News

A new car that features a built-in mini-bar is likely to make the roads significantly safer; the concept design features a wrap-around seven-seat sofa, table, television and, crucially, the ability to drive itself. Fresh from its work on the Google phone, the American industrial design firm Mike and Maaike has unveiled its vision of...

Britons should take a driving test which involves a range of new elements, Graeme Trudgill, from the The British Insurance Brokers’ Association, has claimed. He commented that there should be reforms in this examination, with "more relevant" additions;“There should be tests for hazard perception, situational judgement...

A British-designed solar-powered car that is to compete in a 3,000km race across Australia uses half as much power as some kettles. The 60mph “Endeavour” solar racing car uses 6-square-metre covering of high-efficiency silicon cells to power a modest 2 horsepower electric motor. It was created by Cambridge University students. In order to...

Fast food chain McDonalds is to open a ‘green’ restaurant that uses solar tubes to pipe natural light into the premises, sunflower-seed board and bamboo fittings and a re-charging facility for the drivers of electric vehicles. As the world’s largest franchise, with restaurants in 120 countries and 1.5 million employees, McDonalds’s demand...

The case of a man who has been found to be over the legal alcohol limit while driving on nine occasions should act as a warning to others, a top police officer has said. Chief superintendent Brian Anderson made the comments in reference to John Morrison, who was recently sentenced to eight months in prison for latest of these incidents. The...

The demand for bicycles in Britain has tripled in the past year, leading to shortages of certain models of bike. Bicycle sales are a seasonal affair, but given the slump in high street spending this year it is particularly impressive that annual sales soared in June by more than 20 per cent. A poll this month by the Association of Cycle...

Drivers should not cut corners when it comes to car cover, according to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association. Steve Foulsham, technical services manager for the body, commented that there are concerns that people may take this route during the recession. However, he said that those cutting corners on policies may be in for...

Northern Ireland’s environment minister has warned motorists over the dangers of drink-driving. Edwin Poots was commenting on the issue as a new road safety media campaign is being launched. He pointed out the impairment those who drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel suffer. Mr Poots said: "Drivers who buy and consume a...

As Spain and the Czech Republic become the latest nations to offer car ‘scrappage’ schemes, Italy is offering its travelling public an altogether greener alternative by becoming the first European country to subsidise the cost of bicycles. The Italian government has made available £8m to subsidise the purchase price of bicycle or electric...

The government’s preoccupation with electric vehicles (EVs) not yet on the market is at the expense of the environment according to Britain’s leading supplier of battery-powered cars and vans. Aixam Mega says that government electric vehicle programmes and incentives focus exclusively on technology that is still a long way from being...