Improvements in fuel efficiency hit petrol sales

Fuel sales have fallen significantly over the last five years as a result of a higher frequency of fuel efficient cars and rises in the price of oil.

Forecourts in the UK have seen their petrol and diesel sales fall by a massive 20 per cent, from 37.6bn litres in 2007 to 34.2bn litres last year, according to the AA.

Diesel use appears to be growing rapidly and is not far from replacing petrol as the most popular fuel. Petrol sales fell from 22.9bn litres to 17.4bn litres, while diesel rose from 14.8bn to 16.7bn. This is a result of a higher number of fuel efficient diesel vehicles currently on the road.

An AA spokesperson said:

"Greater take-up of diesel cars and smaller petrol vehicles has contributed to this overall decline in UK fuel sales over the long term," said AA president Edmund King in a statement.

"However, soaring pump prices have taken a huge toll on petrol sales more recently - during the 10p-a-litre price surges last March and October, pump sales of petrol fell by up to five per cent."

As the world recovers from recession, it is likely that the price of oil will rise further:

"The trouble is that, with global economic recovery, the stock market will predict greater oil and fuel demand and push up commodity values accordingly," he said.

Green campaigners will welcome these new figures, with evidence suggesting that fuel efficient vehicles are becoming more and more popular:

"Whenever we poll our members almost everyone is considering fuel efficiency for their next car, you can see from the carbon emission data for new cars that we are burning less fuel," said the AA.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently confirmed that average CO2 emissions for new cars have fallen almost 23 per cent in the last decade. The current average 133.1g/km CO2 is close to meeting the EU’s requirement of 130g/km for all automakers to achieve by 2015.

Electric cars are now growing in popularity, with Nissan recently announcing that it will bring production of their Leaf car to Britain, at their plant in Sunderland.

Consumers are now taking advantage of a booming car market to trade-in their old cars for more fuel-efficient alternatives.

Car sales increase again as economic recovery continues

Car sales increased again last month, fuelling beliefs that the economy is back on track following recession.

New vehicle sales increased almost 15 per cent in April compared to the same time last year; the strongest sales growth in 14 months, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT).

2013 year-to-date new car sales have increased 8.9 per cent on 2012, in contrast to the rest of the European Union where sales have been declining since early 2010. The SMMT has raised its full-year forecast to 2.1m car sales this year, a 3 per cent increase on 2012.

This is particularly good news for the government’s austerity campaign; car sales are a useful indication of the health of the overall economy and Britain is clearly on track for further growth. The car industry also currently accounts for almost 750,000 jobs and a tenth of total exports in the UK.

Of the 163,357 vehicles registered in April, 81,753 were private sales and 75,067 were fleet sales. Popularity seems to be for small, economical cars, with the Ford Fiesta selling 8,083 units, Vauxhall Corsa (6,084), Ford Focus (5,944) and the Volkswagen Golf (5,283).

Mike Baunton, interim chief executive of the SMMT, said the UK car market is performing “surprisingly strongly” when compared with the rest of the European Union. Last year the UK became the second largest car market in the EU, behind Germany.

“While the headline increase was up almost 15 per cent there were more sales days this year than last,” said Baunton.

“The UK continues to perform well ahead of the troubled eurozone as consumer confidence, regular purchase cycles, attractive finance deals and wider market factors continue to make new car buying favourable for motorists.”

Petrol cars increased at double the rate of diesels, while sales of alternative fuel cars were up marginally at one per cent.

The market is still falling behind peak pre-recession levels, with forecasted total 2013 sales likely to be around 300,000 units short. However this is clearly positive news, with many consumers confident that now is the right time to trade-in their vehicles for a newer model.

Car sharing requires affiliation and more incentives, says Carplus

Car sharing schemes should be developed through an accredited standards body, providing quality assurances and better incentives for drivers, according to Carplus, the car club and ride sharing charity.

Carplus’ interim report hopes to assess how best to encourage and develop journey-sharing in order to help solve UK road congestion and associated environmental issues.

The report, entitled ‘Where is 2+ car sharing headed?’, combines research from the Ride Share Working Group, a group of industry stakeholders including ACT Travelwise, Ways2Work and Carplus.

The report suggests the creation of an industry body that would develop and oversee a range of service providers, developing recognised standards and codes of practice.

Carplus also says the market could be expanded through the creation of a recognised ‘2+ car sharing’ brand accreditation, combined with effective marketing communications, to develop awareness and participation. Members should also be given better incentives such as free parking and lane allocation.

Carplus was established in 2000 to encourage the development of car clubs and ride-sharing schemes in Britain, as a result of growing environmental concerns around private car use.

With travel costs continuing to rise faster than inflation and air pollution causing environmental damage and health issues, Carplus feels it is now more important than ever to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Chas Ball, Chief Executive at Carplus said:

“We believe that through establishing an agreed platform, the sector will be better placed to secure a growth in support for journey sharing activities and policies.

“As the effects of the recession and rising energy costs impact on the cost of commuting and discretionary travel, this sector can make a greater contribution to mobility,” he adds.

Carplus’ final report will be published in summer 2013. Additional views are now being sought from journey sharing commissioning bodies, transport authorities, or other interested parties within the journey sharing sector.

‘The Future of Journey Sharing’ consultation meeting also took place in London last month, allowing interested parties to discuss their findings and present their views on the report’s proposals.

Car sharing is another way in which consumers can reduce their environmental impacts. You can trade-in your old vehicle and begin car sharing today!

RAC to launch a smart driving device

A new range of software apps, linked to a device plugged directly into your car's computer, are being developed, hoping to make drivers' lives a little easier.

The RAC has announced plans to begin selling the Advance device, which utilises applications that monitor data such as speed, fuel efficiency, airbags, lights and brakes.

The RAC has already installed the tiny device, which will work in all cars built in Europe since 2001, in 1,700 patrol vehicles, and plans to offer them to consumers later this year.

RAC commercial director, Kerry Michael, said:

"We would be able to remotely monitor the car so that if you've left your lights on, we'd be able to send you an alert to warn you."

The system is similar to Automatic Link, an American version of the technology which sends driver information directly to your smartphone.  The system is much like an iPhone for driving, providing access to a higher level of data and communications on the move.

The system will automatically call for emergency services in the event of a crash, by detecting rapid deceleration and the deployment of your airbag.

Users may also be able to add a marker on their smartphone's map to record where they have parked their vehicle.

For RAC members, the box will communicate information with service staff, allowing vehicle faults to be diagnosed quickly in the event of a breakdown.

British-based Masternaut already offer similar systems to measure the performance of fleet vehicles. The RAC's box, now comparatively cheaper to produce and easier to install, will allow the technology to reach the wider consumer market, and no doubt be offered by other manufacturers.

Consumers using such a device could find their fuel bills falling dramatically - the RAC predicts the average driver could save up to £620 a year by driving more efficiently. The data could also be used to help police and insurance companies generate evidence, by assessing the speed of a vehicle prior to a crash.

Although the RAC is yet to announce a launch date for Advance, it is likely to be coming to a road near you soon. However, devices like Advance may not work on your car unless you have a relatively new model; you may need to trade-in your old vehicle for something new. 

London congestion charge discount only available to ultra-low carbon cars

Discounts to the London Congestion Charge will change in order to benefit only the most carbon-friendly vehicles.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will introduce the Ultra-Low Emissions Discount (ULED) in order to reduce the number of diesel cars driving into the capital.

It is hoped this will encourage consumers to trade-in their conventional vehicles and encourage the purchase of zero and ultra-low emission vehicles.

Under the new rules, only pure electric vehicles, and those which emit 75g/km or less of CO2, will qualify for the discount; they must also meet the Euro V emission standard for air quality.

The ULED, to be introduced on July 1^st, will take over from the Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD) and the Electric Vehicle Discount (EVD).

The GVD had a less stringent carbon threshold of 100g/km CO2. Those cars who no longer qualify for the new scheme will be allowed to extend their discount for a further three years before being made to pay.

Approximately 23,000 previously exempt motorists will now need to pay the congestion charge.  Many hybrid cars will also have to pay, including the Toyota's Prius and the Fiat 500 TwinAir.

Consumers will also no longer be able to pay their charges in shops, a method which currently accounts for only six per cent of total payments.

An increase in the level of penalty charges, from £120 to £130, will also occur, following a 12-week consultation process which sought the views of Londoners, firms and other stakeholders.

Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor of London's advisor on the Environment, said: “These changes are in line with the Mayor's aim to improve air quality in London by reducing emissions from private vehicles and promoting the further development of low emission vehicles.

“We want to encourage the continued development of these technologies, while also protecting the benefits to traffic flow in the centre of London that the charge provides.”