2010 and there is a further fuel duty rise due, in April 2010.

To ensure you get the best prices for your money don’t forget the website www.petrolprices.com records the cheapest prices for fuel in your location. It is also worth considering the combined miles per gallon consumption, when choosing your next car or van.

The MPG shopper at Comparecontracthire.com allows you to select the range of combined MPG fuel consumption you would like to achieve and choose the manufacturers whose vehicles you would like to see displayed. You can easily change the MPG ranges on the side menu bar if you don’t find a Bentley doing 70mpg!. And by choosing business or personal car hire you get to see the latest car leasing prices displayed as well.

Combined MPG is the figure presented for the Urban Cycle and Extra- Urban cycle together. It is an average of these two tests weighted by the distance covered in each.

Free car check

ATS Euromaster is offering a free pre-holiday vehicle health check, at any of its 450 services centres across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The no obligation health check takes just 15 minutes and there is no need to book.

This offer is suitable for any make, model and age of car and includes both private and company owned or leased vehicles as well. The inspection will cover tyre tread and depth, condition and pressure, as well as a visual inspection of front brakes, battery, exhaust and shock absorbers. At the end of the check you get a written report telling what they have found and the best news is this is a free offer.

In 2007, according to the RAC, the single top cause of breakdowns was a puncture (culminating in over 200,000 call-outs) followed by a flat battery. Battery and tyre related incidents equated to 30 per cent of the 2.8 million breakdowns they attend each year.

Chris Hufflet, Group Operations Director at ATS Euromaster said:” With travel pundits warning less people will be jetting off this summer, it is widely anticipated that more families will be packing up their cars and enjoying lower cost holidays around the British Isles. For these holidaymakers the last thing they want is to break down at the side of the road with a car full of excited kids and a boot jam-packed with luggage. On a hot summer’s day it can be a miserable, not to mention dangerous experience and one which can be avoided letting a professional spend a few moments checking your car before you set off”.

Welsh Dragon

Back in September last year an overhaul of the car registration system said UK drivers could only carry the EU flag and the letters GB on their number plates. Following an outcry from Scottish and Welsh nationalists who complained that many people had been displaying national flags and symbols, the law has finally been changed.

Transport Minister Jim Spellar said the Union Jack, Cross of St George, Scottish Saltire or Welsh Dragon could appear on plates following a DVLA review. ” It is what the people of England, Scotland and Wales have asked for and strengthens their feeling of national identity” he said.

British drivers could also include the letters ENG, SCO and CYM on plates he added, as the new style number plates were unveiled outside the Department of Transport, Local Governnment and the Regions in central London.

However the motoring organisations are warning that UK motorists should be careful when travelling abroad in Europe. TheAA said that many motorists with a national flag or symbol on their plates may not know that you must still display a separate GB sticker when travelling outside the UK.

Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, the campaigning arm of the RAC, welcomed the change but said ” I think the Government has shown flexibility in allowing it. There was an outcry by Scottish and Welsh drivers at not being able to show their nationality”. He went on to say ” But obviously the Government must remind drivers that their national symbols are not as well recognised in Europe and they will need GB stickers as well”.