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Friday 12 October 2012
Monday 16 April 2007
'Rewards' for drivers who back road prices
Motorists will be offered incentives to take part in road-pricing experiments, under government plans to rescue its policy of reducing congestion by charging vehicles by the mile.
Rather than forcing drivers to install a black box, to track their cars’ movements, ministers hope to encourage volunteers by making the system financially attractive.
The Government was taken by surprise by the strength of feeling against road pricing in the petition opposing the idea on the Downing Street website. It attracted 1.8 million signatures, compared with 5,000 for a petition supporting road pricing.
The Department for Transport is developing an approach where drivers will be offered a choice: carry on paying motoring taxes or switch to a road-pricing meter in the car that could save money.
Drivers could be offered a discount on fuel duty in return for agreeing to pay a distance-based charge, which would vary according to the level of congestion. DfT officials are studying an American trial in Oregon in which drivers who agree to pay a mileage charge have duty deducted from fuel bills.
The department hopes to test the voluntary approach in regional pilot schemes due to be announced this year. Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge are being considered for the experiments.
The hope is that positive reports from volunteers will help to silence suspicions about the concept, including concerns that the black box will be used to spy on drivers’ movements and to raise the overall amount paid in motoring taxes.
Ministers have promised repeatedly that neither of these things will happen but the size of the petition suggests that many drivers do not believe them.
Under the new approach, drivers would be encouraged to see the black box as a useful tool, not an intrusive tracking device. The box, which would use satellite positioning and a digital map to record the vehicle’s movements, would act like a taxi meter. Drivers would be able to see the true cost of their journey mounting up as they sat behind the wheel and might decide to travel at a cheaper time, by a cheaper route or even on public transport. At present, motoring taxes are almost invisible to drivers because road tax is paid annually and fuel tax is collected automatically at the filling station.
The RAC Foundation supports the voluntary approach but believes that the Government should offer participants a whole package of benefits. It has developed a concept called “UK Drive Time”, which would involve installing a black box capable not just of calculating the distance charge but also of giving advice to the driver about congestion and offering faster alternative routes.
The system could also allow the driver to pay less for insurance. Norwich Union already offers a “pay-as-you-drive” policy under which drivers pay less if they avoid driving late at night and in the morning peak, when most crashes occur.
Edmund King, the foundation’s director, said: “It would be political suicide to force road pricing on drivers. They need to be tempted to opt in.” David Begg, the Government’s former transport adviser, said that ministers should learn from the introduction of the Oyster travel card in London. “No one was forced to get an Oyster card but the incentives were gradually increased and now more than ten million people have one,” he said.
An American road pricing experiment in Seattle found that almost 80 per cent of volunteers made fewer car journeys on congested roads when offered a financial reward.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1658091.ece
Rather than forcing drivers to install a black box, to track their cars’ movements, ministers hope to encourage volunteers by making the system financially attractive.
The Government was taken by surprise by the strength of feeling against road pricing in the petition opposing the idea on the Downing Street website. It attracted 1.8 million signatures, compared with 5,000 for a petition supporting road pricing.
The Department for Transport is developing an approach where drivers will be offered a choice: carry on paying motoring taxes or switch to a road-pricing meter in the car that could save money.
Drivers could be offered a discount on fuel duty in return for agreeing to pay a distance-based charge, which would vary according to the level of congestion. DfT officials are studying an American trial in Oregon in which drivers who agree to pay a mileage charge have duty deducted from fuel bills.
The department hopes to test the voluntary approach in regional pilot schemes due to be announced this year. Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge are being considered for the experiments.
The hope is that positive reports from volunteers will help to silence suspicions about the concept, including concerns that the black box will be used to spy on drivers’ movements and to raise the overall amount paid in motoring taxes.
Ministers have promised repeatedly that neither of these things will happen but the size of the petition suggests that many drivers do not believe them.
Under the new approach, drivers would be encouraged to see the black box as a useful tool, not an intrusive tracking device. The box, which would use satellite positioning and a digital map to record the vehicle’s movements, would act like a taxi meter. Drivers would be able to see the true cost of their journey mounting up as they sat behind the wheel and might decide to travel at a cheaper time, by a cheaper route or even on public transport. At present, motoring taxes are almost invisible to drivers because road tax is paid annually and fuel tax is collected automatically at the filling station.
The RAC Foundation supports the voluntary approach but believes that the Government should offer participants a whole package of benefits. It has developed a concept called “UK Drive Time”, which would involve installing a black box capable not just of calculating the distance charge but also of giving advice to the driver about congestion and offering faster alternative routes.
The system could also allow the driver to pay less for insurance. Norwich Union already offers a “pay-as-you-drive” policy under which drivers pay less if they avoid driving late at night and in the morning peak, when most crashes occur.
Edmund King, the foundation’s director, said: “It would be political suicide to force road pricing on drivers. They need to be tempted to opt in.” David Begg, the Government’s former transport adviser, said that ministers should learn from the introduction of the Oyster travel card in London. “No one was forced to get an Oyster card but the incentives were gradually increased and now more than ten million people have one,” he said.
An American road pricing experiment in Seattle found that almost 80 per cent of volunteers made fewer car journeys on congested roads when offered a financial reward.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1658091.ece
Friday 13 April 2007
Ford focus wins top honour at Auto Express Used Car Awards 2007
Ford took the top award at the Auto Express Used Car Honours 2007 by securing best used car with the Ford Focus.
Further winners for Ford were the Ford Mondeo, which won the category for best family car while the Ford Focus also won the award for best compact car. The Ford Fiesta was commended in the supermini category and the Ford Focus ST was commended in the hot hatch category.
Commenting on the Ford Focus honour, Auto Express Editor David Johns said: "When it came to picking an overall winner, there was no argument. The Focus offers an unbeatable all-round package".
The Ford Focus was the overwhelming choice of Auto Express's panel of expert judges, which included Jeff Paterson from industry trade bible Glass's Guide and car trader-turned TV presenter Mike Brewer. They summarised its performance by pointing out that the acid test of asking themselves whether they could recommend a car to a close friend or relative didn't apply to the Focus because all the judges would happily take one home for themselves to keep!
Ford Focus strengths recognised by the panel of experts included its quality interior, fine engines and excellent chassis, and genuine desirability. Like any other Ford – the judges noted – owners also benefit from low running costs and a huge dealer network.
Kevin Griffin, director of fleet operations Ford of Britain and responsible for used car sales nationally, commented: "The top award recognises the strength in depth provided by the Ford Focus range. Also, it underlines the quality and reliability offered by the Ford range backed up by low cost of ownership and an unmatched dealer network."
Tuesday 6 March 2007
Tesco to pay for fuel damage
Tesco has pledged to pay millions of pounds for repairs to cars damaged by contaminated petrol.
The supermarket giant has today taken out full page advertisements in national newspapers apologising for the damage caused to thousands of vehicles owned by its customers.
The advert says that the rogue petrol, which was tainted with silicon, has been drained from its store forecourts and replaced with a 'fresh, clean supply'.
It reassured its customers that its petrol can now be used 'with confidence'. The advert, which appears under the headline 'Tesco petrol. It's back to normal and we're sorry' goes on to offer to cover the cost of any repairs.
It carries the phone number 0800 028 6428 for customers to obtain further information and advice.
The supermarket giant has today taken out full page advertisements in national newspapers apologising for the damage caused to thousands of vehicles owned by its customers.
The advert says that the rogue petrol, which was tainted with silicon, has been drained from its store forecourts and replaced with a 'fresh, clean supply'.
It reassured its customers that its petrol can now be used 'with confidence'. The advert, which appears under the headline 'Tesco petrol. It's back to normal and we're sorry' goes on to offer to cover the cost of any repairs.
It carries the phone number 0800 028 6428 for customers to obtain further information and advice.
Monday 5 March 2007
Contaminated fuel: Claiming for Damages
The Association of British Insurers has today announced that comprehensive motor insurance policy holders might be able to claim for accidental damage, provided they could prove where they purchased the fuel. Receipts would need to be submitted in order to make a successful claim, but this is great news for drivers with vehicles damaged by contaminated petrol.
For more infromation, visit the Association of British Insurers website:
www.abi.org.uk/
For more infromation, visit the Association of British Insurers website:
www.abi.org.uk/
Car Shoppers Continue to Search for Hybrid Cars on Desperate Seller
With the days of 50p petrol prices long gone, and the average price now 89.1p per litre, motorists are beginning to demand more fuel efficiency from their cars.
Recent car searches on Desperate Seller.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading car selling and buying websites, reveals that more and more consumers are turning to hybrid cars as the solution for increased fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
The Honda Civic 1.3 IMA Executive, which tops the Environmental Transport Association's green rankings, has featured in the Top 3 number of vehicle searches on Desperate Seller for the past three consecutive months. The Honda Civic offers everything a hybrid consumer could want: it has low greenhouse gas emissions; is relatively quiet; and scores well in the NCAP ratings.
The five door Toyota Prius, also features high in the number of searches on Desperate Seller. The Prius uses battery power to back up a 1.5-litre petrol engine and emits just 104g/km of CO2.
Other vehicles showing significant increases in the number of searches include, the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 EL, this city car offers fantastic fuel efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions of just 114g/km of CO2. Also being searched for is the Toyota Aygo, this three-or five-door car posts the UK's second-lowest CO2 emissions of just 109g/km not far behind the ultra-clean Toyota Prius. And the Peugeot 407 1.6HDI S 110, one of the most high specced green cars on the market, which not only breaks 50mpg but also has respectable CO2 emissions of 145g/km.
With hybrid cars, on average having a 90% lower carbon emission rate than traditional cars, and motorists being able to save hundreds of pounds a year in fuel bills by choosing a greener car, Desperate Seller.co.uk have a wide selection of fuel-efficient vehicles for consumers to choose from.
For further information, please visit; www.desperateseller.co.uk
Friday 2 March 2007
Contaminated fuel: What to Watch For!
As an investigation is launched by Trading Standards officers after thousands of motorists claimed they had been sold contaminated fuel, what should you do if you think your car has been affected?
It has been reported the outlets were selling petrol contaminated with ethanol without telling customers, although motoring organisations have been quick to call this unlikely.
But if you find yourself having car trouble, check out these tips :
What to look for:
* Drivers who have poured contaminated petrol into their tanks will notice their cars running roughly almost immediately
* AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said drivers would quickly find the car struggling to reach normal revs, slowing down and running badly
* By this point, a sensor in the exhaust pipe which measures exhaust gases will be sending information to the car's engine control unit (ECU) to run less fuel through the engine
* Many cars would move into "limp home mode", which allows the car to be driven slowly but with less acceleration - a protection built into most modern cars to prevent damage to the engine
* If the fuel is contaminated, the exhaust sensor will have turned a white or pink colour or have a white ash-type deposit on it
* The affected fuel is unlikely to cause any long-term damage to engines, provided drivers seek help immediately.
* However, the exhaust sensor would have to replaced at a cost of about £100
What should you do:
* Vehicle owners who suspect they may have been affected by contaminated fuel should take immediate action
* The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said drivers should keep all fuel receipts and note their mileage
* A spokesman said owners should contact their car dealer or manufacturer for advice if their engine starts to misfire or run roughly
* You should avoid driving the car, but your dealer should give the best advice on this
* The SMMT said if faulty fuel was proved to be the source of the problem, suppliers may be responsible for repair costs.
* The SMMT spokesman said owners should contact their local trading standards office for legal advice.
* The RAC has warned drivers not to attempt siphoning petrol from their tanks.
It has been reported the outlets were selling petrol contaminated with ethanol without telling customers, although motoring organisations have been quick to call this unlikely.
But if you find yourself having car trouble, check out these tips :
What to look for:
* Drivers who have poured contaminated petrol into their tanks will notice their cars running roughly almost immediately
* AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said drivers would quickly find the car struggling to reach normal revs, slowing down and running badly
* By this point, a sensor in the exhaust pipe which measures exhaust gases will be sending information to the car's engine control unit (ECU) to run less fuel through the engine
* Many cars would move into "limp home mode", which allows the car to be driven slowly but with less acceleration - a protection built into most modern cars to prevent damage to the engine
* If the fuel is contaminated, the exhaust sensor will have turned a white or pink colour or have a white ash-type deposit on it
* The affected fuel is unlikely to cause any long-term damage to engines, provided drivers seek help immediately.
* However, the exhaust sensor would have to replaced at a cost of about £100
What should you do:
* Vehicle owners who suspect they may have been affected by contaminated fuel should take immediate action
* The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said drivers should keep all fuel receipts and note their mileage
* A spokesman said owners should contact their car dealer or manufacturer for advice if their engine starts to misfire or run roughly
* You should avoid driving the car, but your dealer should give the best advice on this
* The SMMT said if faulty fuel was proved to be the source of the problem, suppliers may be responsible for repair costs.
* The SMMT spokesman said owners should contact their local trading standards office for legal advice.
* The RAC has warned drivers not to attempt siphoning petrol from their tanks.
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