7+ mon, 1+ week ago (820+ words) Express car writer Jack Mortimer says despite enjoying his time behind the wheel with many electric cars a serious issue that would put him off buying one. Electric cars are the future. It's a bitter pill for some to swallow, but car manufacturers are putting an ever-increasing focus on EVs whilst the Government brings the ban on most new petrol and diesel cars forward to 2030 once again. In the past few years, great strides have been made towards making electric models affordable for all. Today, the difference between the cheapest new petrol car and the cheapest new EV is around "250, with many mainstream car brands set to introduce sub-"20,000 electric cars in the next few years. Since working for the Express, I've been lucky enough to drive many of the latest models, which have ranged in price from'around "15,000'to185,000'and came…...

7+ mon, 1+ day ago (833+ words) A growing number of defence companies have urged employees to be cautious around Chinese-made electric cars, but the manufacturers say there is nothing to fear. A number of defence firms have urged staff to avoid plugging their'smartphones into an'electric car made in China over fears that the vehicles could be used for Chinese state spying. As with many markets in Europe, Chinese cars have rapidly increased in popularity over the past two years, with many Brits choosing one due to their bold designs and affordable prices. However, a growing number of companies have warned their employees to take'several precautions when using a'Chinese-made car to keep themselves and the firms safe. Speaking to The i Paper, an unnamed defence firm executive stated that they felt the need to make employees aware of "sensible" measures due to the rise in Chinese car…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (556+ words) The "2.70 figure comes from the cost of charging your car with the E.ON Next Drive EV tariff during off-peak hours, from midnight to 7 am. The energy firm has partnered with Manchester University ... UK drivers spent an average of "48 on petrol the last time they filled up their tank compared with the "2.70 it could cost them to fully charge an electric vehicle overnight, according to the latest research. However, the nation is still in the dark about EV charging costs, with only 4% of drivers knowing they could charge an EV at home for less than the price of a latte. The "2.70 figure comes from the cost of charging your car with the E.ON Next Drive EV tariff during off-peak hours, from midnight to 7 am. The energy firm has partnered with Manchester University economist Dr Sofia Sanchez to highlight the savings drivers…...

6+ mon, 1+ week ago (428+ words) A top Chinese car brand has recently revealed a new SUV that could become a major competitor to one of the UK's biggest motoring marques. A Chinese electric car brand has launched a direct rival to the iconic" Land Rover Defender, with the new model over "40,000 cheaper. The brand new iCar03, built by major Chinese car brand Chery, is on sale for around "14,535 (129,800 Yuan). In comparison, a new UK Land Rover Defender will set road users back by an eye-watering "58,310. It means the new Chinese model would offer an impressive saving of "43,775 in a potential coup for customers. Despite this, there are currently no plans to sell the model in Europe meaning motorists cannot enjoy the major discount just yet. Although, plans for expansion could be just around the corner with the Chinese model already sold in many Asian markets such…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (514+ words) Octopus Electric Vehicles has unveiled its top five electric vehicles for Q3 2025, highlighting the standout electric cars that are shaping choice, value, and excitement for UK drivers, with European brands leading the pack. Despite the OMODA E5 maintaining its position as Octopus' most popular model, with its unbeatable value and high specification being cited, European brands have made a strong showing. The Mercedes EQB, VW ID. 3 and the eagerly awaited Renault 5 have demonstrated that European car manufacturers are responding to drivers' growing interest in electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y also featured on the list, reflecting the wide range of electric vehicles now on offer " from family-friendly SUVs to chic city hatchbacks. The Government's Electric Car Grant has further boosted consumer confidence in the UK, signalling policy stability and the nation's ambition to be a leader in the EV market. Driven in part…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (422+ words) Safety chiefs have urged drivers to avoid buying one hybrid petrol and electric vehicle after discovering a "fundamental weakness" during crash tests. Euro NCAP has advised drivers to "consider alternatives" to the MG3 due to concerns about seatbelt safety." Euro NCAP chiefs claimed time was also needed for bosses to consider if a "recall" notice should be issued in a potential blow to owners. Safety bosses handed the MG3 an overall four-star rating but noted a major concern during the 31mph frontal offset crash test."During the checks, safety experts" claimed that the MG3 seat latch failed - leading to a seat twist on impact. EuroNCAP said the seat latch mechanism failure had likely led to an extra impact on the driver dummy's right leg."The dummy's head was said to "bottom out' against the steering wheel instead of striking the airbag." The move meant…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (567+ words) Motorists who lack a driveway will be able to join the electric car revolution with plans to run cables under pavements so drivers can plug their vehicles into their homes" power.This will allow drivers to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates and save them up to "1,500 a year on the cost of running a petrol or diesel car " as well as cutting out the hassle of finding a charging hub. The "25million scheme is part of a "63million funding boost intended to tear away barriers to driving a electric vehicle. The under-pavement cabling is designed to allow drivers to run their cars for as little as two pence a mile.It comes as the number of chargepoints in the UK has hit 82,000 " with a further 100,000 expected. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We are making it easier and cheaper to own an…...

5+ mon, 2+ week ago (452+ words) An electric car driver has said they are able to save around "1,000 a year on their energy bills through a savvy combination of heat pumps, being careful with their electricity usage, and one special cable. Adrian, an electric car driver, was interviewed as part of a documentary by Channel 5 about how affordable electric cars are. As well as fitting his home with heat pumps and solar panels, Adrian also uses a special cable that connects his electric car to his house. However, this isn't so the house can be used to power the car, but so the car can power the house, and even warm it. Adrian said he uses the cable to power any device that can be plugged into a three-pin plug socket, such as a heater or gardening'equipment. Whilst this means sticking a cable through his letterbox,…...

9+ mon, 3+ week ago (642+ words) Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was urged to tackle an unfair "electric car tax" which means some drivers will pay more than others to power their vehicles. Ms Alexander met electric car manufacturers yesterday to stress that the Government would press ahead with ending the sale of new cars powered solely by internal combustion engines by 2030, reversing a delay of five years introduced by the last Conservative government. But motoring organisation the RAC warned action was needed to deal with a two-tier charging system which means motorists in homes without driveways will be pay more. Currently the Government charges VAT of 20% on energy provided through public electric car charging points, higher than the 5% VAT paid by households able to fit a private charging point at home. In practice it means motorists who don't have off-road parking will pay more. Industry experts…...

2+ mon, 5+ day ago (801+ words) Bentley has caused surprise by announcing its new range of three replacement cars will be petrol only. In a blow to environmental campaigners and the government which has pledged to ban sales of fossil fuel cars by 2030 the luxury manuacturer based in Crewe, Cheshire said demand had fallen. It told Autocar it is preparing pure-petrol successors to the Bentayga, Continental GT and Flying Spur in a dramatic reversal of its EV-only strategy, and it follows a significant U-turn at Porsche late last week. Under its Beyond100 strategy, the British luxury car manufacturer had planned to eliminate petrol engines entirely by 2035. However, the plan is now facing major revisions as its Volkswagen Group sister company reinforces renewed commitments to internal combustion engine'development. Porsche announced on Friday that it will invest "3.1 billion to prolong the lifespan of its petrol models. This particularly encompasses…...