People who own electric cars could soon benefit from cheaper energy, as a result of so-called flexible charging. Regulator Ofgem has announced plans to encourage owners to recharge cars at times when electricity is cheaper. That could be in an off-peak period, or it could be at times when plenty of renewable energy is being… Continue reading Cheaper charging plans for electric cars
Author: BBC News
Aston Martin ‘sports car for the skies’
Luxury carmaker Aston Martin has unveiled plans for a personal aircraft dubbed a “sports car for the skies”. The company has teamed up with jet engine maker Rolls-Royce and engineering boffins at Cranfield University on the futuristic project. A concept aircraft was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow, but the consortium hopes to have a flying… Continue reading Aston Martin ‘sports car for the skies’
Tesla to build factory in Shanghai
Electric carmaker Tesla has signed an agreement with Chinese authorities to build a factory in Shanghai. The “Gigafactory” would be Tesla’s first outside of the US. It intends to be producing 500,000 vehicles within five years of construction, which is due to start in the “near future”, the company said in a statement. The move… Continue reading Tesla to build factory in Shanghai
Daimler races to keep up on driverless cars
Mercedes Benz owner Daimler and car supplier Bosch plan to launch a small fleet of driverless taxis in California in the second half of 2019. The move comes as the two firms race to catch up with competitors in the driverless technology industry. Daimler and Bosch have been working together on driverless technology since April… Continue reading Daimler races to keep up on driverless cars
BP fuel stations ‘can’t take card payments’
BP fuel stations across the UK are currently unable to accept card payments, Highways England has said in a tweet. The agency said all motorway service areas with BP fuel stations are affected by the problem. Currently the fuel stations are only able to accept cash payments for fuel, it said, but did not say… Continue reading BP fuel stations ‘can’t take card payments’
Airbus: Ministers have ‘no clue’ on Brexit
The chief executive of planemaker Airbus has accused the government of having no idea how to take the UK out of the EU without damaging the country. Tom Enders said it “still has no clue, or at least no consensus, on how to execute Brexit without severe harm”. He was speaking as ministers prepare to… Continue reading Airbus: Ministers have ‘no clue’ on Brexit
Uber overturns ban on operating in London
Uber’s ban on its licence by London’s transport regulator, Transport for London, (TfL) to operate in the city has been overturned in court. TfL refused to renew the licence when it ran out last September, saying the ride-hailing firm was not “fit and proper” to operate in the city. Following a court hearing, the company… Continue reading Uber overturns ban on operating in London
Tesla chief Elon Musk accuses worker of sabotage
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has accused an employee of carrying out “extensive and damaging sabotage” at the electric carmaker. In an email to staff, Mr Musk said an unnamed employee made unspecified coding changes to its manufacturing operating system and sent sensitive data to unnamed third parties. The company did not comment and the… Continue reading Tesla chief Elon Musk accuses worker of sabotage
Diesel emissions scandal: VW fined €1bn by German prosecutors
Car giant Volkswagen has been fined €1bn (£880m) by German prosecutors over its diesel emissions scandal. The Braunschweig public prosecutor said VW had sold more than 10 million cars between mid-2007 and 2015 that had emissions-test-cheating software installed. The car firm said it did not plan to appeal against the fine. Prosecutors said this meant… Continue reading Diesel emissions scandal: VW fined €1bn by German prosecutors
CBI chief: ‘Car firms face Brexit extinction’
Sections of the UK car industry face extinction unless the UK stays in the EU customs union, the president of the CBI has said. Paul Dreschler also said there was “zero evidence” that trade deals outside the EU will provide any economic benefit to Britain. But the government said it was “focused on delivering a… Continue reading CBI chief: ‘Car firms face Brexit extinction’