News

Following a drop in sales over the last year, Aston Martin may enter what it describes as the ‘luxury commuter’ car market with the launch of the Cygnet, a green runabout built around the Toyota iQ city car. The existing range sells for upwards of £100,000, but the cygnet would most likely sell for less than £20,000. The company says the...

Cyclists in Carlisle have staged a demonstration over the region’s cycle lanes. Around 30 people took to the roads during rush hour in a bid to convince authorities to implement better facilities for those using this form of transport. Mark Lloyd, one of those who was part of the ride, said that the aim was to make people “more aware of...

The ETA no longer offers a new car warranty for electric cars, however ETA Breakdown Cover now includes FREE Auto Repair, which pays up to £500 per year for repairs and labour costs following a breakdown attended by its recovery agents. Engine problems, snapped fan belts, worn out suspension – the range of mechanical faults at the root of a...

Britain is to become the first country in Europe to build hybrid cars following a decision by Toyota to start production of the Auris at its Burnaston plant near Derby. The Sunday Times newspaper reports that production is expected to start at the end of this year. The Auris hybrid shares its chassis, 1.8litre petrol engine and electric...

After four years of design and development, Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard today unveils the solar-powered aircraft with which he plans to demonstrate the potential of renewable energies by circumnavigating the globe. It will be the world’s first manned solar-powered aircraft. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype has a wing span of 61m,...

Commuters will have the chance of a greener trip to work after the government announced £5 million of funding to improve cycle storage facilities at Britain’s major railway stations. Lord Andrew Adonis, secretary of state for transport, said a recent visit to Holland highlighted the superiority of their bicycle facilities, a situation he...

The government has pledged £25 million of funding to a new project to run real-life trials of eight low-carbon vehicles. It is hoped the new scheme will accelerate the progress of new low-carbon vehicles to market and has been described as “the most significant step in the UK to date” towards eco-friendly transport. Transport secretary Lord...

The government will definitely not go ahead with plans national road charging – a system of ‘pay-as-you-go’ driving which had once been a flagship policy. The transport minister, Lord Adonis, said: “It will not be in the manifesto for the next election. This is not the time to be putting this before the British people. I don’t believe as...

A new £62 million scheme aims to improve the Tees Valley bus network. Transport minister, Sadiq Khan, says the investment will fund the introduction of bus lanes, realignment of road junctions and the creation of new parking bays: “Public transport is the lifeblood of any region and additional investment will yield strong benefits.” Mr Khan...

Ten major railway stations will have the opportunity to improve their cycling facilities under government plans to create a network of 'cycling hubs' around the country. A £5m fund will provide extra bike racks and repair shops in a bid to encourage rail passengers to cycle more. Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, is seeking to emulate...