Plug-in hybrids return “worryingly-high fuel consumption and emissions” compared to diesel models, a company which monitors fuel usage for fleets and company car drivers claims.

The Miles Consultancy (TMC) analysed real-world fuel consumption data on 14 hybrid models and seven plug-in hybrids using its mileage capture and audit system, which holds detailed records of fuel transactions and total mileage for each vehicle.

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On average, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the sample returned less that 45.0mpg, compared to their average NEDC figure of 130mpg. The official NEDC test is known to be unsuitable for plug-in hybrids as a large part of the test can usually be carried out under electric-power alone, skewing the average fuel consumption results.

This average fuel use equates to actual CO2 emissions of 168g/km – higher than the real-world emissions of most diesel company cars, says TMC. The diesels’ emissions averaged 159g/km.

“There is a real risk that fleet managers are adopting a PHEV strategy for completely the right reasons but unknowingly actually increasing their fuel bills,” said TMC managing director, Paul Hollick.

“PHEVs can be a cost-effective choice where drivers cover only moderate mileages; but only if the cars’ batteries are recharged daily. On the evidence of our sample, one has to question whether some PHEVs ever see a charging cable. In a lot of cases, we see PHEVs never being charged, doing longer drives and this is not a good fit for a lot of business car users. A robust PHEV deployment policy is essential.”

The research also revealed that drivers of standard hybrid cars used around 10 percent less fuel on their day-to-day journeys than drivers of plug-in hybrids. In real-world use, drivers of plug-in hybrids consumed three more fuel than official figures would suggest.

Opinion: This proves that PHEVs aren’t right for everyone

Just like electric vehicles aren’t right for everyone, neither are plug-in hybrids. For company car drivers, or anyone who regularly covers long distances where stopping every 30 miles to charge isn’t practical, plug-in hybrids will prove to be thirstier than an equivalent diesel.

That’s not to say everyone should dismiss a plug-in hybrid as their next car. If you’re able to have a charge point fitted at home and most of your journeys are short (less than about 30 miles), you’ll be able to complete most of your journeys under electric power. Unlike electric-only vehicles, though, you’ll have the back up of a conventional engine for the occassional longer journey. We ran a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for six months and found that, under these circumstances, it worked well.

The company that has provided this research monitors fuel use for fleets, and it’s true that fleet managers should question the intended use of the car if a plug-in hybrid is being considered. While current company car tax rules favour plug-in hybrids due to their supposed low CO2 emissions, new regulations being introduced in 2020 will penalise plug-in hybrids with a short electric-only range. We suspect diesel cars aren’t going to waiver in popularity for high-mileage users any time soon.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.

Ever wondered if a Land Rover Discovery is a tad overkill for lugging a four-berth caravan to a home counties campsite? Well, a 2018 Disco 5 has successfully lugged a 110-tonne road train across the Australian Outback.

The PR stunt (a way of drawing attention away from its offset rear number plate, perhaps?) saw a 3.0-litre Discovery TD6 tow a truck with seven (count ’em, seven!) trailers for nearly 10 miles along a closed section of the Lasseter Highway.

Although road trains are normally limited to four trailers in the Australian Outback, Land Rover obtained special permission to tow seven trailers as well as the 12-tonne tractor unit. This was retained to operate the hydraulic brakes fitted to the trailers. The road train was also carrying 10-tonnes of ballast.

With 258hp and 443lb ft torque, the Discovery TD6 can legally tow up to 3,500kg on public roads. The car used in the stunt kept its standard eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system and was hooked up to the road train using a factory-fitted tow bar attachment.

“Towing capability has always been an important part of Discovery DNA and the raw weight of the road train tells only half the story here,” said Land Rover product engineer, Quentin Spottiswoode. “Pulling a rig and seven trailers, with the rolling resistance of so many axles to overcome, is a huge achievement. We expected the vehicle to do well but it passed this test with flying colours, hitting 44km/h [27mph] along its 16km [9.9 mile] route.”

The Discovery is available with Advanced Tow Assist technology, which uses the rear camera to take the stress out of reversing trailers. You can even steer the vehicle using the rotary Terrain Response 2 controller on the centre console, while the system provides assistance, calculating steering inputs required to achieve the desired outcome.

Improvements for the 2018 model year include the addition of a 300hp four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and a new TFT display cluster in place of conventional dials.

Changes to the UK driving test will prepare new motorists for ‘real life driving’, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

From 4 December 2017, the so-called ‘show me, tell me’ part of the test will change, with new drivers expected to complete the ‘show me’ test while driving. One question will be asked, which could include how to operate the horn, open the side window or switch on the headlights.

In the new test, the examiner will ask the ‘tell me’ question at the start of the examination, before any driving takes place. Examples include how to check the brake lights, the oil level or tyre tread depth.

“DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving,” said chief driving examiner, Lesley Young. “It’s important that learner drivers work with their driving instructor to make sure they can operate the in-car controls safely whilst they’re driving.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI08tzIfo4c

The DVSA has published two videos showing new drivers how to carry out these basic safety tasks. Simple they might be, but the DVSA has warned that if a candidate loses control of the car while answering the ‘show me’ question, it will result in a serious or dangerous fault. In other words: the candidate fails the test.

The changes to the ‘show me, tell me’ section of the exam are part of a series of updates to the UK driving test, including increasing the length of independent driving to 20 minutes, following directions from a sat-nav and changes to the reversing manoeuvre.

Carly Brookfield, chair of the steering group for national approved driving instructor associations (NASP), is behind the changes, saying: “Whilst in-car, on the road practice with a professional driver trainer is an important part of delivering safer drivers to our busy roads, we also recommend the use of supplementary learning resources such as ‘how-to’ videos from authoritative sources in driver education.”

Further details of the changes to the driving test can be found on the government website, but here are the ‘show me, tell me’ questions in full:

‘Show me’ (one question, during test)

• When it’s safe, show me how you’d wash and clean the rear windscreen.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d wash and clean the front windscreen.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d set the rear demister.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d operate the horn.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d demist the front windscreen.
• When it’s safe, show me how you’d open and close the side window.

‘Tell me’ (one question, before test)

• Tell me how you’d check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
• Tell me where you’d find the car’s recommended tyre pressures and how you’d check each tyre.
• Tell me how you’d make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection.
• Tell me how you’d check the tyre have sufficient tread depth and are in a safe condition.
• Tell me how you’d check the headlights and tail lights are working.
• Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
• Tell me how you’d check the indicators are working.
• Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working.
• Tell me how you’d check the power steering is working before starting a journey.
• Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you’d use them.
• Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient oil.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient coolant.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

All cars over 40 years old are soon be exempt from the annual MOT roadworthiness test – despite most classic car drivers thinking it’s a bad idea.

More than 2,000 members of the public took part in an official consultation, with more than half stating that they were against the proposals. A total of 1,130 respondents opposed plans to introduce a rolling exemption for vehicles over 40 years old, with many stating that all vehicles travelling on public roads should have an annual test for safety reasons. By comparison, 899 respondents said they thought the proposals were a good idea.

The Government has today announced that it will proceed with the exemption for all vehicles constructed or first registered more than 40 years ago, on a rolling basis. Currently, all cars registered before 1960 are exempt from the MOT test, meaning there are roughly 197,000 vehicles on the road that don’t need to be MOTed.

This change in the law will mean a further 293,000 vehicles (one percent of all cars on the road) won’t need an MOT.

Justifying the decision, the Department for Transport said most cars of this age are usually well maintained and only used occasionally, making it ‘unreasonable’ to require an MOT. It also said the modern MOT was ‘no longer relevant’ to older cars.

“We would like to thank all those who responded to the consultation for their valuable input, and have noted the views expressed,” said roads minister, Jesse Norman MP. “After considering the responses, we have decided to exempt most vehicles over 40 years old from the requirement for annual roadworthiness testing.

“Vehicles that have been substantially changed, regardless of their age, will not be exempt from annual roadworthiness testing.”

Owners of classic cars that fall into the exemption will be able to submit their cars for a voluntary MOT, despite it not being a legal requirement.