Weekly News Roundup 04-03-22
BEV Brands
Fiat and Abarth have announced schemes to become a 100% Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) brand by 2027. In its annual report, Fiat set out its goal for the company to develop a “100% BEV portfolio by 2027 in Europe.”
Fiat already has three electric models on its production line. This includes the Fiat Electric 500 model was the best-selling BEV model in twelve countries last year. Last year this model sold 44,000 units worldwide.
The range also includes the electric Ducato and electric Scudo commercial vehicles.
Mini Parking
Tiny parking spaces perplexed drivers at the Belle Vue Short Stay. The parking bays in Saltash, Cornwall are so small they can only fit half a car in.
Social media was flooding with pictures of drivers trying to get their cars in the miniature spaces. One picture saw a car with both back wheels and boot sticking out of the parking space.
Locals have jokingly asked if the half-sized spaces “cost half the price”. The local council declined to comment.
TfL Funding Extended
The Government has agreed to extend emergency funding for Transport for London (TfL). This is the fourth extension to emergency funding for the transport agency.
This newest extension is worth £200 million and is expected to run until late June. Like many services, TfL is still feeling the financial backlash from the pandemic.
Since March 2020 TfL has received around £5 billion in emergency funding.
Telematics Helps Oxford Council Go Green
Oxford City Council has introduced telematics among their fleet. The council will use the data to help pinpoint which services could convert to electric vehicles (EVs).
This is part of the council to decarbonize the city by 2040. It will also help them see where their fleet can improve on driver behaviour and fuel efficiency for those that won’t switch to electric.
Comment
Transport manager at Oxford Direct Services, Owain Pearce said:
“With Webfleet reporting, we can see what daily ‘real world’ mileages are being achieved […]. Webfleet is helping us to educate our team and to predict how many charge points will be needed in the future.”
ScotZEB Fund Goes Live
The Scottish Government’s first phase of the Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) kicked into action last week.
The fund saw over £62 million awarded to greener transport options throughout the country.
The investment will help operators swap 276 old diesel buses with new battery-electric models.
It will also fund the charging infrastructure needed to support the fleets.
Comment
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said:
“Our Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund is successfully decarbonizing Scotland’s bus fleet faster than ever before and making a significant contribution to our Mission Zero ambition for Transport.”
M5 Roadworks
Road work plans got underway last weekend along the M5. Workers will close off the stretch of road in Worcestershire from 8 pm to 6 am on selected dates throughout the rest of the year.
The road is being closed off to install a central concrete barrier.
This is as part of a £15 million deal to improve road safety along the M5 network.
Comment
National Highways Project Manager, Colin Jackson, said:
“We know that the high-impact absorption design of concrete barriers significantly reduces the risk of vehicles colliding with traffic travelling on the opposite side of the road. By replacing the existing steel restraint in the central reservation, we’re also able toreduce the need for ongoing maintenance. This will keep it safe which means fewer roadworks in the location for routine maintenance.”
Zebra Crossing Conflict
A 79-year-old has battled Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council after they fined him for painting his own zebra crossing.
Mr Laurie Phillips painted a zebra crossing on the road outside his house after officials ignored repeated requests to install a crossing.
4 days later the council washed his painting away and brought him in for police questioning over allegations of criminal damage.
The council then fined Mr Philips £130. Fast forward 18 months and the BCP council decided to install their own road markings to encourage drivers to slow down.
Comment
Mr Philips said:
“It is just ironic that they washed away the signs that I made, saying they weren’t necessary, and 18 months later they are now painting their own signs. I think I did a better job of it the first time around – my markings were broader and took up more of the road.”
Weekly News Roundup 04-03-22