LEVC, the company behind the TX London taxi, has launched a small van. Meet the LCV – based on the familar, eco-friendly cab, and revealed by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan.

‘The clean and green urban delivery van of tomorrow is here,’ says LEVC. Like the TX cab, the ‘Light Commercial Vehicle’ uses the e-City range extender powertrain.

That means batteries and an electric motor, in combination with a petrol engine, for a total of 80 miles electric range, plus a total range of 377 miles.

What makes this powertrain well-suited for a London cab, also works for a small delivery van. Eighty miles of electric range could see delivery drivers in the capital through an entire day before the petrol engine is called upon.

At present, the UK market for small vans is around 50,000 vehicles a year, while there are around 65,000 unique LCV journeys in London every day. That must amount to hefty ULEZ and congestion charge fees, all of which the LEVC LCV can avoid.

The LCV is targeted to achieve a best-in-class total cost of ownership, compared with conventional petrol and diesel-powered vans. Durability is said to be world-class.

Along with the £3,500 scrappage incentive, plus up to £8,000 granted for ‘New Energy’ van adoption, the LCV could be a tempting prospect indeed for urban businesses.

Van drivers should also be happy. The LCV has been benchmarked against premium MPVs for comfort and ease-of-operation on the inside. The TX cab’s super-tight turning circle features, too.

“The light commercial vehicle sector is the only growing vehicle traffic segment in London,” said LEVC CEO, Joerg Hofmann.

“This is due to the rapid rise in internet shopping – the Amazonisation of retail. Every day there are 65,000 unique LCV journeys into London, but mobility must not come at the expense of air quality.

“We have combined our existing knowledge of the urban environment with EV technology that can put urban mobility on a sustainable pathway. Durable, reliable, efficient, cost-effective and high quality, that is our new LCV.

“London and the UK will be first to market, then we will extend the vehicle to Europe and further afield. Our goal is to be the leading European electric commercial vehicle provider.”

In 2017, motorcyclists accounted for 19 percent of all deaths on the roads of Great Britain, which is why the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has created a series of ‘thought-provoking’ videos.

The videos will become part of DVSA’s learning materials, but will not feature in the theory test. Instead, the DVSA hopes they will encourage learner drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists when driving.

Motorcyclists account for just one percent of all road traffic in Britain, which makes the 19 percent death rate all the more alarming. In 2017, 2,656 motorcyclists were involved in accidents resulting from a driver or rider failing to look properly.

‘Devastating consequences’

The videos have been created with the help of road safety campaigner and motorcyclist Ria Brisland. 

Ria’s son, Nik, died in April 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car while riding his motorbike. 

Ria said: “Getting everyone to be aware of their fellow road users at all times is essential if we are to prevent collisions and the devastating consequences they can have on families.

“These new clips are thought-provoking and will make a difference to the way people look for bikers. They may prove the difference between life and death.”

Road safety minister Michael Ellis added: “Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but still far too many vulnerable people are involved in fatal and serious injury collisions each year.

“After reading Ria’s story and her concerns for fellow bikers, I was determined to help her and I am delighted that these clips will now be seen by millions of learners, helping improve road safety.”

Advice for road users:

• Always look for motorcyclists before emerging from a junction
• When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing
• Check mirrors and blind spots carefully

In July 2018, the government published its Road to Zero strategy, pledging to make almost every car and van zero-emissions by 2050.

But new analysis from the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) shows that issues with taxation, charging point infrastructure and vehicle supply are ‘putting the brakes’ on UK EV registrations.

The BVRLA – which represents fleets that own or operate nearly five million cars and vans – is urging the government to ‘supercharge its electric vehicle strategy’ in order to meet its Road to Zero deadline.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling launched Road to Zero last year with an ambition for at least 50 percent – and as many as 70 percent – of new car sales to be ultra-low-emissions (ULEVs) by 2030.

Grayling said: “The Road to Zero Strategy sets out a clear path for Britain to be a world leader in the zero-emission revolution – ensuring that the UK has cleaner air, a better environment and a stronger economy.”

The BVRLA analysis uses a scorecard to chart the progress of the Road to Zero strategy, with the government said to be falling behind in the following key areas:

• Tax policy: persuading large fleet buyers to go electric is one of the fastest ways to boost the number of electric vehicles on the road. A lack of clarity about what taxes will be levied on the buyers and users of EVs in future years means many fleet buyers are holding back
• Charge point access: there are still too many rapid charge point ‘blackspots’ and the ability to roam between different charging networks remains a challenge
• Leading by example: the government set a target to make 25 percent of its car fleet ULEV by 2022, but recent data indicates that only two percent are ULEVs, placing the Government way behind on its own plans

Fleets are ‘desperate and frustrated’

Gerry Keaney, BVRLA chief executive, said: “Fleets across the UK have committed to this transition and are leading the zero-emission vehicle surge.

“Our research has found that they are desperate for clarity on future taxation and incentives, want better access to public charging and are frustrated at lead-times of over 12 months for the most popular EVs.”

The BVRLA has three recommendations to ‘get the UK’s electric vehicle strategy back on track’. These are:

• Providing a five-year road map for motoring taxes and EV incentives
• Setting a national quota for EV registrations that ramps up between now and 2030
• Mandating universal methods of access and payment for public charge points

Details of the Road to Zero strategy can be found here.

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After years of grumbles from enthusiasts, Porsche has reintroduced a powerful six-cylinder engine option for its entry-level 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman ranges.

The open-top Porsche 718 Spyder (pictured below) and 718 Cayman GT4 coupe (pictured above) both use a new 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, derived from the engine in the 911 Carrera.

However, unlike as in the 911 (and other 718 models), it produces its 420 horsepower without the use of a turbo.

Purists and enthusiasts are already rejoicing.

• In pictures: 20 years of the Porsche Boxster

The new 4.0-litre 718 models represent a rare example of upsizing in the modern automotive industry. They sit above the core (and controversial) 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre four-cylinder 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models.

The new engine revs to a wailing 8,000rpm. A manual six-speed gearbox is also standard.

Porsche can justify the thirsty 25.7mpg fuel economy and 249g/km CO2 emissions of each model because they are specialist models for enthusiasts and collectors.

(It does add that a gasoline particulate filter system is standard, so exhaust emissions are as clean as can be.)

Both are on sale now: the Porsche 718 Spyder costs £73,405 and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 costs £75,348.

Porsche 718 Spyder

The Porsche 718 Spyder is described by Porsche as thrilling road-going driver’s car. It has a simpler, more lightweight convertible roof than the 718 Boxster it’s derived from, evoking the Porsche 550 Spyder made famous (infamous?) by James Dean.

The roof gives a distinctive look both up and down. It is not electrically operated, but Porsche promises it can be manually stowed “in just a few steps”. The roof also copes with high speeds; some earlier Spyders only did maximum speed with the roof down.

It will do 187mph flat-out, and accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds.

A rear spoiler raises at 74mph, making the 718 Spyder the first car in the Boxster family to generate downforce at speed.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is called Porsche’s “entry-level GT street car”. The previous GT4 model was a cult collectable and the firm hopes this new one, 35 horsepower more powerful than its predecessor, will follow suit.

A very distinctive body kit marks out the 718 Cayman GT4. It generates up to 50 percent more downforce.

Aerodynamics are helped by a clever single chamber exhaust silencer in the rear arch, which frees up space for a huge underbody diffuser. This alone generates 30 percent of the downforce at the rear of the 718 Cayman GT4.

The fixed wing creates 20 percent more downforce than the old GT4 – equalling an extra 12kg of downward pressure on the rear wheels at 124mph.

A GT-style front end balances the rear aerodynamics with a bigger front spoiler and ‘air curtains’ to smooth airflow over the front wheels.

Shared suspension

For the first time, the track-inspired 718 Cayman GT4 shares a chassis with the road-focused 718 Spyder.

The cars sit 30mm lower and adaptive Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard. Motorsport-spec ball join suspension links are used, and the electronic control systems can be deactivated for use on the circuit.

Uprated aluminium monoblock fixed-caliper brakes are fitted, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are optional.

Porsche has already taken the 718 Cayman GT4 to the Nürburgring, and says its time is 10 seconds faster than its predecessor. Special ‘ultra high performance’ tyres contribute to this; they’re also fitted to the 718 Spyder.

For those with serious track intent, a Clubsport package is available on the Cayman GT4, which includes a steel roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point seatbelt for the driver.

Newcastle is the best city for parking, according to research conducted by InsuretheGap.com.

The insurance company reached this conclusion following analysis of the number of parking spaces available per resident, the average walking distance from parking to central locations, and the price of parking for two hours.

With a score of 245, Newcastle is the pick of the parking, with the second highest number of parking spaces per resident and reasonably short walking times into the city.

Leicester finished second with a score of 240, ahead of Belfast, Bradford and Nottingham.

At the opposite end of the table, London is named the worst city for parking, with the capital slammed for the poor proximity of car parks to central locations and the steep cost of parking.

Two hours of parking in London costs an average of £11.25 – almost four times the amount paid in Newcastle.

Ben Wooltorton, chief operating officer of InsuretheGap.com, said: “Trying to find a parking space, especially one in a good location and at a reasonable rate, seems to be getting more difficult.

“This data highlights areas that are doing well in providing adequate parking for residents and visitors. The other end of the scale indicates where drivers might need to put in a little more research and planning to find the space they want”.

The best UK cities for parking

The study analysed the 20 most populous cities in the UK, based on population data from the Geographist. All parking data analysed was sourced from Parkopedia.

Hiring a supercar is as easy as renting a hatchback, says Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “Customers can live out their childhood fantasies” thanks to its Exotic Car Collection, it says.

Which is all fine and dandy, but hiring a supercar differs from renting a family hatch in one significant way: the price.

It’s predictable, really. You wouldn’t expect to hire an Aston for the same price as an Astra. 

Enterprise makes a proud boast that prices start from £100 a day, but for that price, you’ll be driving a BMW 4 Series M Sport on a Saturday or Sunday, and only after a £1,000 deposit. The minimum age is 30 and an excess of £1,400 applies to the 4 Series.

Granted, it’s a nice car, but it’s hardly the stuff childhood dreams are made of.

A Lamborghini Huracan will set you back £800 per day (£1,000 per weekday), or £4,900 a week. The deposit is a hefty £8,000, while the excess of £10,000 means that you’re likely to drive with due care and attention.

Further reading of the small print reveals that a minimum two-day rental applies to all cars. Who said living out your childhood fantasies would be cheap?

Other vehicles available via the Exotic Car Collection include the Ferrari 458 Spider, Aston Martin DB11, Audi R8 and a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

‘The best of both worlds’

Brian Swallow, Enterprise vice president of rental, said: “Most of us are familiar with the process of hiring a car, but the idea of renting a supercar or luxury vehicle may seem daunting to some.

“The Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise gives the best of both worlds, by offering some of the most premium vehicles on the planet but from a trusted household name millions of Britons already use.

“Exotic Car Collection is opening up this world to as many people as possible, enabling them to get behind the wheel of some of the most incredible vehicles around.

“Whether it is to live a childhood dream by getting your hands on a supercar, or making a grand impression for an important event, the Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise is here to make it happen, all with the premium service you would expect.”