Motoring news that's fit to print

Motorists may not yet be convinced about electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as other advanced technologies, but it appears that start-stop technology has already won over the masses. Consumer research commissioned by Johnson Controls reports that 97 per cent of Americans are now ready for start-stop technology – emphasising that they want the improved [ ... ]

It’s not even due to hit the market for at least another year but Nissan’s e-NV200 has won its first award. The fully electric version of the LCV is still in testing stages with various companies but that didn’t bear any influence on Van Fleet World presenting it with the Environment Award at this week’s [ ... ]

Mitsubishi is taking two electric vehicles to tackle the notorious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this July. The Japanese carmaker will be aiming to win the category prize for ‘Electric Class’ with its i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version of its production EV. Also entering the competition will be a slightly modified standard i-MiEV, as [ ... ]

Britain’s first 26-tonne diesel-hybrid truck is expected to enter service after being handed over to freighters Norbert Dentressangle. The 310hp rigid Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech will be used for deliveries into London, mostly at night and in the early morning, to take advantage of its low noise, reduced emissions and improved fuel consumption. Based [ ... ]

Thought that the talk of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles was over and that the electric revolution was firmly in place? Think again – because Mercedes-Benz has announced that fuel cell cars are very much in its plans. It has already started to lease the Mercedes B-Class F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell car (pictured) in California – [ ... ]

Having already established itself in the electric vehicle market with the Nissan LEAF, the Japanese carmaker is now starting to test another electric vehicle. The vehicle is based on the Nissan NV200 (pictured) and will be used by AEON Retail Company to make deliveries within the Tokyo area as part of the company’s new online [ ... ]

It has long been one of the biggest concerns about ethanol blends replacing petrol – could it harm your engine? Now a new two-year study from the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) suggests it could. The CRC looked at the effects of E15 and E20 ethanol blends and found that two popular petrol engines used from [ ... ]

American carmaker Chevrolet has decided that to back up the launch of its ground-breaking Volt EREV in the UK its new advertising campaign will be 100% digital. The first project since the manufacturer signed a global deal with Carat as its new media agency, the campaign will see Chevrolet partner with AOL’s Huffington Post UK [ ... ]

Participants of a major US-wide trial of electric cars in Los Angeles are making the best use of their zero tailpipe emission vehicles, according to Ecotality, which collates the trial’s data. According to the leading provider of electric car charging infrastructure, drivers in this California city travel further in their EVs than those in other [ ... ]

Skoda’s Fleet Sales team strapped on their trainers for charity recently as they endured a 100km slog as part of the London 2 Brighton Challenge. Leaving the start line in Richmond at 10.45am on Saturday 12 May, the six-strong team [ ... ]

The following works are planned on the Highways Agency’s roads in Devon and Cornwall w/c 20/5: A38 Heathfield, nr Bovey Tracey: Eastbound lane closure 1900 – 0400 hrs for barrier works (21-25 May) A38 Heathfield, nr Bovey Tracey: Westbound lane [ ... ]

‘Be prepared for the unexpected’; this was the simple message from Transport for London at an FTA event for freighters and transport companies operating in and around the capital during the 2012 Olympics. Speaking at the third and final Freight [ ... ]

A number of charities have come together to form a new coalition in a bid to resist the introduction of 80mph motorways. Led by road safety charity Brake, the coalition – comprising the Campaign for Better Transport, Greenpeace, Roadpeace, Road [ ... ]

Road users in the South West are being advised that a section of the A38 at Plymouth will be closed tomorrow evening (Saturday 19 May) to allow the Olympic Torch Relay to cross the Tamar Bridge. The convoy starts the [ ... ]

Car leasing software provider Sofico has been accepted as an associate member of Tokyo Automotive Leasing Association (TALA). Belgium-based Sofico – which specialises in software solutions for automotive finance, leasing and fleet management companies – has become the second non-Japanese [ ... ]

Morrison Utilities and Amey are the latest companies to secure accreditation under the Freight Transport Association’s Van Excellence scheme. The two civil engineering businesses have successfully demonstrated that their fleet management and compliance systems can meet the Code of Van [ ... ]

Vauxhall is to introduce a more fuel efficient 1.4L petrol engine to some of its commercial vehicles. Available in L1H1 and L2H1 body types, the new 95PS Euro 5-compliant Combo unit comes with start/stop technology, returning 40.3mpg and achieving CO2 [ ... ]

South West Coaches has called on TomTom’s fleet management solutions in a bid to cut fuel costs and improve driver efficiency. TomTom Business Solutions’ tracking and Remote LINK Working Time system was picked out by the Somerset-based coach and bus [ ... ]

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