Supermarkets are “taking advantage” of drivers by charging “far higher” fuel prices than they should be, a motoring services company has said.
The RAC accused the UK’s biggest fuel retailers of refusing to lower their pump prices despite a drop in wholesale costs.
It said supermarkets’ profit margins are around 15p per litre for petrol and diesel.
This means customers are being charged an “unnecessarily high” average price of 161.0p per litre for petrol and 184.4p for diesel.
This is only 2p per litre lower than the average for all UK forecourts.
Supermarkets normally charge around 3.5p per litre less than the UK average.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “With many people struggling to put fuel in their cars, it’s very sad to see the biggest fuel retailers taking advantage of their customers by charging far higher prices than they should be.
“This is unfortunately a perfect example of prices falling like a feather, the opposite of them rocketing up as soon as the wholesale price rises significantly.
“The supermarkets dominate UK fuel retailing, primarily because they have traditionally sold petrol and diesel at lower prices due to the large volumes they sell.
“Sadly there is now a remarkable lack of competition among the four main players which means prices are far higher than they should be.
“There are smaller, independent forecourts offering more competitive prices than supermarkets, so drivers should shop around.”
Cutting speed limits on urban roads to 20mph does not significantly improve safety, a new report suggests.
Researchers analysed data from before and after the limit was introduced on 76 roads in central Belfast in 2016.
The study found “little impact on long-term outcomes” in the city.
Comparisons with streets in the surrounding area and elsewhere in Northern Ireland that retained their 30mph or 40mph limit showed there were “no statistically significant differences” in terms of the number of crashes, casualty rates or average traffic speed.
Roads with a 20mph limit did experience a reduction in traffic, according to the report published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
The authors of the report, who include Professor Ruth Hunter of Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Ruth Jepson of the University of Edinburgh, noted that their research was smaller in scale than some other studies on the topic.
The report said that 20mph limits could be combined with other measures such as driver training, CCTV and police communications to “facilitate an ambitious culture change that shifts populations away from the car-dominant paradigm”.
It added that reducing speed limits is “not simply a road-safety intervention” but can be “part of the fundamental reset of the way we choose our life priorities – people before cars”.
Schemes to cut speed limits to 20mph have become increasingly popular in the UK and other parts of Europe in recent years as part of effort to reduce crashes and injuries.
The Welsh Government has committed to lowering speed limits to 20mph on all roads in the country where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists.
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “The findings of this study are surprising as they appear to suggest that drivers on 20mph roads in Belfast hardly slowed down at all, despite the lower speed limit, which is at odds with other reports.
“It seems there is a serious problem with compliance as we would expect that even without enforcement, average speeds would drop.
“Consequently, the study may demonstrate a need for councils to find other ways to get drivers to slow down, whether that’s through enforcement or modifying road design with traffic islands, well-designed speed humps or chicanes.”
Mary Williams, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, described 20mph limits as “life-saving”, particularly for pedestrians and people riding bicycles and motorbikes.
She added: “It is a matter of physics. At speeds of 20mph or less, drivers have significantly more chance to spot hazards and stop in time.
“The difference between a 20mph limit and a 30mph limit is a doubled stopping distance.”
The Funky Cat is a new electric hatchback from GWM Ora, but what does this quirky-looking EV feel like to drive? James Batchelor finds out.
What is it?
Good question as it’s one we’d reckon most people will have on their lips, too. The Funky Cat comes from one of China’s leading carmakers, Great Wall Motor, while Ora is its EV-only brand. The firm hopes to finally establish itself in Europe and the UK as an alternative to more traditional brands, and the family hatchback-sized Funky Cat is its first move.
It’s on sale now from three dealers, but GWM Ora UK plans to add more showrooms and models, including a Porsche Panamera-esque electric coupe-saloon, in 2023. Does it stand a chance against an increasingly impressive pool of European EVs? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
Great Wall has been in the UK before with its rather underwhelming Steed pick-up, but this time around it’s going after the electric hatchback customer with its Ora brand. That’s no easy feat as this sector is dominated by the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, Vauxhall’s Corsa-e and Mini Electric.
There’s also the small matter of the MG4 – a car built by GWM’s big Chinese rival SAIC, and one which undercuts nearly all of its competition on price and electric driving range.
What’s under the bonnet?
When GWM Ora first hinted it was bringing its Funky Cat to the UK, there was talk of a low entry price and two battery options – 48kWh and 63kWh. For the time being, however, only the smaller battery is on offer, paired with a 169bhp electric motor that powers the front wheels.
In terms of charging, an 80 per cent top-up with a standard home wallbox will take five hours and 24 minutes, while a three-phase 11kW on-street charger cuts that down to three hours and 12 minutes. The Funky Cat can only charge up to speeds of 64kW, so plug into a 100kW ultra-rapid charger and an 80 per cent fill-up will take around 45 minutes.
Lastly, you’ll be able to squeeze a claimed 193 miles out of the 48kWh battery, while 261 miles is claimed for the forthcoming 63kWh version.
What’s it like to drive?
With its cutesy, unthreatening image, it would be easy to dismiss the Funky Cat as not much cop to drive. But that’s the first surprise as it’s rather entertaining, with sharp steering, a very balanced and comfortable ride, and more than enough poke.
A 0-60mph time of just over eight seconds is nothing to write home about for an EV, but it certainly feels quicker than that, and there’s a pleasing linear feel to the way it accelerates; even selecting the ‘Sport’ setting doesn’t pin the driver to their seat.
How does it look?
It’s the styling that really marks out the Funky Cat. You see, while most electric family hatchbacks favour a modern, even futuristic look, GWM Ora has gone for a more retro look.
The huge headlamps and curvy bonnet perhaps ape a Porsche 911, and two of the four colour combinations offered have a slightly ’50s Americana flavour to them. That said, the rear light bar is more on trend, even if it does strobe like KITT from Knight Rider.
What’s it like inside?
The first surprise is how well the Funky Cat drives, and the second is how plush it is on the inside. There’s a solid feel to the interior – the doors thunk as they do in an ID.3, but the material quality far exceeds the German electric hatchback in every respect.
Most surfaces are either covered in stitched faux leather or squidgy soft-touch plastic, and the switchgear all feels good – the row of chrome ventilation controls are even Mini-like in look and feel. The Funky Cat gets two 10.25-inch screens and while there’s plenty of functionality, the menus are a little clunky and tricky to use on the move. And while we’re on the subject of things that could be better, the passenger space is more than adequate but the boot, at 228 litres, is a little on the small side.
What’s the spec like?
This is where the Funky Cat ends up having its tail between its legs, as for the time being there’s only one high-spec First Edition offered.
There’s no criticising the equipment that’s thrown in as standard, as the Funky Cat gets those screens, electrically adjustable front seats and a 360-degree parking camera. In fact, the parking aid is just the start as the Funky Cat has received a full NCAP five-star safety rating on account of its suite of safety gizmos. Features such as lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert with a braking function, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and lane change assist normally come as part of costly options pack on rivals, but not with the Funky Cat.
However, there’s a but. When the Funky Cat was first mooted for the UK, a price of £25,000 was hinted at, but this First Edition costs from £31,995. While cheaper versions are set to follow, that’s a whole heap of money for a car from an unknown brand. For comparison, an MG4 Trophy Long Range can travel further (270 miles) and costs £31,495, while a Cupra Born has a 20 per cent larger battery, is more powerful, costs just £4,500 more and is nicer to drive.
Verdict
It’s a shame GWM Ora has decided to offer such a high-spec First Edition trim level at the car’s launch, as the car’s high price relative to its 193-mile range and limited dealer network makes it a tough sell. Moreover, the car’s cutesy styling and quality interior are the only things that make it stand out in a marketplace that’s currently focused on range and affordability.
There’s a good car that drives very well beneath the lavish spec, though, and the Funky Cat – the name being a perfect example – does add a sense of fun and character to the typical family electric car that can very often come across as being a little straight-laced.
Forthcoming cheaper models will probably make more sense, but on this first impression, there is much to like about the Funky Cat.
The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner appeared to blame journalists for not covering Just Stop Oil protests “appropriately” after the force was heavily criticised for arresting members of the press.
David Lloyd admitted officers may have “got it wrong” after LBC’s Charlotte Lynch was detained as she tried to report on the demonstrations causing widespread disruption on the M25.
But he insisted journalists should be “thinking about” whether it was right to give the protests the “oxygen of publicity”.
The force prompted outrage after Ms Lynch described being handcuffed and left in a cell on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance despite having shown officers media accreditation.
Documentary maker Rich Felgate and photographer Tom Bowles were also arrested a day earlier for trying to capture footage of the activists in Hertfordshire.
The pair had their equipment seized and were taken to a police station, despite efforts to show their press cards and explain they were there in a journalistic capacity.
“I think we’ve just got to ask ourselves as a society if we are handling the Just Stop Oil appropriately by giving them the oxygen of publicity,” PCC Lloyd told LBC’s Nick Ferrari on Thursday.
Mr Ferrari replied: “I put it to you that you are far better versed in police affairs than I am, but perhaps in the news business I might just have the edge. This is news – if you close vast tracks of a 116-mile orbital road because of one particular protest… that’s what we in the business call news.”
But the commissioner doubled down on his criticism of the way events along the motorway had been covered in the media.
He drew a comparison with how he imagined the press would report on a person trying to take their own life on a ring road, which he did not think would be covered “in the same way”.
“The question I’m pushing back to you is that fine line between reporting the news and making the news and whether or not that is crossed on occasion by reporting it in such a sensational way,” he said.
“I recognise it’s news, I recognise it’s interesting. But it would similarly be news if a vast portion of an orbital motorway were closed because someone was trying to commit suicide.
“We wouldn’t be – you wouldn’t be reporting that in the same way, and I just think you need to think about it. I’m not saying anyone should have any control over it, I’m very much up for a free press, but I just think that voluntarily you should be thinking about how do we report that.”
It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined police chiefs in calling for press freedom after the arrests earlier this week.
Mr Sunak said it is “vital” that journalists are able to do their job freely, “without restriction”, as the chief constable of Hertfordshire Police called for a review into the arrests.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “I am cautious about commenting on specific incidents. Operational decisions are a matter for the police but the Prime Minister strongly believes in championing press freedoms.
“We wouldn’t want to see those freedoms impeded while journalists are going about their day-to-day business.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Press freedom is really important and you will often want to be – and quite rightly be – quite close to where difficult things are happening so you can report it well and I absolutely, absolutely support that.
“The principle that you’re going to be close to the action sometimes, and we should be sensitive to press freedom, of course, I completely agree with.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman later said the reports she had heard were “concerning”, but added that any investigation into what happened should be allowed “to run its course” without pre-judgment.
It came after Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper asked the Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans how the House could summon Ms Braverman to explain and apologise for the treatment of journalists covering protests given the “severity of the incidents”.
Hertfordshire Police, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, acknowledged that while the actions of its officers at the scene were “understandable”, Ms Lynch’s arrest “would not have been necessary”.
It added that extra measures are now in place to ensure that legitimate media can do their job, with officers instructed to ensure they conduct “full and thorough checks”.
The force said: “In addition, Mr (Chief Constable Charlie) Hall is requesting an independent force to examine our approach to these arrests and to identify any learning we should take in managing these challenging situations.”
A target response time for reaching drivers stranded on smart motorways has been met more than a year later than originally planned.
National Highways figures seen by the PA news agency show it took traffic officers an average of nine minutes and 49 seconds to attend to stopped vehicles on smart motorways without a hard shoulder in September.
The Government-owned company responsible for motorways and major A roads in England initially committed to reducing its average response time from 17 minutes in 2020 to 10 minutes by July 2021.
After failing to accomplish the goal by that deadline, in May it pledged to hit the target by the end of September.
The response time relates to stretches of all lane running (ALR) smart motorways where emergency areas are more than a mile apart.
National Highways said it is reaching stranded drivers more quickly after buying extra patrol vehicles and recruiting additional traffic officers.
It has also introduced satellite “outstations” and “park-up points” around the busiest smart motorway sections to make it easier for traffic officers to react to incidents.
National Highways executive director of operations Duncan Smith said: “We have made considerable progress cutting the average time it takes us to attend incidents on all lane running motorways, where emergency areas are more than a mile apart.
“In September, the national average attendance time was nine minutes and 49 seconds, greatly reduced from the original 17 minutes in 2020.
“We will continue to work hard to keep average attendance times to 10 minutes on these sections.”
Three other smart motorway safety improvements were also implemented by the end of September.
Stopped vehicle detection technology was retrofitted to all smart motorways without a hard shoulder.
Installation of additional signs showing the distance to the next emergency stopping area was completed, and all enforcement cameras were upgraded to enable detection of closed lane violations.
Around 10% of the motorway network is made up of smart motorways.
They involve various methods to manage the flow of traffic, such as converting the hard shoulder into a live running lane.
These ALR smart motorways boost capacity at a lower cost than widening roads.
But there have been long-standing fears about their safety following fatal incidents in which vehicles stopped in live lanes were hit from behind.
National Highways has insisted they are safer than conventional motorways.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Breaking down on a motorway can be a traumatic experience; however, if it happens in a live lane it can be truly terrifying.
“While much progress has been made on hitting other targets originally outlined following the Government’s evidence stocktake and average wait times are now down, it’s vital drivers are protected as quickly as possible.
“For anyone stranded in a live lane even a few minutes with fast-moving traffic going past must seem like a very long time.”
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has said the force is “determined to bring to justice” Just Stop Oil protesters who cause disruption on the M25 after 16 arrests were made on Tuesday.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said operations launched in response to the activists “come at a cost”, and police officers could otherwise be dealing with violent crime and safeguarding.
Just Stop Oil said “approximately 15” of its supporters climbed on to overhead gantries in “multiple locations” on the UK’s busiest motorway from 7am on Tuesday, causing police to halt traffic.
The Metropolitan Police said 16 protesters were arrested in a joint operation with neighbouring forces – including Essex Police, Surrey Police and Kent Police.
Meanwhile, eight people charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance following protest action on Monday are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
On Tuesday, Essex Police said a protester climbed on to the gantry at junction 31, causing the Dartford Tunnel to be closed.
In a statement following Tuesday’s arrests, Mr Twist said: “The Met, in a joint operation with neighbouring police forces, has again responded swiftly and robustly to today’s attempts by Just Stop Oil activists to disrupt the M25.
“We are all absolutely committed to providing a quick and effective response to those activists who continue to significantly disrupt people’s daily lives.
“Operations like these come at a cost. Since the start of October we have used more than 11,000 officer shifts to police Just Stop Oil protests. These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to local communities such as knife crime, safeguarding and responding to burglaries.
“We are determined to bring to justice all those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London and the motorway network and we’ll work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to make sure this happens.”
National Highways said earlier in the day there were delays of an hour, with congestion for five miles.
Just Stop Oil also targeted at least six other locations on the M25.
The Met said earlier: “We know how disruptive and distressing these road closures caused by protesters are to the traveling public.
“Please rest assured that when they occur, police will arrive quickly and deal quickly with the situation and get roads open again as soon as possible.”
The force said it deployed “specialist removal teams” to deal with the protesters.
It urged members of the public stuck in traffic to “stay in their cars and refrain from using the hard shoulder”.
Protests took place at 13 locations on the M25 on Monday.
Police believe some of those involved in the demonstrations could have breached a High Court injunction obtained by National Highways.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement: “We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.
“Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities.”
The Met is conducting an operation to foil the protests in conjunction with the National Police Coordination Centre.
Just Stop Oil staged 32 days of disruption from the end of September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged, and officers working a total of 9,438 additional shifts.
According to the group, Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested nearly 2,000 times since its campaign began on April 1, and five are currently in prison.
It warned the Government’s refusal to halt North Sea oil and gas extraction will contribute to global warming, which “will result in the collapse of ordered civil society, the loss of our rights and freedoms and the death of countless millions of people”.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said Just Stop Oil protesters do have a point “in (a) sense”.
He told Sky News: “I do think there’s a major issue when individuals can go on to motorways or even just outside Parliament, in fact, periodically, at will, just sit down in the middle of the road and disrupt the traffic – sometimes, indeed, emergency services get caught up in that as well.”
But when it was put to him that the environmental activists have a point, he said: “Well, they do in (a) sense. Couple of points… one is, absolutely, we are all determined, and this Government above all else is absolutely determined, to bear down on the use of fossil fuels.
“Second point I would make is that we do have to strike the right balance between the right of individuals to express their opinion and protest, which is absolutely fundamental to a civilised democracy – which is what we have in our country – and, at the other time, making sure that we don’t inconvenience the public or indeed endanger the public in some circumstances.”
A 92-year-old care home resident relived “happy memories” of his time as a racing driver after he was surprised with a trip around his local town in the latest Aston Martin.
The team at Care UK’s Weald Heights in Sevenoaks, Kent, gave John Morrell a day to remember as he found himself back behind the wheel of a sports car.
Mr Morrell, who lived in Singapore when he was younger, pursued his dream after being inspired by the country’s passion for motorsports and participated in racing tournaments, driving an Austin-Healey 100 and the Jaguar XK150.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon,” Mr Morrell said.
“It was a wonderful surprise and brought back so many happy memories from my racing days.”
After sharing stories about his time as a racing driver in the 1950s, he was taken for a whirl around the town as well as to Aston Martin Sevenoaks by a member of the dealership’s team to learn more about the history of the brand.
The home manager at Weald Heights said she was “delighted” to recreate the racing magic for Mr Morrell.
“We were delighted to create a memorable afternoon for John, which fulfilled his passion for motoring while providing an opportunity to reminisce on his time spent as a racing driver,” Maria Covington said.
“At Weald Heights, we regularly create thoughtful activities and events that promote positive wellbeing among the residents.
“The whole team look forward to learning more about the wonderful experiences the residents have enjoyed throughout their lives and creating imaginative activities that build on their talents.
“It was wonderful to see the smile on John’s face as he was chauffeured around Sevenoaks in true James Bond style.
“Step aside Daniel Craig, I think we may have found the next 007!”
A Welsh police force has spent almost £40,000 on four tuk-tuks which it claims will help officers fight crime.
Gwent Police revealed this month that it was rolling out the three-wheeled vehicles to patrol parks and other public spaces in Newport and Abergavenny in south-east Wales.
The rickshaw-style cars, known for their use as taxis primarily in Asian countries, will be deployed as “safe spaces” where people can report incidents and seek help if they are feeling unsafe.
The tuk-tuks were bought for £9,936 each, or a total of £39,744, according to a BBC Wales Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
A previous figure obtained through an FOI priced them at £16,974 each, just under £70,000 in total, but the force said that amount was incorrect.
The fleet was paid for by the Home Office from their Safer Streets programme, a fund aimed at tackling specific safety and crime prevention issues.
Officers and some Newport City Council employees will be able to drive the tuk-tuks in the day and night.
Their speed has been limited to 55 kilometres per hour, or just under 35 miles per hour.
Chief Inspector Damian Sowrey said members of the public have had the opportunity to see the tuk-tuks and the feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“They were on show at our Behind the Badge day, giving local residents the opportunity to see them up close and to hear more about how they will be used,” Mr Sowrey said.
“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with parents telling officers that they would feel safer knowing that there was support for young people out at night, and from women who could think of an occasion when the tuk-tuk would have been a welcome sight.”
Mahindra Electric, which provided the “e-autos”, announced their involvement in the initiative on Twitter, writing: “Autos have been used as public transportation but Gwent police has different plans for them.
“We’re proud to be a part of such a noble initiative.”
There has been some criticism of the fleet online, with one user saying it will turn the force into a “laughing stock”.
Others suggested the vehicles could be easily pushed over, or stolen and set alight by criminals.
One of the UK’s biggest EV charging providers has announced a reduction to its prices in response to the ongoing-cost-of-living crisis.
Osprey Charging says it will be cutting its prices to 79p per kilowatt hour (kWh) thanks to help from the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
The change will come into effect on November 1, after the firm was previously forced to up prices up to a maximum of £1 per kWh due to the rising cost of energy.
Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging said: “The team at Osprey has been working diligently throughout October with our energy supplier to get clarity on the government support to reduce the price burden on EV drivers.
“We have now achieved this reduction and are fulfilling the promise we made last month and passing on a saving to our customers immediately.
“We would like to thank all of our customers for their patience during these difficult times and understand that if drivers are to make the switch to electric, they need cheap, reliable charging points all over the UK.
“Our focus continues to be on building an EV charging infrastructure for the future that is accessible and safe for all.
“Over the next two years we will invest over £50m expanding our nation-wide public charging network, establishing the much-needed national infrastructure that all drivers can trust and rely on.”
The price that EV drivers pay at the charger comprises several aspects including the cost of electricity, the cost of installing infrastructure and the operation and maintenance of the charging network. There is also a 20 per cent VAT applied to public charging.
In addition, energy suppliers add on non-commodity costs, their own running costs and margin on top of wholesale electricity, to determine the price that businesses like Osprey pay.
The Tesla Model Y has become Europe’s best-selling new car for the very first time as EV sales continue to soar across the continent.
The luxury model shifted 29,367 units in the ninth month of the year, placing it well clear of the second-placed Peugeot 208 which sold just 19,601.
The incredible performance represents a 227 per cent rise for the Model Y with the SUV accounting for close to three in every 100 new cars registered in Europe last month.
It was a strong month for electrified models across the board, with the likes of the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.4 and the Fiat 500 Electric also seeing huge hikes.
Overall there were 160,869 BEVs registered in September with volume increasing by 15 per cent. They accounted for 15.6 per cent of all registrations – the second-largest monthly market share after December 2021.
Excluding Tesla, MG was among the top 10 brands with the highest percentage of BEVs as part of total registrations at 42 per cent. Renault followed with 18 per cent.
There was also increased demand for plug-in hybrids – of which the Ford Kuga was the most popular with 5,049 registrations, followed by the Kia Niro and Kia Sportage.
The volume of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles increased by seven per cent compared to September 2021with 87,712 registered units.
The data was collected by automotive market researchers Jato Dynamics, which put the increased market share for EVs down to falling production figures elsewhere.
Felipe Munoz, a global analyst with the company, said: “The market lost one million units per quarter over the last three years.
“While a catastrophe in terms of volume relative to production capacity, the majority of OEMs have now properly adapted to this new reality.”
