ETA newsletter - 26/06/2008

Electric air travel beckons

After four years of design and development, Swiss adventurer
Bertrand Piccard today unveils the solar-powered aircraft with
which he plans to circumnavigate the globe. It will be the
world’s first manned solar-powered aircraft. Read more

Electric car testers sought

Will you be vounteering to take part in the government-funded
electric car trials announced this week? The £25m scheme will run
for 12 months and see 340 electric vehicles being put through
their paces. Car manufacturers are hoping to discover how
electric cars would be used in everyday, ‘real world’ conditions.
Read more

Dead end for road-user charging?

The government will definitely not go ahead with plans for
national road charging – a system of pay-as-you-go driving which
had once been a flagship policy. Read more

New breakdown service for cyclists is free

Cyclists who break down are now able to call out a recovery lorry
in much the same way as car drivers do. The carbon-neutral Cycle
Rescue [http://www.eta.co.uk/breakdown/cycle_rescue] service
costs from £35 per year, but is included for free with a new type
of cycle insurance. Read more

New hydrogen car leased like mobile phone

The entrepreneurs behind the latest hydrogen-powered concept car
plan to transform the way we use our cars by replacing outright
ownership with a system similar to a mobile phone contract. Read more

Railway stations to become ‘cycling hubs’

Ten major railway stations will have the opportunity to improve
their cycling facilities as the government creates a network of
‘cycling hubs’ around the country. Read more

Renewed mega-truck threat

A new research paper for the European Commission is expected to
lead to the introduction of road trains across Europe. Read more

Nissan bets on electric car future

Nissan is gambling on a future car market dominated by electric
vehicles rather than the petrol/battery hybrids currently being
developed by its rivals, Toyota and Honda. Read more

The road to greener motoring

ETA car warranty pays for parts and labour following any
mechanical or electrical breakdown, which can save you thousands
in repair costs. Furthermore, by keeping your car on the road
longer you are reducing its life-long carbon footprint. Find out more