Industry reacts to scrapping of new smart motorways
Following the Prime Minister’s decision to rule out the building of new smart motorways, the industry has been giving its reaction. Max Sugarman, Chief Executive at Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), said: “Whilst we acknowledge that the Government will stop construction of all new smart motorways, it is important to note that these roads […]
Diesel pump price difference with petrol described as “shocking”
The wholesale price of diesel is now on a par with petrol yet diesel is still being sold for 17.5p a litre more on average at forecourts across the UK, data from RAC Fuel Watch reveals. The average price of petrol stands at 146.63p while diesel is 164.26p despite both fuels selling for around 114.5p on the […]
700,000 cars could be liable for ULEZ when zone expands
Nearly 700,000 car drivers in Greater London could be liable to pay the £12.50 Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge when the scheme expands in August 2023, a freedom of information request made by the RAC suggests. It says that, as of 22 February 2023, DVLA data shows a total of 691,559 licensed cars in the […]
Chancellor set to announce £200m funding for local roads, say reports
Reports in the national media and by motoring organisations have suggested that an extra £200 million could be provided for local road maintenance in tomorrow’s Budget. The Daily Mail reports the money represents around a 20% boost in funds to fix roads in towns, cities, and rural roads. The paper has a pothole campaign calling […]
Significant rise in motorists breaking 60mph speed limits on rural roads
There has been a significant rise in the proportion of drivers who admit to speeding on 60mph rural roads where more deaths occur than on any other road type, new RAC data has found. Nearly half (48%) of the 3,102 drivers questioned for the RAC Report on Motoring say they have driven faster than the […]
FairCharge and RAC call for electricity wholesale price to be decoupled from gas to cut EV charging costs
EV campaign group FairCharge and the RAC – a founding supporter – are today calling on the Government to underline its support for the switch to electric vehicles by decoupling the wholesale price of electricity from gas, something which would immediately reduce the cost of charging EVs. They say the current high wholesale electricity price […]
Seven out of ten want motorists think it’s driver’s responsibility to ensure seat belt compliance
68% of motorists believe drivers should be responsible for ensuring all their passengers wear seatbelts. The RAC has published research released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the law to make seatbelt wearing obligatory. Currently, drivers only have responsibility to make sure they and any children in their vehicles are restrained properly – with […]
Cost of rapid charging EV rises 50% – but home charging still “great value”
The cost of using publicly accessible rapid and ultra-rapid chargers – which a driver taking longer trips beyond their electric car’s range depends on – has risen by 50% since May, according to new data from RAC Charge Watch. It now costs an average of 70.32p per kilowatt hour to rapid charge on a pay-as-you-go […]
EVs take largest share of new car sales
The UK new car market grew 23.5% in November to 142,889 registered units in the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, with newly registered battery electric vehicles up 35.2% to represent more than one in five new cars. New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the growth delivered the best total […]
Research suggests drivers are avoiding inside lane on smart motorways over safety fears
Half of drivers say they frequently or occasionally avoid using lane one on all lane running smart motorways. The RAC, which carried out the research, says this is “a revelation that completely undermines the very reason so many hard shoulders have been permanently turned into running lanes: to increase road capacity”. The RAC spoke to […]